{"id":39068,"date":"2015-06-12T13:21:55","date_gmt":"2015-06-12T17:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/?page_id=39068"},"modified":"2026-05-06T10:51:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T14:51:15","slug":"admissions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/academics\/departments-programs\/occupational-therapy\/entryotd\/admissions\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Apply"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"752\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/npr1Nv-baxY\" title=\"Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy: OT Department Chair, Professor Emily Rothman\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>To apply to Boston University\u2019s Entry-Level OTD program, please submit an application through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). All credentials and application materials are processed through OTCAS (not Boston University), except for official TOEFL scores (if applicable). To begin, follow these steps:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Review our application requirements below<\/li>\n<li>Familiarize yourself with the instructions in the <a href=\"https:\/\/help.liaisonedu.com\/OTCAS_Applicant_Help_Center\">OTCAS Applicant Help Center<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/otcas.cas.myliaison.com\/applicant-ux\/#\/login\">Begin your OTCAS application<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For assistance with application-related questions, contact OTCAS customer service by email at <a href=\"mailto:otcasinfo@otcas.org\">otcasinfo@otcas.org<\/a>, by phone at 617-612-2860, or via <a href=\"https:\/\/help.liaisonedu.com\/OTCAS_Applicant_Help_Center\">online chat<\/a>. For all other questions about the Entry-Level OTD program, please contact us directly at <a href=\"mailto:sargrad@bu.edu\">sargrad@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Application Deadline<\/h2>\n<p>The 2026-2027 application cycle is closed. OTCAS will reopen in late summer.<\/p>\n<h2>Application Requirements<\/h2>\n<p>In addition to submitting an <a href=\"https:\/\/otcas.cas.myliaison.com\/applicant-ux\/#\/login\">online application<\/a> through OTCAS, the following items are required to be considered for admission to the Entry-Level OTD program:<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Official Transcripts<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Applicants should send all official transcripts directly to OTCAS (not Boston University) by following <a href=\"https:\/\/help.liaisonedu.com\/OTCAS_Applicant_Help_Center\/Sending_Your_Official_Transcripts_and_Test_Scores_to_OTCAS\/Sending_Official_Transcripts_to_OTCAS\">these instructions<\/a>. We strongly encourage you to submit all transcripts in advance of the application deadline, as OTCAS requires several weeks to verify transcripts.<\/p>\n<p>We require a formal course-by-course evaluation of all foreign transcripts by a third-party verification organization such as <a href=\"https:\/\/applications.wes.org\/cas\/\">World Education Services (WES)<\/a>. Foreign transcript evaluations should be sent directly to OTCAS (not Boston University) by following <a href=\"https:\/\/help.liaisonedu.com\/OTCAS_Applicant_Help_Center\/Sending_Your_Official_Transcripts_and_Test_Scores_to_OTCAS\/Sending_Official_Transcripts_to_OTCAS\/2_Foreign_and_French-Canadian_Transcripts\">these instructions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Standardized Test and English Proficiency Scores<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #676f6f;\">GRE scores are\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #4e5555;\">not required<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #676f6f;\"> to apply to the program. Any GRE scores submitted will not be considered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #676f6f;\">For international students whose first language is not English,<strong> official TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic scores are required<\/strong> unless you have completed a baccalaureate degree at an institution where the primary language of instruction is English. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #676f6f;\"><strong>Minimum TOEFL iBT score<\/strong>: 4.5 (equivalent to a score of 90 on former TOEFL scoring scale)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #676f6f;\"><strong>Minimum IELTS Academic score<\/strong>: 6.5<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ets.org\/toefl\/institutions\/ibt\/score-scale-update.html\">TOEFL Scoring System<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ielts.org\/take-a-test\/your-results\/ielts-scoring-in-detail\">IELTS Scoring System<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #676f6f;\">TOEFL iBT scores should be submitted electronically through ETS to <strong>OTCAS<\/strong>. IELTS Academic scores should be requested from IELTS to be released to <strong>OTCAS<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Letters of Recommendation<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>One letter should be from a person who can address your intellectual and academic abilities.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>The third letter may be from any category.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Letters of recommendation must be submitted through OTCAS by following <a href=\"https:\/\/help.liaisonedu.com\/OTCAS_Applicant_Help_Center\/Filling_Out_Your_OTCAS_Application\/Supporting_Information\/01_Evaluations\">these instructions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Essays<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>OTCAS requires all applicants to submit a personal statement that addresses the following prompt:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>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.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In addition, Boston University requires applicants to submit <strong>three (3) short-answer essays<\/strong>. Each essay should be limited to <strong>2500 characters <\/strong>and submitted through the OTCAS application when prompted. The essay questions are provided below:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The American Occupational Therapy Association currently defines Occupational Therapy as follows: &#8220;Occupational therapy enables people of all ages to participate in daily living\u201d (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?<\/li>\n<li>As you consider pursuing a Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy, please reflect on your decision to choose this path over a master&#8217;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&#8217;s program and a doctoral program in Occupational Therapy? (b) Why have you chosen to pursue a doctoral program rather than a master&#8217;s degree in occupational therapy?<\/li>\n<li>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?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Prerequisite Coursework<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>The following coursework at the college level must be completed prior to matriculation. A minimum grade of \u201cB-\u201c is required (however, please review our new pass\/fail policy for Spring 2020 grades at the bottom of this section). Please note the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>At the time of application, prerequisites <strong>may be in progress<\/strong> <strong>or pending<\/strong> (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.<\/li>\n<li>All courses must be completed <strong>within seven years of matriculation<\/strong> into the OTD program (otherwise, include a letter explaining how you have kept up-to-date on course materials).<\/li>\n<li>Courses taken to fulfill prerequisites may be taken at <strong>any accredited university or college<\/strong> (including community colleges and accredited online programs) and must have a <strong>minimum of 3 credit hours<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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<strong> two business weeks <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Human Anatomy<\/strong>: One course with a laboratory section.\n<ul>\n<li>Note: When anatomy and physiology are taken as a combined survey course, a full complete sequence of two semesters (A&amp;P I and II) must be taken to fulfill the two distinct Human Anatomy and Human Physiology prerequisites.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Human Physiology<\/strong>: One course (lab section optional).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Statistics<\/strong>: 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.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Psychopathology<\/strong>: One course. Courses titled Psychology of Deviance may also be acceptable.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Developmental Psychology<\/strong>: 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.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Recommended Observation Hours<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Boston University highly recommends that applicants understand the depth and breadth of Occupational Therapy. Applicants can arrange an observation by contacting the Department of Occupational Therapy at a local facility.<\/p>\n<p>We recommend observation experiences in at least two different service delivery settings (e.g., school, early intervention program, skilled nursing facility, community health center). Although health care experiences are not part of the official admissions criteria, and we do not seek a minimum number of hours, they do provide a basis for choosing to pursue occupational therapy. Letters of verification are not required.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Interview<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong><br \/>\nNOTE<\/strong>: All applicants should familiarize themselves with this additional information:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/academics\/departments-programs\/occupational-therapy\/entryotd\/admissions\/technical-standards-and-technology-competency\/\">Technical Standards and Technology Competency<\/a><\/li>\n<li>For more information regarding state licensing requirements, please visit the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/state-authorization\/#toplicensure\">State Authorization &amp; Distance Education website<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Progression and Retention:<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"x_MsoListParagraph\"><a href=\"\/sargent\/files\/2026\/03\/EL-OTD-StudentManual2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">EL-OTD StudentManual2025<\/a><br \/>\n(For additional information, please download the student manual.)<\/p>\n<p class=\"x_MsoListParagraph\"><span>The Boston University Entry-Level OTD program is designed for full-time study\u00a0In the unusual event that a student is approved by faculty for a part-time or extended program due to extenuating circumstances, the student must complete at least one semester of coursework on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 credits).<\/span><\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li class=\"x_MsoListParagraph\"><span>A minimum grade of pass in all professional courses (students may not repeat more than two courses, and no course may be repeated more than once)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoListParagraph\"><span>A minimum of 92 graduate-level credits from courses numbered 500 or above.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoListParagraph\"><span>Successful completion of 24 weeks of supervised Level II Fieldwork (SAR-OT593\/OT594) and 14-weeks of Doctoral Experiential Component within 24 months after finishing didactic work.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoListParagraph\"><span>Completion of all requirements within five years of initial matriculation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoListParagraph\"><span>Demonstration of appropriate professional behaviors as described in the Occupational Therapy Student Manual.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"x_MsoListParagraph\"><span>Successful completion of doctoral capstone report<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"x_MsoListParagraph\"><strong>Progression of Professional Courses<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"x_MsoListParagraph\"><span>All professional courses must be taken at Boston University in the designated sequence because the individual courses were designed as part of an integrated curriculum. No student may start LIIFW until all required professional courses have been successfully completed with a grade of Pass, \u00a0\u00a0and professional behavior and technical standards are met.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Inclusion &amp; Belonging<\/h2>\n<p>Learn about the lived experiences of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/academics\/departments-programs\/occupational-therapy\/entryotd\/bipoc-student-experiences\/\">some of our former students<\/a>. They share the highlights and challenges of studying in Boston, and identify strategies and perspectives on the next steps towards diversity, equity and inclusion, and more.<\/p>\n<p>We also you to visit the pages for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/newbury-center\/\">Newbury Center<\/a> for First Generation Students and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/diversity\/\">Office of Diversity and Inclusion<\/a>, and learn more about Associate Professor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/grad\/profile\/simone-v-gill\/\">Simone Gill,<\/a> the Graduate Affairs Faculty Fellow for Diversity and Inclusion.<\/p>\n<h2>Questions?<\/h2>\n<p>Please review our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/academics\/departments-programs\/occupational-therapy\/entryotd\/admissions\/questions\/\">Admissions FAQs<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/academics\/departments-programs\/occupational-therapy\/entryotd\/faq\/\">Program FAQs<\/a>, or contact us at <a href=\"mailto:sargrad@bu.edu\">sargrad@bu.edu<\/a>.<br \/>\n<script>\r\n  window.unibuddySettings = {\r\n    uni_id: 'boston-university-college-of-health-rehabilitation-sciences-sargent-college',\r\n    colour: '262221',\r\n    filterKey: 'degreeId',\r\n    filterValue: '62db0bf768b07e6d52769319',\r\n    domain: 'https:\/\/popcard.unibuddy.co\/',\r\n    title: 'Unibuddy Popcard',\r\n    align: 'right',\r\n    ubLang: 'en-US',\r\n    ubCookieConsent: 'necessary',\r\n  };\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<script src=https:\/\/cdn.unibuddy.co\/unibuddy-popcard.js type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\ufeff To apply to Boston University\u2019s Entry-Level OTD program, please submit an application through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). All credentials and application materials are processed through OTCAS (not Boston University), except for official TOEFL scores (if applicable). To begin, follow these steps: Review our application requirements below Familiarize yourself with the instructions [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1405,"featured_media":0,"parent":37121,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39068"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1405"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39068"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39068\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85785,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39068\/revisions\/85785"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sargent\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}