Occupational Therapy Admission Requirements
Application Cycle
** THE APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 15, 2023 FOR THIS ADMITTANCE CYCLE**
Applications are accepted between mid July and January 15, 2023.
Applications are available mid July, 2022 - mid January 2023 on OTCAS Login for the next admitting cohort to begin the Fall 2023 semester.
NOTE: If you are qualified after the application evaluation, interview invitations will be sent to your email address listed in OTCAS by mid February. Interviews will be held early March. If your application continues to be qualified, seat offers will be made by early April for a fall semester start.
Admission options
The accelerated, or 3+2 route, provides you an opportunity to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree within five years. Only Murray State Exercise Science students that complete specific requirements* will be eligible to apply for the accelerated option. If accepted into the OT program, conferral of the bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science will occur after the fourth year of study and conferral of the MSOT degree will occur upon completion of all MSOT program requirements.
Murray State's Accelerated route eligibility requirements:
- 30 or fewer credit hours to complete the requirements of an EXS baccalaureate degree
- overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.2 at time of application
- prerequisite grade point average of at least 3.2 at time of application
Related University Policy
NOTE: Federal regulations permit undergraduate students to receive financial assistance only for coursework required for their current degree program. Students who are enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate coursework in the same semester will receive less financial aid than if only enrolled for undergraduate coursework. Students are strongly advised to contact Murray State University’s Office of Financial Aid to find out how their financial aid amount would be adjusted. University scholarship, tuition waivers, athletic certification, and veteran’s benefits may also be impacted. Graduate tuition will be charged for all coursework upon accelerated graduate admission.
The traditional route is if you have earned a bachelor’s degree in any area from an accredited university. If you have completed (or will complete prior to admission) all MSOT program requirements, including specific prerequisite coursework, etc. you are eligible to apply for MSOT program admission.
*You must meet the Murray State University requirements for graduate programs.
Admission requirements
GPA requirements vary depending on the applicant’s route of entry
- Accelerated route: A cumulative and prerequisite GPA of greater than or equal to 3.2 on a 4.0 scale is required.
- Traditional route: A cumulative and prerequisite GPA of greater than or equal to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.
The applicant must provide documentation of at least 80 clock hours of observation, volunteer, or paid experience in two or more occupational therapy settings. At least 40 of the required hours must be under the supervision of licensed occupational therapy practitioner. The applicant is responsible for creating and maintaining the timesheet. All timesheets must be dated and signed by the supervising professionals.
The applicant must provide three professional references. At least one of the references must be from a licensed OT practitioner who has supervised the applicants work, volunteer, or observation time in the clinical setting. The other two references must be from professional relationships. References must provide insight as to the applicant’s professionalism and potential as a graduate student.
The applicant must provide scores from the GRE taken within the past five years. Use the GRE code: 4729 when reporting to OTCAS.
Prior to the deadline, the applicant must apply through Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS) and designate Murray State University to receive the application.
Students who are not native speakers of English must demonstrate competence in written and spoken English. This can be done by submitting a satisfactory score on the GRE as well as the TOEFL or IELTS, taken within two years of the date of application. The MSOT program at Murray State requires a TOEFL (iBT) score of 90 with no less than 20 on each sub-score. An overall score of 6.5 with no section below 6.0.
An Applicant with coursework/degree(s) from outside the United States must have his/her transcripts reviewed by Murray State's International Admissions Office or an approved credentialing agency. An original report must be submitted.
Application procedure
- Create an account to submit application at OTCAS and complete all sections as directed.
- Enter all current and completed college courses; you will need a personal copy of transcripts from all colleges & universities attended to complete parts of the application.
- Download Transcript Request Forms for each college attended to arrange for an official transcript to be sent to OTCAS [in the 'Colleges Attended' section].
- Complete all sections in the 'Program Materials' area. Click on each tab at the top of the program page for instructions.
- Submit your completed application to OTCAS designating Murray State University, KY, between mid July and mid January of each calendar year to be considered for each fall entrance.
- If you are qualified, you will be invited for a formal interview in February at Murray State University--Paducah Regional Campus, 4430 Sunset Ave., Paducah KY 42001.
- If you are offered a seat, you will be notified by mid March.
- Wait to hear from Murray State Occupational Therapy Program via email regarding the status of your application.
- When you are invited to accept a seat, please apply for Graduate School at Murray State University
>Please do not apply to Murray State University Graduate School until you are notified to do so.
Prerequisites
All students must successfully complete prerequisite coursework with a grade of B or better. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities the applicant attended must be submitted. At least 6 of the 8 required courses must be complete to be considered for admittance. The remaining courses, if applicable, must be completed satisfactorily prior to the start of OT coursework, and by the end of Murray State University Spring Semester. All courses must be taken from an accredited university/college.
- Human Anatomy (BIO 227/228) and Human Physiology (BIO 229/230), minimum 4 credit hours each, both require lab.
*Please note, Anatomy and Physiology I and II courses are acceptable, but not offered at MSU - College Chemistry (CHE 111 or 201) or Physics (PHY 130/131) with lab (no introduction courses); minimum 4 credit hours
- Psychology (PSY 180) minimum 3 credit hours
- Lifespan/Developmental Psychology (PSY 260) minimum 3 credit hours
- Abnormal Psychology (PSY 307) minimum 3 credit hours
- Statistics (STA 135) minimum 3 credit hours
- Medical Terminology (BIO 120 or 220) minimum 1 credit hour
Occupational Therapy Curriculum
Required after acceptance
After admittance, you will receive additional information on how to provide official documentation, including proof of satisfactory completion of the following:
- Current Basic Life Support/CPR certification for the Health Professional
- Professional Liability Insurance (admitted students will be provided detailed requirements of coverage)
- Proof of medical insurance coverage--annually and must cover the duration of the OT program
- Physical examination--annually and must cover the duration of the OT program
- Drug screen (will complete upon acceptance to OT program)
- Immunization record (including Hepatitis B or signed HBV waiver, influenza, TB, MMR, varicella, TDAP, etc.)
- Criminal background check (will complete upon acceptance to OT program)
- Fingerprinting and/or Child and Family Service Review as requested per specific facility needs
Students in the MSOT program must have a laptop computer that includes wireless connection to the internet. Murray State University uses the distance learning platform called Canvas. Students will be required to upload documents and assignments in Microsoft Word format (free access for students through Murray State) , download & access videos and other electronic information for class materials, and have access to scanning capabilities.