Program Details

• Major Name: Pre-Occupational Therapy
• Degree Program: Arts and Sciences
• Degree Designation: AS
• College / School: STEM

This program satisfies the course requirements for admission to the professional portion of the curriculum in occupational therapy offered by the School of Medicine at West Virginia University. Registration in the first two years does not automatically assure the student a place in the junior class. A student will be accepted on a competitive basis and selection will be based on scholastic standing and on those personal characteristics that are desirable in occupational therapists. Applicants must have a minimum of 63 to 65 hours of college credit with a GPA of 3.0 cumulatively and in prerequisite coursework.

A minimum of 60 hours of volunteer or work experience with people with disabilities is required. A minimum of 45 of those hours must be with a licensed occupational therapist (OTR/L) and/or a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). Two letters of recommendation are also required, one from an occupational therapist or COTA who supervised the volunteer/work experiences and the other from a professor who has recently taught the applicant. Completion of all prerequisite courses by the end of the semester of application (usually second semester of the sophomore year) is normally required. Strong consideration will be given to residency and a commitment to stay in West Virginia to practice after graduation.