Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Admissions Requirements
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program selects students based on grade point average (GPA), Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, a written essay, letters of evaluation, and an interview. Strong candidate will also demonstrate concern for people of diverse backgrounds, as well as the ability to use judgment, insight, and reasoning.
All candidates must:
- complete a minimum of 40 volunteer hours in at least two different occupational therapy environments
- complete an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for each of the last two years of study
- have a prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for each of the last two years of study
- have a grade of 2.0 or better in all prerequisite courses
- submit minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores that are less than five years old for all three areas of the general test (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing)
- submit a written essay
- submit (3) letters of evaluation
- demonstrate computer and word processing competency
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 or higher for written, or 213 or higher for computer-based test for international students
- Preference will be given to applicants who have a combined Verbal and Quantitative score of at least 290 (GRE taken prior to August 1, 2011 combined Verbal and Quantitative score of at least 900) and an Analytical Writing score of 3.5.
| prerequisite courses | |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences | |
| Biology with laboratory (introduction, general, or principles of) | 3-4 semester hours |
| Anatomy (human) and physiology including laboratory | 4 semester hours |
| OR Anatomy (human) including laboratory | 4 semester hours |
| AND Physiology including laboratory | 3-4 semester hours |
| Physics with lab (general, college) | 3-4 semester hours |
| OR Kinesiology | 3-4 semester hours |
| Social Sciences | |
| Psychology (must include 3 credits of Introduction to Psychology and 3 credits of an upper-level psychology course—abnormal psychology, social psychology, substance abuse, etc.) | 6 semester hours |
| Human growth and development Or Developmental psychology (must cover infancy through aging) | 3 semester hours |
| Other social sciences (e.g., ethnic studies, anthropology, sociology, ethics) | 3 semester hours |
| Humanities | |
| English Composition | 6 semester hours |
| Other humanities (e.g., art, communications, literature, foreign language, history, philosophy, logic, or humanities) | 9 semester hours |
| Math | |
| Statistics | 3 semester hours |
| Other | |
| Medical terminology (college) | 1 semester hour |
| Note: None of the science courses can be applied | |
Recommended Courses |
|
| The following additional courses will also help in the occupational therapy curriculum: | |
| Ethics | 3 semester hours |
| Public speaking | 3 semester hours |
| Theories of personality | 3 semester hours |
| Logic/philosophy | 3 semester hours |
Additional Information
For more information, please contact the Occupational Therapy Admissions Office at:
Office of Admissions
Occupational Therapy Program
Nova Southeastern University
3200 South University Drive
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33328-2018
(954) 262-1101 or (877) 640-0218
Mr. Eric DeRise, Coordinator for Admissions/Student Services - Tampa: (813) 574-5278
