BSHS Concentration 2, Pre Occupational Therapy – Accelerated

The Pre-Occupational Therapy Accelerated option within the Bachelor of Science degree in the Division of Health Sciences is another means of entry into the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program. The accelerated option is administered as a combined program. This competitive track will prepare students to apply for early entrance into the ISU three-year MOT Program.  Successful students will receive both a Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS) and a MOT degree in 6 academic years instead of the traditional 7 years.  

Students pursuing this option must be an enrolled student at ISU with junior standing and a declared major in Health Science within the Division of Health Sciences. Students apply with an Accelerated Option Application in the fall of their junior year. Students who are not accepted into the Accelerated Option can choose to complete their BSHS degree and apply to any graduate program in occupational therapy, including ISU’s.

Pre-Occupational Therapy Accelerated Option Application Instructions:

Prospective students will complete a Pre-Occupational Therapy Accelerated option application. 

Applications for the Pre-Occupational Therapy Accelerated option must be received by the Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy administrative office by the close of business each year on September 30.  If ISU is closed on September 30, the application is due by the close of business most closely preceding that day.  Applications received after this deadline are not considered.

The maximum number of students who may be selected for this option is decided annually by the MOT program director by September 15 but will not exceed seven students in any given year.

Pre-Occupational Therapy Accelerated Option Admission Requirements

As part of the application process, the applicant must provide the following:

• Documentation of at least 40 hours of volunteer or work-related experience at two different practice settings
• 3 letters of reference from specific categories of individuals
• A signed two-page personal essay
• Unofficial transcripts for all college coursework
• Unofficial GRE/MAT results with minimum scores listed on website
• A plan of study showing completion (by the end of the current academic year) of all 1.) OT/Accelerated program requirements, 2.) General Education courses and 3.) BSHS Core Courses described below.

1.    OT/Accelerated Program Requirements

• 47 credits
• Each category must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Must have completed MATH 1153 and CHEM 1101 with a minimum grade of “B” in each at time of application

2.   General Education Objectives

• Minimum 36 credits

 3.  BSHS Core Courses

• 20 -24 credits
• Includes core courses, professional competencies, health care and communications courses.
• The final course selection must be approved by the student’s .

PRE-PROFESSIONAL YEAR

Successful applicants to the Pre-Occupational Therapy Accelerated Option will complete the pre-professional year in lieu of the first year of the MOT Program.

 1st Year

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 during their pre-professional year to be eligible to apply for and be accepted into the MOT program.

MATRICULATION TO THE MOT PROGRAM

Students  must apply to both the MOT program (MOT Paper Application) and the Graduate School during the spring semester of their pre-professional year in order to matriculate to the MOT program for summer coursework.  Students will then complete 64 graduate credits to earn their MOT degree.

Changes in student-level status may lead to financial aid changes. Students enrolled in these programs should contact financial aid for specific aid package details.

MOT CURRICULUM