How to Apply

Applicants should send all official transcripts directly to OTCAS (not Boston University) by following these instructions. We strongly encourage you to submit all transcripts in advance of the application deadline, as OTCAS requires several weeks to verify transcripts.

We require a formal course-by-course evaluation of all foreign transcripts by a third-party verification organization such as World Education Services (WES). Foreign transcript evaluations should be sent directly to OTCAS (not Boston University) by following these instructions.

All students admitted to the Entry-Level OTD program must complete a baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution prior to matriculation. The program does not require a particular undergraduate major, and we encourage applicants with a diversity of backgrounds. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in undergraduate coursework is required. Prerequisite courses taken after completion of a baccalaureate degree are not counted toward the GPA.

GRE scores are not required to apply to the program. Any GRE scores submitted will not be considered.

For international students whose first language is not English, official TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic scores are required unless you have completed a baccalaureate degree at an institution where the primary language of instruction is English.

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 4.5 (equivalent to a score of 90 on former TOEFL scoring scale)

Minimum IELTS Academic score: 6.5

• TOEFL Scoring System
• IELTS Scoring System

TOEFL iBT scores should be submitted electronically through ETS to OTCAS. IELTS Academic scores should be requested from IELTS to be released to OTCAS.

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. We recommend the following guidelines for letters of recommendation. However, it is most important that persons providing recommendations know you well so that they can provide specific examples of your strengths and accomplishments.

• One letter should be from a person who can address your intellectual and academic abilities.
• One letter should be from a supervisor in professional or other work capacity who can address work performance, service commitment, or other areas of your background that may be pertinent.
• The third letter may be from any category.

Letters of recommendation must be submitted through OTCAS by following these instructions.

OTCAS requires all applicants to submit a personal statement that addresses the following prompt:

• Explain why you selected occupational therapy as a career and how an Occupational Therapy degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals. Describe how your personal, educational, and professional background will help you achieve your goals.

In addition, Boston University requires applicants to submit three (3) short-answer essays. Each essay should be limited to 2500 characters and submitted through the OTCAS application when prompted. The essay questions are provided below:

• The American Occupational Therapy Association currently defines Occupational Therapy as follows: “Occupational therapy enables people of all ages to participate in daily living” (AOTA, 2024). While this is one definition, occupational therapy holds many meanings for different people. We are curious about how you conceptualize occupational therapy. In your own words, what is your current understanding of occupational therapy as a practice and a profession? What do occupational therapists do, with clients and for society?
• As you consider pursuing a Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy, please reflect on your decision to choose this path over a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. In your response, please address the following: (a) What do you understand to be the key differences between the academic course work and training involved in a master’s program and a doctoral program in Occupational Therapy? (b) Why have you chosen to pursue a doctoral program rather than a master’s degree in occupational therapy?
• As a future occupational therapist, demonstrating critical consciousness with regard to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice is essential in providing effective, patient-centered care. What does it mean to you to demonstrate critical consciousness in relation to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in healthcare? How do you envision these values influencing your approach to clinical practice as an occupational therapist?

The following coursework at the college level must be completed prior to matriculation. A minimum grade of “B-“ is required (however, please review our new pass/fail policy for Spring 2020 grades at the bottom of this section). Please note the following:

• At the time of application, prerequisites may be in progress or pending (e.g., planning to take in the summer), but must be completed before starting the OTD program in September. In these cases, applicants would be accepted conditionally to Boston University.
• All courses must be completed within seven years of matriculation into the OTD program (otherwise, include a letter explaining how you have kept up-to-date on course materials).
• Courses taken to fulfill prerequisites may be taken at any accredited university or college (including community colleges and accredited online programs) and must have a minimum of 3 credit hours.

If you have any questions on whether a course you have taken (or plan to take) will fulfill a particular requirement, we encourage you to contact the Boston University OT Office in writing at OT@bu.edu and include an email attachment of the course description from the appropriate college catalog (please allow at least two business weeks for decision). If a preapproval or waiver is granted by the Entry-level OTD Admissions Committee, be sure to keep written confirmation for your records.

All transcripts for prerequisites that you have taken or are currently taking should be sent directly to OTCAS. Any questions related to the submission of transcripts should be directed to OTCAS at otcasinfo@otcas.org or 617-612-2860. Please be sure to also complete the required Boston University Program Materials section as listed on OTCAS.

1. Human Anatomy: One course with a laboratory section.
   • Note: When anatomy and physiology are taken as a combined survey course, a full complete sequence of two semesters (A&P I and II) must be taken to fulfill the two distinct Human Anatomy and Human Physiology prerequisites.
2. Human Physiology: One course (lab section optional).
3. Statistics: One course, to include descriptive and inferential statistics, correlation, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and introduction to regression analysis. A course in research design is also acceptable if it covers the relevant statistics.
4. Psychopathology: One course. Courses titled Psychology of Deviance may also be acceptable.
5. Developmental Psychology: One course. Courses titled Lifespan Development, Child Development, or Child Psychology may also be acceptable. Content on child development must be included in the course, and the course must address theories of development.

 

A select number of highly qualified candidates are invited to participate in an interview conducted via the Kira Talent platform. Our Kira Talent interview is done in an asynchronous format, so you can complete your interview on your own schedule. Early Decision interviewees will be notified via email in November, and Regular Decision interviewees will be notified in February.