Looking to Transfer into an Occupational Therapy Program?
University of the Sciences now offers an accelerated pathway to the doctorate in occupational therapy (DrOT) program. It is the only entry-level DrOT program on the East Coast and one of only five entry-level professional doctoral programs in the country. We are still offering our MOT program to post-baccalaureate applicants, but why not spend only an extra year and come out with a doctorate? Below you will see what makes our program the best choice for completing your degree and also discover what you’ll need to transfer in as a first-, second-, or third-year student.
If you have completed your Bachelor’s degree already, click here to review important information.
Occupational therapy
Why earning a master’s or doctorate in occupational therapy at USciences makes sense:
- The only entry-level DrOT program on the East Coast and one of only five entry-level professional doctoral programs in the country
- Direct-entry program means automatic acceptance into the doctoral (or master’s) phase of the program on completion of the BSHS, with no further application, as long as you maintain minimum grade requirements
- Opportunity to earn a DrOT through our accelerated pathway, earning a BSHS in 3½ years, and the DrOT after 2½ years of additional study
- Employment opportunities in a fast-growing profession, where your DrOT will set you apart as a leader
- Preparation for both general practice and your choice of two specializations: community-based practice and leadership
- Two 3-month clinical internships (all programs) and one 4-month rotation (DrOT programs), which will complement your specialty area
Find out more about USciences’ occupational therapy program.
Students starting classes in the first or second year of the occupational therapy program will begin classes in the fall, while third year eligible and post-baccalaureate students will begin the professional phase of the OT program in late May.
Next steps?
- See requirements below for transfer into the first-, second-, or third-year of the occupational therapy program.
- Access our occupational therapy worksheet to use with your advisor to evaluate and plan your current coursework.
- Explore the full occupational therapy curriculum and course descriptions in our online catalog.
Click here to get started on your transfer to USciences’ occupational therapy program! The occupational therapy program has an application deadline of March 1.
How does your current coursework stack up?
Here are the courses we recommend taking before transferring into USciences’ occupational therapy program.
You are eligible for FIRST-YEAR CONSIDERATION for the DrOT if you have completed fewer than 30 credits of transferrable coursework at the collegiate level and meet our general admissions requirements. Please click here for more information on first year admission or call 888.996.8747 for information about general admission requirements.
You are eligible for SECOND-YEAR CONSIDERATION into the DrOT if you have a minimum 2.75 overall GPA, with a 3.0 in prerequisite courses and have completed, at the collegiate level, the following first-year courses:
General Biology I & II with labs
(NOT Anatomy & Physiology)8 cr. Introduction to Psychology 3 cr. Introduction to Communication 3 cr. Introduction to Sociology 3 cr. Pre-calculus 3 cr. 2 semesters of Writing Intensive English 6 cr. General Education—Humanities Requirement
Examples of humanities classes are:
- Art Appreciation
- History
- Music Appreciation
- Philosophy—Ethics and Values
- Any Foreign Languages
3 cr. General Education—Social Science Requirement (must be in addition to specific courses required in curriculum)
Examples of social sciences are:
- Psychology
- Economics
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Anthropology
3 cr.
You are eligible for THIRD-YEAR CONSIDERATION into the MOT program if you have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA (third-year transfers into the DrOT program will be accepted beginning in May 2012 and must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 overall GPA, with a 3.0 in prerequisite courses) and have completed, at the collegiate level, the above first-year courses and the following second-year coursework:
Human Structure and Function (Anatomy & Physiology) I & II with at least one semester of lab 7 cr. Psychology of Human Development (Developmental Psychology) 3 cr. Abnormal Psychology 3 cr. Introduction to Biostatistics 3 cr. Survey of Physics (General/Intro Physics) 4 cr. General Education—Humanities Requirement 3 cr. Communications 3 cr. General Education—Social Science Requirement (must be in addition to specific courses required in curriculum) 3 cr. General Education Requirement (Additional Social Science and/or Humanities credits) 6 cr.
If you find you have not completed all of the required courses for transfer, we encourage you to apply and allow us to evaluate your coursework and, if you are accepted, to develop a customized curriculum that will allow you to complete your degree at USciences.
Additional Considerations for Transfer into the Occupational Therapy Program:
- The occupational therapy program has an application deadline of
March 1. Admission decisions are made as applications are completed. - Because the USciences’ occupational therapy program is in transition from the MOT to the DrOT program, only post baccalaureate students applying will be considered for the MOT program. All other applicants will be considered for the DrOT program.
- Classes for the professional phase of the Occupational Therapy program will begin in May, 2012.
For further information on program options, please contact the OT department by calling 215.895.3123.
- There is a minimum requirement of 4 years of study at USciences to be granted a BSHS/DrOT from the University; 4 years for DrOT students entering with a BS degree. Minimum requirement for BSHS/MOT students is 3 years; 2½ years for post-baccalaureate MOT students.
- Post Baccalaureate—If you have earned or will have earned a Bachelor’s degree prior to the start
of the summer semester classes, you may be eligible for entrance into the professional phase of the Master
of Occupational Therapy degree (MOT) or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) program as a Post-Baccalaureate student. Candidates may qualify through
a variety of degrees in the basic sciences, social sciences or health sciences. Required prerequisite
courses include (and should be completed by the end of the spring term preceding enrollment at USciences):
SUBJECT AREA Anatomy & Physiology – 2 semesters, one with lab Abnormal Psychology – 1 semester Sociology or Cultural Anthropology – 1 semester Physics (with or without lab) – 1 semester Psychology of Human Growth and Development (Developmental Psychology course that covers the whole human lifespan) – 1 semester
Statistics – 1 semester
Click here to get started on your transfer to USciences!