Doctor of Occupational Therapy Admissions Requirements

OTD Admissions Information

The entry-level OTD program begins in late May of each year. Please visit the SHP Application website for deadline information. An applicant's OTCAS application must be verified and all other requirements must be received by the deadline. Please note there is a lag in submitting your application to OTCAS and the application being verified. Applicants will need to plan accordingly. It is in the best interest of the applicant to apply as early as possible.

Admissions Requirements

Online Application

Applicants for the OTD program must complete both the OTCAS application and your personalized SHP supplemental application.

Step One:

Start and complete the OTCAS application.

Step Two:
You will receive an email from SHP Application Systems within two business days of submitting your CAS application, with your login information, to complete your personalized Occupational Therapy SHP supplemental application.

You will receive an email from SHP Application Systems within two business days of submitting your CAS application, with your login information, to complete your personalized Occupational Therapy SHP supplemental application.
You must wait to receive this email before beginning your supplemental application. Do not go to the TTUHSC SHP website and attempt to access your supplemental application. The “start your application link” on the TTUHSC SHP website does not link to your personalized application.
If you did not receive your email, please check your junk email folder.
Please contact our Application Team with any questions at 806-743-3220 or shp.application@ttuhsc.edu.

Application Fee

The $75.00 application fee may be paid by credit card through the TTUHSC SHP online application. You may also pay by check or money order by selecting the "Money Order" option; mail a check or money order to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs (3601 4th Street MS 6294 Lubbock, TX 79430). Please make checks and money orders payable to "TTUHSC". Your
application will not be considered for admission until your fee is paid.
Official Transcripts

All official transcripts need to be submitted to OTCAS. You will only need to send updated transcripts to our office. Transcripts must be in a sealed envelope from the institution and must have been printed within the last year. Please send all updated official transcripts to the following address:

TTUHSC SHP Admissions and Student Affairs
3601 4th Street MS 6294
Lubbock, TX 79430
Official GRE Scores

The GRE is not required for the OTD program.
Bachelor's Degree

A Bachelor's Degree is required for admission in addition to the specific prerequisite courses listed in Section 8.
Minimum GPA

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum science prerequisite GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. A competitive GPA is a consideration for admissions. A grade of C or better is necessary in each required pre-professional course.
Observation Experience

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 40 observation hours with a licensed occupational therapist prior to the application deadline. It is in the best interest of the applicant to complete a substantial number of experiential hours in occupational therapy, preferably in a variety of settings. This can be acquired in several ways: volunteer work, paid work and/or observation in occupational therapy settings/ services. Verification of observation/ experience hours in occupational therapy practice must be submitted as a part of the application. There is not a specific, printable form to submit; we suggest tracking your hours on a personal spreadsheet.

Prerequisite Coursework

All prerequisite courses must be complete prior to matriculation. It is recommended that prerequisite courses be taken within the last seven years. No more than 9 hours of prerequisites can be in progress and at least two science prerequisites must be completed for file to be reviewed. AP and CLEP credit will not be accepted for any science prerequisite course. There is no advanced placement, transfer of credit or experiential learning credit within the TTUHSC OTD Program.

Prerequisite Coursework
Course	Credit Hours
Anatomy and Physiology (with lab) Note: Science Prerequisite Course	6-8 hours
Physics and/or Biomechanics and/or Kinesiology Note: Science Prerequisite Course	3 hours
Abnormal Psychology	3 hours
Developmental Psychology (across the lifespan)	3 hours
Statistics	3 hours

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required. One letter must be completed by an occupational therapist. Letters should be completed by professional personnel who: (a) have observed you during any related volunteer or paid work, (b) are previous or present instructors and/or counselors, or (c) are previous or present employers. Letters of recommendation are submitted online through the OTCAS Application.
Personal Essay

Submission of personal essays is required with OTCAS application.
International Applicants

All foreign coursework must be evaluated by a Foreign Credential Service. We also require TOEFL/IELTS Scores for any applicant for whom English is their second language (scores are considered on a case by case basis). Please refer to our International Applicants webpage for more information and TOEFL/IELTS exemptions.
Technical Standards

A student admitted into the TTUHSC Doctor of Occupational Program must meet basic and essential requirements that are necessary for obtaining employment and performing as an occupational therapist. The following link will provide an overview of what those requirements are.

Application Process

Applications are considered on a rolling basis for acceptance into the professional program. The application must be verified by OTCAS and the TTUHSC SHP supplemental application must be complete by the application deadline. Individual applications are only reviewed after the OTCAS verification process is completed and the TTUHSC SHP supplemental application is submitted; therefore, it is in the applicant’s best interest to complete the application process, including submission of required documentation, as early as possible. Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission.

Interviews

Admission interviews are granted by the OTD admissions committee by invitation only. Invitations to interview with the OTD program faculty in Lubbock, Texas are extended to the most competitive applicants. Competitive applicants are selected for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting documents (cumulative GPA, science prerequisite GPA, volunteer/work experience in occupational therapy, recommendation letters, and student essay).

Application Submission Checklist

Online OTCAS Application
Online TTUHSC SHP Application
Application Fee
Letters of Recommendation - Three required

Immunizations and CPR

Verification of required immunizations and CPR for the Healthcare Provider certification must be submitted prior to enrollment in professional curriculum, or preferably by the application deadline. CPR certification must be maintained throughout the professional program. Immunizations will be maintained by the Office of Institutional Health. The program recommends CPR certification provided through American Heart Association as it is a common requirement for fieldwork sites.

Contact Information

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. Please contact our office by phone at 806-743-3220 or email at health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.