Entry Requirements
MOT program admission requirements are listed below. General admissions requirements may be obtained from the Graduate School. Some of these requirements for admission into the MOT program are higher than the general requirements for admission into the ISU Graduate School.
Applicants are selected on a competitive basis. Applicants should be aware that meeting minimum entry-level requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
The Master of Occupational Therapy Program is pleased to announce updated admissions requirements. Please note the MOT program no longer requires the GRE.
Masters of OT Admissions Requirements
Bachelors Degree Requirements
Applicants must complete a baccalaureate degree or higher from a college or university regionally accredited in the United States or its equivalent from a school in another country. If admitted, applicants will be required to submit official transcripts before attending/registering for classes.
GPA Requirements
Applicants must have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (out of a 4.0 scale) OR a GPA of 3.0 as calculated using the grades from the most recent 60 credits of accredited college coursework.
General Provisions
- Applicants must complete specific prerequisite courses with a GPA of 3.0 (B average) in each of the specified categories, not cumulatively.
- Prerequisite coursework in anatomy and physiology must be completed within five (5) years of anticipated program start date.
- An applicant with more than four (4) prerequisite courses in progress or planned for the spring/summer semesters may not be considered for admission (the program may not consider applications when there are more than 4 prerequisites planned/in progress).
- Courses graded on a pass-fail basis are acceptable for meeting minimum criteria in fulfilling prerequisite requirements; however, such grades may be evaluated less favorably by the admissions committee in ranking applicants. Thus, the use of such courses as prerequisites is discouraged.
Prerequisite Coursework:
All courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher and will be verified as part of the application review process. The OTCAS application will have a space available for applicants to upload supporting documents, so applicants may choose to maintain a copy of course syllabi to upload into the OTCAS system to demonstrate that courses they take fulfill the prerequisite requirements.
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Anatomy and Physiology (1 lecture/lab course in Human Anatomy and 1 course lecture in Human Physiology with a lab course if offered – 2 lecture and lab courses in combined Anatomy and Physiology are acceptable) |
If the college or university offers the course for healthcare professionals or science majors, the applicants must take the version of the course that best fits a pre-OT pathway Courses must be taken within 5 years of program start date |
Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, or Zoology | If the applicant takes combined anatomy and physiology courses, the applicant must take both halves of these courses to fulfil the requirement Students are strongly discouraged from taking online versions of courses and labs |
Students need an in-depth understanding of human anatomy and physiology to be prepared for the advanced study of anatomy, kinesiology, and neuroscience and application of these sciences in the MOT Program |
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Statistics (1 lecture course) |
Research methods courses are not accepted Tests and measures courses are not accepted |
Math or Statistics | Students are strongly encouraged to take a college-level course focused on practicing using inferential methods to conduct data analysis (for example, paired and 2-sample t-tests, inference for regression, and chi-squared tests) |
Students need a foundation knowledge of how to conduct statistical analysis so they are prepared to critically appraise research literature and apply it to inform practice decisions. |
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Human (1 lecture course) |
Lifespan development courses are preferred but a course covering a single time period (ex: Child Development) will be accepted |
Psychology or Human Development |
Students are strongly encouraged to take a course that covers the entire lifespan, or multiple courses to ensure understanding of the lifespan |
Students need an understanding of human development throughout the lifespan as a preparation to learning evaluation and intervention principles for a variety of clients. |
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Abnormal (1 lecture course) |
Courses titled “Abnormal Psychology” or “Psychopathology” are acceptable |
Psychology | Students need an understanding of a variety of psychological conditions as a preparation to learning evaluation and intervention principles for a variety of clients. |
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Sociology OR (1 lecture course) |
Anthropology course focus must be cultural |
Sociology or Anthropology |
Anthropology courses focusing on archeology or other branches of anthropology will not be accepted |
Students need to understand past and present sociocultural influences to effectively work with a variety of clients. |
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Medical (1 lecture course) |
A college or university course titled “Medical Terminology” |
Starting with the January 2027 application cycle, a certificate course will NOT be accepted |
Students need foundational knowledge in medical terminology to effectively understand advanced anatomy, kinesiology, neuroscience, and other clinical terms encountered in the program. |
Occupations
Occupations are the heart of occupational therapy. Occupations are the everyday activities people want, need, and are expected to do. Occupational therapists believe that by engaging in occupations, people are improving and/or maintaining their health, well-being, and quality of life.
Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate knowledge and exposure to the occupational therapy profession. They are required to complete one of the following three options:
- A minimum of 10 hours of observation experience
- Hours must be completed directly with an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. Work hours are permitted, provided the work is completed directly with an occupational therapy practitioner.
- Observation hours cannot include therapy administered to the applicant or the applicant's relatives
- All required hours must be completed prior to application to the ISU MOT program
- Completion of an Introduction to OT course offered by a college or university (e.g. OT 2209 at ISU)
- Interview an occupational therapist
Letters of Reference
Each applicant is required to submit two letters of reference to complete the application. Applicants often submit letters from occupational therapy practitioners who supervised their volunteer experiences, professors or academic advisors who are familiar with their academic performance, or employers or coaches with knowledge of personal characteristics or attributes that would enhance your ability to be an occupational therapist.
We will not accept letters of reference from relatives of the applicant.
Letters of reference must be submitted according to OTCAS requirements.
Personal Statement/Essay
Each applicant must submit a personal statement/essay via the OTCAS system. This statement may include any additional information that an applicant wishes to provide the admissions committee.