Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Below you’ll find information about admission criteria, how your application will be reviewed and where you’ll apply. This is not an exhaustive list. For more information about qualifying for and applying to Baylor’s Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy, please request more information. We’ll be happy to discuss what you need to know and guide you through the process.

Please note there is one start date each year, in the spring (January).

Admission Criteria

• No GRE required.
• Complete a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. Admission may be granted pending completion of the degree.
• Complete prerequisite courses*
  • “B-” or above in each course is preferred.
  • Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or greater on a 4.00 scale.
  • An applicant is required to complete 19 credits of prerequisite course work prior to submitting an application. All prerequisite course work must be complete before starting the program.
  • If a prerequisite course is repeated, the credit hours assigned to the course may be counted only once in fulfilling the required number of hours. The prerequisite GPA will be determined using the highest course grade achieved; however, both grades will be calculated into the cumulative GPA.
• If cumulative GPA is less than 2.75 on a 4.00 scale, an applicant may still be eligible for admission if a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater has been achieved over the last 60 semester or 90 quarter hour credits of coursework.
• A minimum of 30 observation hours.
• Provide three references. It is required that one of your recommendations be from a licensed occupational therapy practitioner. Applicants arrange for references to be submitted electronically through OTCAS. Each evaluator providing a reference will be contacted using an email address provided in OTCAS by the applicant.
• Complete an approved Background Check and Drug Screening prior to matriculation.
• Complete an admission interview. Applicants are invited for interviews based on a holistic evaluation of their application and supporting materials.
• Demonstrate English language proficiency through completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam for applicants for whom English is not their first language or those who have completed a degree and prerequisite courses outside of the United States.
• Demonstrate the ability to meet the Technical Standards for admission.

*Prerequisite Courses (19 credits required prior to submitting application)

• Effective June 14, 2024, the following pre-requisites will be required for admission to the program:
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits, lab required)
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits, lab required)
  • Biomechanics (3 credits) (Kinesiology or physics may be acceptable if the course contains mechanics or biomechanics).
  • Psychology (6 credits)(3 of those credits must be Abnormal Psychology, Neuropathology, or Behavior Disorders)
  • Human Development (lifespan) (3 credits)
  • Social Sciences (3 credits) (These credits may be from psychology, sociology, anthropology, public health, ethnicity, gender studies, religious studies, or philosophy coursework)
  • Statistics (3 credits)
  • Medical Terminology (1 credit)

Application Review

Applicants are evaluated based on the following items:

• Cumulative GPA
• Prerequisite GPA
• References
• Writing Sample

Other factors considered, but not required:

• Relevant work experience
• Prior military experience

Application Process

Applicants will apply for admission through the Occupational Therapist Central Application Service (OTCAS), provided by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Earning your Doctor of Occupational Therapy from a prestigious institution can provide a compelling return on investment. Of course, the first step in investing in your future is often the hardest.

Tuition for the cohort that begins in January 2025 will be $ 18,350 per trimester plus the $100 per trimester administrative fee. The Student Financial Services department can assist you with student loans and financing your education.

Academic calendars are published for each program cohort based on the year of graduation. Key dates and activities contained in these academic calendars are subject to change.