Course Requirements

Course requirements vary for each OT school.

To see which UCLA courses satisfy the most common course requirements, refer to the UCLA Pre-Health Requirements Worksheet, found here.

Meet with an academic advisor at UCLA for advice on course planning for OT school.

Do I have to be a specific major to be able to apply to OT school?

A: NO. Examples of what other students have majored in at the undergraduate level include biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts, and anatomy. It is important that you contact the educational programs to which you are interested in applying and make sure you have taken the necessary prerequisites for admission into their programs.

Centralized Application System

The Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) is a program of the American Occupational Therapy Association. It allows prospective students to use one application to apply to multiple participating OT programs through a single application process.

See the OTCAS Applicant Guide for help getting started.

Application Timeline

See the Pre-Application Checklist for everything you should do leading up to the application process.

Application Process

Summer

  • Should be taking the GRE or waiting for the release of your score from an earlier test. Taking earlier test dates can help avoid delays in your application.
  • Confirm deadline dates for individual OT programs.  Many OTCAS participating schools have deadlines in late Fall continuing through the Spring.
  • OTCAS application is available in July. Begin to fill out application. Contact OTCAS directly for specific questions.
  • Have letters of recommendation sent to OTCAS or individual schools.  Check with individual schools for instructions.
  • OTCAS verifies primary application and begins sending application to schools within 4 weeks of submission.
  • Continue to work, volunteer, etc.
  • Make an appointment at the Career Center for a Mock Interview.

Winter / Spring

  • Continue sending in applications according to institutional deadlines.
  • Complete each school’s supplemental applications by their specific deadline.
  • Several (but not all) OT schools conduct interviews.
  • Admission decisions are made after interviews and applicants are informed.  Timeline varies by program.

Entrance Exam

Most OT programs require applicants to submit GRE scores. To see if the schools you’re applying to require the GRE, check their websites in the admission requirements section, or contact their admissions department, to learn if they require the GRE.

Letters of Recommendation

Each program has different requirements regarding letters of recommendation.  For most schools, 1-2 evaluation letters from science faculty who taught you in a course, 1 from a non-science college instructor, and 1-2 letters from occupational therapists will be sufficient.  Be sure you understand each school’s requirements, as changes cannot be made after submitting your OTCAS application.  OTCAS requires at least 3 but no more than 5 letters.

OTCAS accepts applicants’ letters of evaluation directly, however, some students choose to use an external letter service instead (such as, but not limited to, Interfolio Dossier).

For additional guidance and UCLA resources for asking for letters of recommendation, visit the Prepare to Apply section of this website.

Personal Statement

For guidance and UCLA resources for writing a personal statement, please visit the Prepare to Apply section of this website

Choosing Schools & Programs

Find a school through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)’s list of schools.

Deciding which OT schools to apply to and attend is a complex and highly individualized process. Visit the Prepare to Apply section of this website for considerations that may help you with these decisions.

Gain Experience

Many Master’s and Doctoral programs in occupational therapy require that prospective students observe a practicing occupational therapist for at least 40 hours. Some programs recommend that these hours come from at least two settings and populations.

OT-Related Student Organizations at UCLA:

Volunteer

Another great way to gain exposure to the field is through volunteer opportunities in various settings. Your local hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and VA Medical Centers have volunteer programs. These programs may be willing to accommodate prospective occupational therapists who wish to observe licensed staff. National nonprofits that support people with developmental disabilities, such as The Arc, Easter Seals, and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), have affiliated organizations located throughout the country. Many of these organizations offer direct services to their clients that include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. These nonprofit organizations nearly always need volunteers. Furthermore, don’t forget to mine your own personal and professional networks. You may be surprised to discover unexpected connections to the field because people from all backgrounds may need occupational therapy at some point in their lives.

Employment

You can get paid healthcare experience by being a (not an exhaustive list):

  • OT Assistant (OTA)
  • ABA Behavior Specialist
  • Behavior Technician
  • Teacher’s Aide Inclusion
  • Search for healthcare-related opportunities on Handshake and other job search sites such as Indeed (use keywords: “occupational therapy”, “inclusion”, “rehabilitation”).

Visit the Gain Experience page of this website for more ideas on how to gain clinical, research, leadership, and/or community service experience that can help you clarify your goals, develop your skills, and demonstrate your commitment to healthcare.

Helpful Websites

Occupational Therapy FAQ’s