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 the OTCAS application with all relevant materials: official transcripts, OT shadowing experience, and references. Please note official GRE scores are required, but there is not a supplemental application requirement.

Important Dates for Fall 2021 Admission

Application Deadline: November 1
Admission Interview Date: TBD (by invitation only)

In order to be eligible for an invitation to the admission interview date:

• 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
• Applications must be e-submitted to OTCAS by November 1*
• Applications must be complete and include all other Chatham admission requirements (see below) by November 1

*It is highly recommended that you submit your application to OTCAS on or before October 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 

1. 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.
2. Official transcripts from all institutions attended sent directly to OTCAS.
3. Overall combined GPA of 3.0 or better on a scale of 4.0 as calculated by OTCAS.
4. Prerequisite courses:
   • Human Anatomy with lab - one term**
   • Physiology (human or animal) with lab - 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
   • Abnormal Psychology – one term
   • Statistics or Research Methods – one term
   • 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.

A prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale is required. 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. Applicants must have three of the five prerequisite courses completed by August 31st of the application year, 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.

**If taking anatomy with physiology, both Anatomy & Physiology I and II with labs are necessary to fulfill the anatomy and physiology requirements.

5. Official GRE scores sent directly to OTCAS using Chatham University's OTCAS code: 4271.
   • GRE scores will only be accepted if taken within three years of the application date.
   • There is not a cutoff or minimum GRE score, however, a competitive score is considered a 295 combined with an analytical writing score of 4.0.
   • Chatham will use your highest section—quantitative, verbal, writing—scores across all GRE test dates.
6. A minimum of ten hours of OT shadowing at two different occupational therapy sites (20 hours total) included in the OTCAS application. Please note that verification of this shadowing is not required.
7. Three letters of reference included in the OTCAS application: one academic (faculty or advisor), one OTR involved in shadowing experience, and one supervisor or staff from a non-OT volunteer or work experience.
8. Attendance at on-campus interview.

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 2019-2020 academic year: Allegheny College, Baldwin Wallace University, Grove City College, Penn State Mont Alto, Washington and Jefferson College, and Waynesburg University. Pre-existing agreements with Mount Aloysius College and Mount Vernon Nazarene University are only applicable to undergraduates who matriculated at these institutions prior to August 31, 2017. 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
Fax: 412-365-1609
Email

Admitted Student Profile

For students beginning Fall 2019:

For students beginning Fall 2018:

For students beginning Fall 2017:

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View Full Curriculum