Prerequisite Coursework

Completion of specified prerequisite courses with an earned grade of C or better for each course.

  • Conditional acceptance may be given for qualified students with outstanding prerequisites. Regardless of graduation date, conditionally accepted applicants must complete all prerequisite courses with a C or better prior to start date. It is the student's responsibility to provide official documentation of satisfactory course completion prior to start date. Students who have not completed all requirements or have not submitted documentation by the deadline must reapply for the next cohort to be considered for admission the following year.
  • Prerequisite coursework must be completed within seven years prior to the application to the program. The only potential exceptions are for those who work in fields focused on a specific area and who have taken the coursework in the past. For example, mental health professionals may not have to retake abnormal psychology.
  • Only applicants with three or more prerequisite courses completed will be considered for early admission — more than a year prior to start date. Applicants with fewer than three completed prerequisite courses, will be considered starting in the January that is prior to the desired start date. Applicants are only considered eligible for consideration if grade-point averages for their prerequisites and last 60 cumulative credit-hours are 3.0 or higher.

Prerequisite Courses

Most students have found at least one of these choices on their campus or in their community. The minimum acceptable grade is C.

  1. Title: Abnormal Psychology
    Note: No substitutions for this course.
  2. Human Anatomy with lab
    Notes: If anatomy and physiology are offered together as one course, then two semesters must be taken (example: Anatomy and Physiology I & II). There must be a lab component reflected.
  3. Human Physiology with lab
    Notes: If anatomy and physiology are offered together as one course, then two semesters must be taken (example: Anatomy and Physiology I &II). There must be a lab component reflected.
  4. Developmental Psychology 3 Credit Hours (Lifespan)
  5. Statistics 3 Credit Hours
    Note: Any undergraduate statistics course (examples: psychological statistics, educational statistics, statistics in nursing, statistics in health care, business statistics, scientific statistics etc. are accepted.)
  6. Technical or Research Writing 3 Credit Hours
    Notes: The overall goal of Technical Writing is to hone students’ writing skills taught in earlier English courses and apply them to relevant writing tasks for graduate, scholarly writing. This course should focus on synthesizing multiple sources of data into a well-organized, concise and powerful scholarly paper with proper citations. Other courses may or may not satisfy the Tech Writing requirement (must be 3000 level or above). While research knowledge can be useful, the course's main focus must be to improve writing skills on a graduate level.
  7. Terminology for Health Professions Minimum 1 Credit Hour
    Note: This course must be 1 credit hours to meet the prerequisite requirement. If you completed a medical terminology course with fewer credit hours, you will need to repeat the course at the 3 credit level.

Frequently Asked Questions about Prerequisites

Technical Writing Prerequisite

I took Writing/Composition I and II for my undergraduate program. Does it count toward the Technical Writing requirement?

No. Courses that count toward this requirement must include advanced research writing that includes use of a style guide (preferably APA). Students are expected to utilize APA in every writing assignment in the O.T.D. program.

Example of a preferred course:

"ENGL 3053 guides students to hone writing skills by focusing on writing conventions in career-focused fields. The course focuses on the concepts and strategies of writing in a particular field, including analysis of audience and purpose for different types of writing projects, and teaches the fundamentals of research in that field, including proper citation. The types of writing assigned include descriptions, memos, letters, proposals and reports. Rhetorical analysis includes organization, style and design."

Other Prerequisites

Will you accept my (insert exact name of prerequisite course) if I completed it at XYZ community college / university?

As long as you completed the course at a regionally accredited college or university and it fits the credit requirements, we will accept the prerequisite.

Will you review the syllabus for (insert exact name of prerequisite course) to make sure it will be accepted?

We do not review syllabi or course descriptions from approved course titles, including the approved substitutions. If you are asking for an exception or substitution, we are happy to review course descriptions to assist you in finding a good fit.

If I take a course or a number of courses at different schools from where I will graduate, will that lessen my chances of getting into your program?

No. Many factors are considered during the application review and selection process.

I took a medical terminology course that was not 3 credits. Will you accept it?

Yes. As long as it is 1 credit hour or more.

Will you accept a Straighterline Medical Terminology course?

Yes. As long as it is 1 credit hour or more.

My school does not offer XYZ prerequisite. Do I still have to take it?

Yes. Online options from other universities that meet the requirements of the prerequisite are generally accepted. Remember that anatomy and physiology courses must have lab components. You may also take courses at other universities, as you are able to arrange them.

Will my prerequisite transfer?

Transfer credits do not apply to this program. If accepted, students are required to take all courses in the curriculum as scheduled.

If you have additional questions, contact us at OTD@uark.edu for the fastest response.