Admissions
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Admission Requirements
Admission into the occupational therapy doctoral program (OTD) is competitive and selective due to a limited class size.
Applicants accepted into the program will be assessed a nonrefundable enrollment fee, which will be applied to the first-year tuition.
The program does not accept outside course work, work experience or experiential learning in place of any OTD curriculum course. The program does not offer advanced placement or admission based on ability to benefit.
In addition to the general admission requirements for UMMC and SHRP, candidates seeking admission into the occupational therapy doctoral program must also meet the following minimum requirements:
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning or submission of a plan of study which outlines completion of a baccalaureate degree prior to summer enrollment. There is not a required major for the baccalaureate degree;
- Earn a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale;
- Provide evidence of 24 hours of observation under an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant in at least three (3) varied occupational therapy clinical departments (i.e., practice settings) within the two (2) calendar years preceding the application deadline. A maximum of eight (8) observation hours can be obtained from completion of an internship, employment in a setting (i.e. working as a rehab technician), volunteering in a setting, and/or completing UMMC online virtual observation modules; (click here for the form)
- Complete all prerequisite courses with the following stipulations. Students should have completed or be enrolled in atleast four (4) of the seven (7) prerequisite courses by the application deadline. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or better on each prerequisite course with a minimum prerequisite average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and
- Upon request, complete an interview with representatives from the Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee.
*Note: GRE scores will no longer be required for students applying to enter the OTD program in May 2024 or later.
| Prerequisite Courses* | Number of Courses | Semester Hours |
| Statistics1 | 1 | 3 |
| General Psychology | 1 | 3 |
| Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology | 1 | 3 |
| Anatomy and Physiology with Lab2 | 2 | 8 |
| Physics with Lab or Advanced Kinesiology Course (300 level or above) 3 | 1 | 3-4 |
| Biological or Physical Science (300 level or above) | 1 | 3-5 |
| Total prerequisites | 24-26 |
1 Statistics may include courses such as Elementary, Behavioral or Introductory.
2 One course of pure human anatomy with lab AND one course of pure physiology with lab is equivalent to two combined anatomy and physiology with lab courses.
3Introduction to Kinesiology is not acceptable for this prerequisite requirement
* Survey and Technical courses are not acceptable for any prerequisite course requirement.
* Courses beyond the required prerequisites (above) which may be helpful to the student in the OTD program include: medical terminology; advanced science courses; psychology courses and/or research courses.
*Observation Hours adjustments due to COVID-19.
As we continue to monitor the coronavirus (COVID -19) and associated restrictions, our priority is the safety and well-being of our applicants and for the medical institutions who are committed to providing excellent care to our fellow Mississippians. While we must continue to uphold the integrity of our admission process, we also recognize the need to offer some flexibility as related to in person observation hours.
Please note that when it is possible to obtain in person observation experiences, we encourage you to do so.
Observation hours for the 2025 OTD application cycle shall be accepted as follows:
- Provide evidence of 24 hours of observation under an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant in at least three (3) varied occupational therapy clinical departments (i.e., practice settings) within the two (2) calendar years preceding the application deadline. A maximum of eight (8) observation hours can be obtained from completion of an internship, employment in a setting (i.e. working as a rehab technician), volunteering in a setting, and/or completing UMMC online virtual observation modules; Click here to link to the virtual observation modules and instructions.
Once the minimum number of hours is complete, applicants should upload the in person observation form(s) and the entire virtual observation reflection document together in one combined file/attachment to the admission application in Workday.