Criteria and application process

Requirements

• Messiah University students must apply through the graduate application. The deadline for all application materials is December 15 of your junior year. OTCAS application is waived for students accepted to the EAP junior program.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 by junior year
  • If a student falls below the 3.3 GPA minimum before graduating, the MOT department will review the student’s academic transcript on a case-by-case basis. Students who anticipate their GPA may fall below 3.3 should proactively contact the Graduate Admissions Office (gradprograms@messiah.edu).
• Earn a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses (can apply with 3 outstanding prerequisite courses)
• Anticipated completion of a bachelor’s degree from Messiah University
• 20 observation hours in two areas of occupational therapy practice are encouraged but are not an admissions requirement 
• Obtain three recommendation letters, ideally one from an occupational therapist
• Eligible applicants will be invited to participate in the MOT Program Interviews

MOT prerequisite coursework

• Anatomy and Physiology I with lab – 3 or 4 credits
• Anatomy and Physiology II with lab – 3 or 4 credits
• Abnormal Psychology – 3 credits
• Life Span Development – 3 credits
• Statistics (Mathematics, Sociology, or Psychology Department) – 3 credits
• Medical Terminology – 1-3 credits

Please email completed forms to GradPrograms@messiah.edu.

MOT required coursework documentation form

MOT observable hours documentation form