Graduate Occupational Therapy

APPLY TO MESSIAH

MOT post-baccalaureate program: applicants with a bachelor's degree in any subject may pursue the MOT program if prerequisites have been fulfilled.

B.S./MOT accelerated program: qualified high school applicants may complete a B.S. degree* and MOT degree in five years.

*choice of applied health science with a pre-occupational therapy concentration major or psycholog y major

MOT early assurance program (EAP): up to ten qualified Messiah University junior pre-OT students, or students of any major who fulfill the programs admissions requirements, may obtain early acceptance to the MOT program.

There are prerequisite requirements for the MOT.

Applicants must earn a C or better from an accredited institution in the following prerequisite courses:

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* or Developmental Psychology (3 credits)

*Life Span Development can be substituted by taking three courses: Child Development; Adolescent Development; and Adult Development: (9 credits)
Statistics: Mathematics, Sociology, or Psychology Department (3 credits)
Medical Terminology (1-3 credits)

Submitted OTCAS application, which includes a personal statement
Official transcript(s) indicating completion (or anticipated completion) of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. To be considered "official", transcript(s) must be requested and sent directly from all institution(s) attended to OTCAS.
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (grade of C or better in prerequisite courses)
Contact information for three references: please select references who can address your professional experience and/or academic performance (excluding relatives); a recommendation from an OT is encouraged but not required
Observation hours: twenty (20) hours are encouraged but not required
Documentation of community service, leadership experiences and work experience is preferred
Completion of an interview: qualified applicants will be invited to interview with faculty

Submitted Messiah University application (by December 1 of Messiah junior year)
Official transcript(s) from Messiah Univerisity indicating completion (or anticipated completion) of a bachelor’s degree. Graduate admissions will request your transcripts from the registrar.
Cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher (grade of C or better in prerequisite courses)
Observation hours: twenty (20) hours are encouraged but not required

Submitted Messiah University application (by December 1 of Messiah junior year)
Official transcript(s) from Messiah University indicating completion (or anticipated completion) of a bachelor’s degree. Graduate admissions will request your transcripts from the registrar.
Cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher (grade of C or better for prerequisite courses)
Statement of purpose: a 300-500 word statement explaining why you selected occupational therapy as a career and how an occupational therapy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background will help you achieve your goals.
Contact information for three references: please select references who can address your professional experience and/or academic performance (excluding relatives); a recommendation from an OT is encouraged but not required
Observation hours: twenty (20) hours are encouraged but not required
Documentation of community service, leadership experiences and work experience is preferred
Completion of an interview: qualified applicants will be invited to interview with faculty

The MOT is a full-time, residential program. Students applying for the MOT may be eligible to obtain an F-1 student visa from Messiah University.

In addition to the admissions requirements above, international students interested in the MOT must submit:

a course-by-course evaluation of all international transcripts
English proficiency exam: only TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo are accepted

Further information about these requirements is available on the graduate international student page. Please contact the enrollment counselor for occupational therapy to determine eligibility.*

*If admitted to Messiah University, information on how to apply for the F-1 visa may be found on the graduate international student page.

Graduate Admissions

Advance your career goals with Messiah University's graduate program in occupational therapy.

Graduate Enrollment Resources