Occupational Therapy Admission and Application

Requirements for admission to the MSOT Program

1. GPA.  

1. Applicants must have achieved a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average overall or
2. A minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA of the last 60 credits may be considered for a holistic approach. 
3. For more detailed prerequisite information please see our website here.

2. Prerequisites. Prerequisites include courses that are essential to a solid foundation in preparation for the rigorous academic demands of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program. Prerequisites are detailed here, and include the following: 

• Human Anatomy & Physiology
• Developmental Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Statistics
• Medical Terminology 

Applicants may only have ONE three-credit hour prerequisite course outstanding at the time of submission; but all prerequisites must be completed by the December prior to January matriculation. Courses taken to fulfill prerequisites may be taken at any U.S. accredited university or college (including community colleges and accredited online programs).
Note: All transcripts must be uploaded directly to OTCAS*.

3. Required Observations.  40 hours of observing is required.The number of reported health care experience hours will be considered during the applicant screening process. Observations should include at least two different service delivery settings (e.g., school, early intervention program, skilled nursing facility, community health center). Observations provide applicants with an understanding of the breadth and depth of the profession.

4. Letters of Reference.  Applicants must submit three evaluations (reference) as part of the OTCAS application. This documentation will go into the Supporting Information section of the OTCAS application under the section labeled "Evaluations". Evaluations are submitted electronically to OTCAS. It is recommended that applicants request at least one evaluation from a professor, supervisor, and any non-relative who can attest to your character.

5. Essays.  Applicants must also complete the Maverick Questionnaire and the Maverick Essay as part of the required Colorado Mesa OT Program Materials section as listed on OTCAS.

6. Connection to western Colorado We encourage applicants from a diversity of backgrounds and degree programs to apply. The MSOT admissions committee will favorably weigh applicants who have ties to Western Colorado and who intend to practice on the Western Slope. (Western Slope Counties: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Gunnison, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mesa, Mineral, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt, San Juan, San Miguel, Saguache, and Summit.)

7. Technology Requirements. Students accepted into the program must be prepared with adequate technology for the in-class and online components of the program. Details are provided in the Admission Policy and Student Handbook.

8. Felony Conviction. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or to attain state licensure. 

All Applications and supplementary materials are submitted through the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application System found here: OTCAS.  This system allows you to input or upload all required documents to include your transcripts, Personal Statement, Observation/Shadowing hours and experiences, your Questionnaire and Essay, and allows you to identify your three references for your letters.  

Any questions related to the submission of transcripts should be directed to OTCAS at [email protected] or 617–612–2860.

The first application cycle opens in January and closes in June. The second application cycle opens in July and closes in November. Please keep in mind we will review applications as they are verified complete in OTCAS and offer admission on a rolling basis; so the earlier your application is complete, the earlier it will be reviewed and a decision made to offer you a seat in the next class. 

The CMU MSOT Program has a policy not to honor requests for deferment of admission during the period between offer of admission and matriculation.

Interviewees will be notified of the admissions decisions via email within a month of the interview. Applicants that interview with the CMU MSOT program will be placed in one of three categories: Accept, Waitlist, and Not Accepted.

A $750 non-refundable payment is required to reserve the seat in the program at the time the offer is accepted. Instructions for payment will be provided with the acceptance letter. 

The Occupational Therapy Selection Committee will notify all applicants of their final status. If an applicant commits to another program, we request the professional courtesy of notifying the CMU OT program. 

Candidates offered a position will be required to complete the following prior to enrollment:

1. Immunization and Health Information documentation 
2. Current BLS for Health Care Providers or CPR/AED that includes Pediatric Certification & First Aid Certification
3. Valid Driver's License
4. Certified Background Check and Drug Screen
5. Official Transcripts submited to CMU for all coursework
6. AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) Learner Membership 
7. OTAC (Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado) Student Membership
8. Learner Liability Insurance