Pre-Occupational Therapy Coursework

Occupational Therapy (OT) is an applied science and health profession that provides skilled treatment to help individuals achieve and maintain independence in all facets of their lives. OT gives people the “skills for the job of living” necessary for independent and satisfying lives.

SMSU provides the required pre-professional coursework for students who intend to enroll in an occupational therapy program. Students seeking admission to an OT program need to complete a bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate students do not have to major in one of the sciences. Much of the pre-professional coursework for OT combines skills from a variety of areas including quantitative literacy, an understanding of behavioral and social sciences, and basic foundations of biology and other natural sciences. We encourage students to pursue a major that they find interesting so they will be successful.

Most applicants are also required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for admission into an OT program. Please check with each program as this requirement varies between schools. The GRE measures the applicant’s verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. For more information about GRE and preparation for the exam visit https://www.ets.org/gre/

Acceptance to OT school can be highly competitive. High GPA, high test (GRE) scores, an impressive personal statement, and good recommendations are critical. Good applicants also have research experience, have clinical experience through job shadowing or internships, and participate in university/community service. Some programs may require a certain number of observation hours for acceptance into the program.