Occupational Therapy, Entry-Level (ELOTD)

How to Apply

Applicants to Chatham University’s entry-level occupational therapy program must use the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). Beginning mid-July, applications may be submitted through OTCAS with all admission requirements noted below. Please note the GRE is not required, and there is no supplemental application. 

Important Dates for Fall 2023 Admission

Priority Application Deadline: OTCAS Submitted by October 1, 2022
Priority Virtual Interview Date: November 19, 2022
Additional Virtual Interview Dates: December 7, 2022 and January 18, 2023
Application Deadline for February Interview: OTCAS Submitted by January 15, 2023
February Interview Date: February 11, 2023*

Chatham’s OTCAS Application Closes June 10, 2023. All interviews after February will be on a rolling space available basis.

All interviews are by invitation only.

In order to be eligible for invite to the admission interview, applicants must have 3 of the 5 prerequisite courses completed by August 31, and at least one of those courses must be human anatomy with lab or physiology (animal or human) with lab or anatomy & physiology I with lab.

*It is highly recommended that you submit your application to OTCAS on or before January 15. OTCAS’s verification process occurs once an applicant e-submits the application and all official transcripts have been received. Verification involves some processing time, so it is in your best interest to submit all materials as early as possible to ensure your complete, verified application is available for us to review.

Admission Requirements 

• A completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or completion of undergraduate requirements for the Integrated Degree Program (IDP) prior to the beginning of classes.
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended sent directly to OTCAS.
• Overall combined GPA of 3.0 or better on a scale of 4.0 as calculated by OTCAS.
• Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, grades less than a “C” are not acceptable, and prerequisite courses must have been completed no more than ten years prior to the anticipated start date of the program.

• At least three of five prerequisite courses completed by August 31 of the application year, and at least one of those courses must be human anatomy with lab or physiology with lab or anatomy & physiology I with lab. Prerequisite courses:
  • Human Anatomy with lab - one term**
  • Physiology (human or animal) with lab - one term**
    • **If taking anatomy with physiology, both Anatomy & Physiology I and II with labs are necessary to fulfill the anatomy and physiology requirements.
  • Abnormal Psychology – one term
  • Statistics or Research Methods – one term
  • Developmental Psychology or Lifespan Development – one term
    • A combination of developmental psychology courses that cover the lifespan—birth to death—are also acceptable
  • Optional Neuroscience – one term 
    • Neuroscience is not required; therefore, students who have not taken this course will not be disadvantaged during the admission review process. Exposure to this course content is helpful for matriculated students.
• Two professional letters of reference included in the OTCAS application. Acceptable letters of reference may include those from academic faculty or advisors, from occupational therapists involved in shadowing or work experience, or from supervisors or staff members from volunteer or work experience.
• Attendance at virtual interview.

Additional Admission Information

Advanced placement, transfer of credit, or credit for experiential learning is not available to students in the entry-level OT Program for occupational therapy courses due to the integrated and sequential nature of the coursework in this program.

Integrated Degree Program

Chatham University undergraduates applying through the Integrated Degree Program (IDP) must complete all requirements outlined on their respective admission or track tab on the IDP Portal Site. All IDP applicants should work closely with their academic advisors to ensure all requirements are met according to the IDP course of study.

Admission Review Process

After verifying that the minimum academic requirements are met, the occupational therapy program faculty reviews each candidate's entire application and invites the most talented and qualified students to interview before program faculty and alumni.

As part of the admission review, Chatham reserves the right to request a background check prior to the offer of admission. The occupational therapy program strives for diversity and gender equity within each class.

Articulation Agreements

Chatham University has entered into "Articulation Agreements" with a select group of Colleges and Universities. These agreements provide for additional student pre-professional advisement and possible priority admission status for candidates with exceptional applications, demonstrating academic preparation above the minimal acceptable standards.

Agreements exist with the following institutions for the 2022-2023 academic year: Allegheny College, Baldwin Wallace University, Grove City College, Penn State Mont Alto, Washington and Jefferson College, and Waynesburg University.

Applicants from these institutions are advised to discuss the articulation requirements with their advisor as well as the graduate admission counselor at Chatham University.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Admission Department:

Office of Admission
Chatham University
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
800-837-1290
412-365-1394
Email Admissions

International Applicants

Admitted Student Profile

For students beginning Fall 2022:

For students beginning Fall 2021:

For students beginning Fall 2020:

OTH622: Occupational Performance in Children and Adolescents

This course addresses the occupational development of children and adolescents, and the interrelationship between the child, occupation, and the environment on occupational performance and participation. Students learn theories and conceptual models of practice used in pediatric OT, and the evaluation and intervention process as practiced in a variety of settings (community, hospitals, schools, etc). Influence of the family, environment, and sociocultural factors on the developing child and the OT process is explored.

OTH 632: Environmental Interventions

Students learn principles of assistive technology practice and the occupational therapist’s role on the assistive technology team. Students explore and critique technology resources, assess environments, and apply information to evaluation and treatment. The impact of environmental interventions on the consumer’s ability to engage in meaningful occupations is discussed and analyzed.

OTH644: Community Based Fieldwork & Seminar

This community-based fieldwork experience emphasizes higher level management and leadership skills, including program development, advocacy, and consultation. Students learn about community agencies, population and organizational needs, and apply their knowledge to conceptualize, plan, implement, and evaluate a unique program in a community-based agency.

OTH 790: Doctoral Capstone Experience

This Doctoral Capstone Experience is designed to provide exposure in one or more of the following areas: clinical practice, research, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education or theory development. The experiential component will be a minimum of 14 full-time weeks in length.  Development of individualized learning objectives and evaluation of student performance occurs in collaboration with the student, faculty Doctoral Project mentor and mentor in the practice setting with expertise consistent with the student’s area of focus.

View Full Curriculum

View Course Sequence Guide