Health Information

Health Insurance

Baylor University requires all domestic graduate students to hold health insurance. For more information regarding health insurance opportunities, visit the Graduate Student Health Insurance website.

Please note: Baylor University does require that all international students and accompanying dependents hold unlimited coverage in medical insurance. You can view Baylor's international student insurance policy, here.

Health Requirements

Prior to entering the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, students must submit the following documentation:

• Proof of current BLS certification
• Provide proof of the following Immunizations
  • Hepatitis B vaccine series (3 doses) OR immunity by titer
  • MMR vaccine (2 doses) OR immunity by titer
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine within the last 10 years
  • Varicella vaccine series (2 doses) OR immunity by titer
  • Polio vaccine series (3 doses OR date of last booster OR immunization as an adult)

Prior to entering the clinical phase (year 2) of the program, students must update their immunization and health certificate and provide proof of: 

• Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), QuantiFeron-Gold Blood Test (QFT), or Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA).
• Influenza vaccine (required annually to be given during influenza season: October through May)

*Please note that individual clinical facilities may have specific health requirements (drug screening, additional vaccines, and/or additional testing). It will be the student’s responsibility to make sure these are met.

For more information about immunization of Health Care Workers, click here.

Covid-19 Vaccination

The OTD program is not currently requiring the COVID vaccination. However, large numbers of health care facilities are requiring a COVID vaccination and we expect that OTD students unwilling to get vaccinated will NOT be able to complete the clinical requirements necessary to complete the program. We strongly encourage vaccination for all students prior to entering the program to protect the health and safety of students and faculty during lab immersions, while minimizing the risk of delaying/disrupting education due to illness or quarantine.