Qualifications
Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a nationally accredited program prior to program start date, with both an overall grade-point average and a prerequisite GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or better to begin studies.
Frequently Asked Questions about Qualifications
Student Fit
Who is your ideal candidate?
A student who is able to integrate information from multiple resources, including their own experiences, to create strategies, solve challenges and innovate solutions in their own lives.
In what ways does the work of this program reflect and foster understanding of the breadth of our society and campus community?
The degree program works toward a vision of society where every person has the opportunity to experience a fulfilling life through participation in health-promoting occupations and universal access to occupational therapy services. The university works to foster a broad environment for scholars and students. Our vision is enacted by faculty who actively engage in service across the University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences campuses. Additionally, other faculty volunteer in the community, facilitating support groups for people experiencing occupational deprivation and injustice.
Do I have to have a pre-OT degree to be eligible for your program?
No. Non-healthcare backgrounds such as, but not limited to, engineering, architecture, agriculture, design and business will bring novel perspectives and opportunities into our ever-evolving, occupation-centered profession.
What if I have been out of school for a while due to parenting or working in my current career?
Prerequisites must be completed within seven years of application to ensure that information is usable and somewhat fresh for the student. We consider exceptions for this if the applicant has been working in an environment that requires regular use of the skills gained in a particular course. If you believe that your experience fits into this category, please write otd@uark.edu, briefly describe your circumstance and request a prerequisite exception form.
Admissions Statistics
How do you grade applicants?
Our holistic selection process includes multiple factors beyond GPA, such as standardized Multiple Mini Interview (MMI), the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) and the Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer) assessments scores.
How many students does your program accept each year?
32.
Will you have a wait-list?
Yes, we maintain a wait-list.
Overall Grade-Point Average
Even though I earned a master’s degree, my overall GPA is below 3.0 because it includes coursework from 20 years ago. Will my application still be considered?
Yes — as long as your GPA is a 3.0 or higher for the last 60 credits taken and/or have completed a master’s degree or higher.
If you have additional questions, contact us at OTD@uark.edu for the fastest response.