Qualifications

Admission Criteria

Qualified applicants for the Occupational Therapy program must meet the following admission criteria:

  1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a nationally accredited program by December prior to the student’s spring semester start date.
  2. Overall grade-point average and a prerequisite grade-point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
  3. Completion of the OTCAS application OTCAS | Applicant Login Page Section.
  4. A minimum of 16 hours of documented observational learning with an occupational therapy professional is required effective for the 2027 application cycle. Observations must include at least two different populations — e.g. adults and children. Record the information on the Observations Cover Sheet and Observation Verification form (PDF). It is the applicant’s responsibility to identify and coordinate clinical observations. Because of multiple factors, we cannot recommend or arrange observational hours.
  5. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can address potential for graduate education — includes current or former professors, academic administrators, advisors, employers, community members, and mentors who are not relatives of the applicant.
  6. International applicants must submit results of their Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
  7. Written personal statement.
  8. Students are required to participate in and pass seven designated IPE experiences under the framework provided by UAMS at ipe.uams.edu
  9. Eligible applicants will be directed to complete a Multiple Mini Interview ( MMI), the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) and a scholarly writing activity.

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