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1. Declare Intent: Meet with a pre-OT advisor to discuss eligibility and track your progress. Transfer students contact your admissions counselor.
2. Apply: Submit your application and materials in the spring semester of your undergraduate sophomore year.
3. Interview: Qualified applicants will be invited for a holistic admissions interview.
4. Begin Graduate Level OT Coursework: Accepted students begin part-time OT coursework in their undergraduate junior year.

If the number of eligible applicants exceeds available seats in the program, admission will be determined based on the department’s holistic admission criteria. Current ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº University of California students who are not admitted may request to be placed on a waitlist. If space becomes available, students will be admitted from the waitlist.

In addition to the standard undergraduate admissions process, students must complete all OT prerequisites within their first two years of undergraduate studies. Depending on the major, some students may need to take summer courses to fulfill all prerequisite requirements before beginning professional OT coursework in their junior year. 

The following courses are required for all applicants to the Accelerated MSOT program:

• Human Anatomy with lab (4 units)
• Human Physiology with lab (4 units)
• Psychology (3 units) *May be met with a AP Psychology.
• Child and Adolescent Development (4 units) or Lifespan Development covering the entire lifespan.
• Adult Development and Aging (4 units) or Lifespan Development covering the entire lifespan.
• Abnormal Psychology (3 units)
• Statistics (4 units) or Statistics for Health/Behavior Sciences (4 units)
• Medical Terminology (1 unit)

Transfer students can view our transfer equivalencies here.

1. Complete the required undergraduate course prerequisites (see above).

2. Volunteer and Experience 
   Complete at least 40 hours of volunteer work in human services, with a minimum of 20 hours under the supervision of an occupational therapy practitioner. Non-OT specific volunteer hours may be fulfilled through a ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº service-learning experience.

   OR

   Complete the following three pre-OT ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº courses: 

   • OT 1002 - Occupation and Others

   • OT 1003 - Occupation and Community

   • OT 1004 - Occupation as Therapy

3. GPA
   Recommended minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units of coursework.
   Recommended minimum 3.0 average GPA on prerequisite courses.
   
   Each prerequisite course must be passed with a grade of C or better.

4. Two letters of recommendation
   2 letters of recommendation ideally from current or former professors who can attest to the applicant's readiness for graduate-level work.

5. Personal Statement

6. Resume

7. Interview

At ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº University of California (DUOC), information regarding a student's criminal background and the results of criminal background checks are not considered during the admissions process for the Occupational Therapy program. However, it is important for applicants to understand that a criminal background could affect their ability to take the National Certification Examination for Occupational Therapists, which is overseen by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Additionally, a felony conviction might restrict access to necessary clinical fieldwork experiences, impact eligibility for the NBCOT certification exam, and influence the ability to obtain state licensure. Applicants with concerns about how a criminal background might affect their program participation are encouraged to consult with an OT Academic Advisor at DUOC. They can provide guidance on the requirements for completing the degree and obtaining licensure or certification.

A degree from a top-ranked, private university like ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº is deliberately affordable and accessible! More than 99 percent of our first-year incoming students receive significant financial aid through merit- and need-based scholarships as well as state and federal aid.

Unlike many OT programs that begin only after completing a bachelor’s degree, ÄÛ²ÝӰԺ’s Accelerated MSOT program allows you to get a head start. You will complete 32 units of graduate-level coursework during your undergraduate studies that count toward both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. This means you graduate faster and save on tuition costs!

Learn about tuition per unit, additional fees and total undergraduate and graduate tuition.

View Tuition and Aid

The MSOT degree program in occupational therapy at ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº University of California has been granted full accreditation through 2033—the maximum accreditation period awarded—by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). ACOTE is located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. The telephone number for ACOTE, via AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA, and the website is . Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. 

The national certification examination for eligible candidates is administered by . 

One Bank Street, Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
(301) 990-7979

The total number of graduates from the ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº University of California Master of Occupational Therapy program during the 3-year period of 2022-2024 was 148, with an overall graduation rate of 95%. The graduation rate is calculated based on calendar year data.

• Tuition, Financial Aid Refunds and Advances
• Withdrawal and Return of Title IV Funds
• Student Safety and Readiness: Key safety procedures, including infection control and equipment use, are reviewed in orientation and detailed in the OT Student Handbook.
• Clinical fieldwork begins during didactic coursework and progresses to six months of full-time Level II placements at the end of the program.

Students are also encouraged to review the Academic Catalog for additional information.