Division of Occupational Therapy

Prerequisites

Below is a list of prerequisites for the Occupational Therapy Program. The list does not represent every class that might fill the prerequisite. The information is subject to change without written notice or obligation. Students are urged to make contact, at least once a year, with the Academic Advisor.

Course Prerequisites 

The coursework or approved equivalent coursework must be taken for a grade, unless otherwise noted. Courses with an asterisk (*) must be completed by or before the fall semester prior to the January application deadline.  All prerequisite coursework must be completed by the end of spring semester (around May) prior to starting the program in the fall.

Any coursework with a grade below "C" will not be considered toward fulfillment of the program's prerequisites. Applicants must have a prerequisite cumulative of at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA.

In addition to a 3.0 prerequisite GPA, applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA of all of their university coursework.

  • Human Anatomy with lab* - one course taken within the past 5 years
  • Human Physiology* - one course
    Note:  Applicants must have either Human Anatomy or Human Physiology completed by the application deadline.
  • Human Growth and Development through the Lifespan or Developmental Psychology through the Lifespan* - one course or the equivalent. 
  • Physics*- one course in general physics (Course must include mechanics, kinematics and motion.) The lab is highly recommended but not required.
  • Advanced CPR*- one course in advanced CPR. The course must cover adult, child and infant CPR, choking and one and two person CPR.  This course need not be taken for a grade.  Current CPR certification required at the time of application.
  • Anthropology - one course
  • Abnormal Psychology - one course
  • Sociology or Health Ed or Special Ed or Gerontology - one course from one of these areas. First Aid/CPR and personal health courses will not fill this requirement.
  • Statistics - one course
  • Technical Writing - one course (must be upper division) or lower division technical writing AND an upper division writing intensive class
  • Medical Terminology - one course.

The following class needs to be completed by the end of spring semester of the year of application but does not need to be taken for a grade. Proof of completion is required.

  • Studio Arts Course - one course in an area of arts or crafts. Art history, music or dance classes or survey classes will not count as fulfilling this prerequisite.
  • Recommended (not required) - Kinesiology or Biomechanics - one course

Applicants must be able to demonstrate strong word processing ability and functional internet use.

All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end of spring term prior to starting the program.

Suggested Classes for The U and Other Utah Universities 

Suggested classes for the University of Utah and other selected universities in the region, including:

For institutions outside of Utah, please contact the Academic Advisor.

Fieldwork Prerequisites

Failure to pass requirements imposed by fieldwork sites and the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT) may negatively effect student eligibility for fieldwork placements and to sit for the national certification exam. Requirements include, but are not limited to the following: criminal background checks, drug screening, and health/immunization requirements.

Required tests

Contact Hours with an Occupational Therapy Professional

As a part of the application process students will be required to document a minimum of 50 hours contact with an occupational therapist (OTR). It is required that the student observes, works or volunteers in at least two different settings. The second observation may be as few as 8 hours and counts toward the 50 hour minimum.  Students should document the observation hours on an observation verification form.

Students taking OCTH 3000 Introduction to Occupational Therapy (through the U of U, Division of Occupational Therapy) with a B grade or higher, will be able to waive 25 of the 50 hours and will then be required to have contact with one setting other than the class. Students completing an Introduction to OT course, with a B grade or higher, at another institution may waive 15 hours and will only need one additional site.  The introduction to OT course must be completed prior to the admission deadline for the observation hours to be waived.

Students who attend the annual Research Symposium in the fall may count those hours towards the 50 hour minimum.  Students will need to have an observation verification form signed by the academic advisor or an occupational therapy faculty member prior to leaving the symposium.

Prerequisite Waiver

If an applicant believes the requirements have been met for a prerequisite course but may not have taken the specific course may request a waiver or course substitution.  The prerequisite waiver form must be submitted with a letter and appropriate documentation substantiating the request.