Master of Occupational Therapy Admissions Requirements

IMPORTANT Announcement: Applicants need to be aware that the OT program is in the process of transitioning the entry-level MOT program to an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. The program must be granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) before students can be admitted to the entry-level OTD program. Applicants who apply to the OT program during this transitional period will be admitted to either the entry-level MOT or OTD program depending on when Candidacy Status is granted by ACOTE. Check the TTUHSC OT program webpage for updates about the status of the OTD program.

MOT Admissions Information

The MOT 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

  1. Online Application

    Applicants for the MOT program must complete both an OTCAS Application and supplemental TTUHSC SHP Merlin Application.  OTCAS stands for the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service.  The OTCAS application can be accessed through the following website.  The Merlin Application can be accessed through the following website. Please make sure that all information on your application is correct before selecting "Submit." Once you submit the General Information section of the application you cannot edit any information. If a change needs to be made, please email health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.

  2. Application Fee

    The $75 Merlin Application Fee can be paid through the online application by credit card. 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 has been paid.

  3. 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

  4. Official GRE Scores

    The GRE is not required for the MOT program.

  5. Bachelor's Degree

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

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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 MOT Program.
    Course Credit Hours
    Prerequisite Coursework
    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
  9. 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.

  10. Personal Essay

    Submission of personal essays is required with OTCAS application.

  11. 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. 

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 MOT admissions committee by invitation only. Invitations to interview with the MOT 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

  1. Online OTCAS Application
  2. Online Merlin Application
  3. Application Fee
  4. 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.

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 athealth.professions@ttuhsc.edu.