ADMISSION

The MS in Occupational Therapy Program is offered through the School of Science and Health of Philadelphia University.  It is designed to accommodate students from all undergraduate disciplines. Qualified candidates who hold or are about to receive an undergraduate degree are eligible to apply. Students seeking admission must meet the Occupational Therapy Program and University’s acceptance criteria.  Candidate selection is based upon the number of applications, candidates’ collective qualifications and the number of openings in the program.

Click here for the OT Applicant Handbook that includes background information and program forms.

To request more information from the Graduate Admission Office please click here:  Request Form

Admission Requirements (Qualified candidates will be interviewed until all admission spaces are filled. The admission deadline is February 15, though applicants are encouraged to apply early due to rolling admissions. Admission letters will be distributed beginning in December.)

• Complete bachelor’s degree with minimum overall 3.0 grade point average (GPA) [Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate or graduate study must be provided to the Graduate Admission’s Office]

• Earn minimum overall 3.0 GPA in OT Program prerequisite courses (minimum grade of “B-” or better in each course):

• Complete interview with OT Program faculty. After application materials are screened, qualified applicants will be contacted by the OT Program to schedule an interview. Areas reviewed include awareness of profession, motivation for pursuing an OT career, interpersonal and oral communication skills, independent thinking ability, and preparation for weekend-format educational experience.

• Provide two letters of reference (one academic and one professional)

• Provide current resume

• Submit a career goals statement/ personal essay describing how you became interested in Occupational Therapy, and the qualities you possess that will enable you to be a successful student in this program, and practitioner in the field. (no more than 500 words)

• Submit results of standardized test score: either

  Graduate Record Examination (GRE) www.gre.com

  OR

  Miller Analogies Test (MAT) milleranalogies.com (Philadelphia University code: 2666)

• *Provide documentation of 20 hours of clinical observation under the supervision of an occupational therapist before beginning the professional program.  Applicants are encouraged to complete clinical observation hours as early as possible. Students who are unable to complete observations prior to submitting the admission application must include a letter outlining a plan for completion of these hours with their applications (see Observation Documentation form in Applicant Handbook). 

• *Submit Program Prerequisite Record (see form in Applicant Handbook)

• *Review, sign and submit the Occupational Therapy Program Academic Standards Statement (see form in Applicant Handbook)

*send to OT Program if not included with admission paperwork

Enrollment Information

• The Occupational Therapy Program is delivered on Philadelphia University's main campus, located in the East Falls section of Philadelphia.
• Admitted students matriculate into the OT Program in the fall (orientation weekend is first weekend in August).
  
• The occupational therapy curriculum courses are sequential and continous matriculation is required.
• All occupational therapy students must complete Level II fieldwork within the timeframe established by the Program.

Unique Program Requirements

Our blended educational program generally involves two intensive on-campus weekend class meetings per month as well as extensive reading and off-campus learning activities during the off-campus weeks.

Qualified applicants will:

• Be self-directed learners
• Demonstrate well-developed oral and written communication skills
• Possess good time management
• Display the ability to synthesize and apply both technical and conceptual information in clinical settings, and
• Work collaboratively with peers.

Distance Learning

To be successful in the program, students must have daily access to a computer and be familiar with basic computer functions including e-mail, internet, and Microsoft Word and PowerPoint software programs.  Students participate in various off-campus guided and independent learning activities, facilitated through the use of e-mail, internet, and distance learning technologies (Blackboard, web conferencing).

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Attaining National Certification and State licensure

Participation in clinical experiences and fieldwork are required components of the OT curriculum. Many field settings require students to be fingerprinted, undergo a criminal history review and/or complete a drug screening prior to being accepted for placement. Field sites may deny a student's participation in the clinical experience or fieldwork because of a felony or misdemeanor conviction, failure of a required drug test, or inability to produce an appropriate health clearance, which could result in delayed graduation or the inability to graduate from the program.

Additionally, a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the certification exam or to attain state licensure as a health professional. Information regarding individual eligibility may be obtained from the appropriate credentialing bodies. 

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