Admissions Requirements

Admission Criteria: 

• Complete a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Admission may be granted pending completion of the degree.
• Complete pre-requisite courses: 
  • "B-" or above in each course is preferred. 
  • Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or greater on a 4.00 scale.
  • It is strongly recommended that an applicant completes 19 credits of pre-requisite course work prior to submitting an application. All pre-requisite course work must be complete before starting the program.
  • If a pre-requisite course is repeated, the credit hours assigned to the course may be counted only once in fulfilling the required number of hours. The pre-requisite GPA will be determined using the highest course grade achieved; however, both grades will be calculated into the cumulative GPA.
  • If you have not completed the prerequisite coursework before the start of classes, you will not be allowed to begin classes.
• If your GPA is below a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale you may still be eligible if your last 60 semester hours or last 90 quarter hours is above a 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. 
• 30 observation hours required (50 recommended)
• In consideration of accommodation for COVID 19 Pass/Fail grades will be accepted for the Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 semesters.
• Provide three references.  It is required that one of the references be from a licensed occupational therapy practitioner. References should come directly from the evaluator to OTCAS. Evaluators can send references to OTCAS electronically or by using a paper reference form that can be printed from the OTCAS application.
• Complete an approved Background Check and Drug Screening.
• Complete an admission interview. An applicant is invited for interviews based on an evaluation of the submitted application and supporting materials. 
• Demonstrate English language proficiency through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam for applicants for whom English is not their first language or those who have completed a degree and pre-requisite courses outside of the United States.
• Demonstrate the ability to fulfill the Technical Standards for admission.

Notes:

• All courses within the professional didactic and clinical curriculum are required for completion of the OTD degree program.
• Baylor does not grant advanced placement credit for experiential learning, or transfer credits from other programs or institutions.

Pre-Requisite Courses:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits, lab required)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits, lab required)
• Biomechanics (3 credits) (Kinesiology or physics may be acceptable if the course contains mechanics or biomechanics).
• Psychology (6 credits)(3 of those credits must be Abnormal Psychology, Neuropathology, or Behavior Disorders)
• Human Development (lifespan) (3 credits)
• Social Sciences (3 credits) (These credits may be from psychology, sociology, anthropology, public health, ethnicity, gender studies, religious studies, or philosophy coursework)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• Medical Terminology (1 credit)

*If you have not completed the prerequisite coursework before the start of classes, you will not be allowed to begin classes.

We do require Anatomy and Physiology coursework to be completed within 5 years of the program start date. Other than these two courses, prerequisite coursework does not expire.

If you have any questions about the program, application process, or prerequisites, please contact us today at Robbins_Grad@baylor.edu or 254-710-4400.

If you are a Baylor student check out the resources provided here.

If you are still exploring whether occupational therapy is the right career choice for you, check out the resources provided here.

Note: A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. An individual, who has a felony background and is considering entering an occupational therapy program, can have his or her background reviewed prior to applying for the exam by requesting an Early Determination Review.