Admission Requirements

Click here for the TSU Graduate Catalog 2023-2024
Program admission is made through the Graduate School of Tennessee State University and the OTCAS application system. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission due to the competitive nature of the MOT program. In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, documentation of the following is required:

1. Completion of a cumulative undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. This requires sending official transcripts from all colleges you have attended to OTCAS with TSU ETS Code: 1893.

2. Completion of the following prerequisite courses within the last 10 years with a minimum grade of "C" (C- cannot be accepted). Six of the nine courses must be completed by September 30th, to apply for the following fall class. Please complete the Academic Update in OTCAS during the availability time. All prerequisites must be completed by the first day of class to join the August cohort. Acceptable TSU courses are listed, non-TSU courses that are not listed per class-name will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The 2023-2024 application cycle has been extended, we are accepting applications on a rolling basis through OTCAS until June 7th, 2024 for the Fall 2024 cohort. Applicants should have all pre-requisite classes completed at the time of submitting for the June 7^th deadline.

Beginning in the Fall 2024-2025 application cycle for the Fall 2025 cohort class, all prerequisite courses must be completed no later than June 1st and transcripts must be received in OTCAS during the Academic Update or received by the TSU OT department by June 30th to maintain a spot in the August cohort.

General Psychology	3 credits	TSU acceptable class: PSYC 2010
Abnormal Psychology	3 credits	TSU acceptable class: PSYC 3210
Developmental Psychology covering the lifespan	3 credits	TSU acceptable class: PSYC 3510
Anatomy and Physiology I	4 credits	TSU acceptable class: BIOL 2210/2211
Anatomy and Physiology II	4 credits	TSU acceptable class: BIOL 2220/2221
Statistics	3 credits	TSU acceptable class: HCAP 4900, PSYC 2180, PSYC 2125, or HLSC 4010
Medical Terminology	1-3 credits	TSU acceptable class: HIMA 1040
Physics, Kinesiology, or Biomechanics	3-4 credits	TSU acceptable class: PHYS 2010/2011 (TSU requires MATH 1720 or 1730 w/C or better)
Introductory course in Sociology or Anthropology	3 credits	TSU acceptable class: SOCI 2010

3. Completion of a minimum of 30 hours of observation, volunteer, or work with an occupational therapist (OTR/L) in a minimum of two practice settings and populations. Examples of practice settings include inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient clinics, school systems, long-term care facilities, home health, and community settings. Examples of client populations include pediatrics, adults, geriatrics, mental health, and hand therapy. Observation hours with a COTA can no longer be accepted. Observation hours must be documented with the signatures of the licensed OT being shadowed. You may use any form that captures the required elements, however here is an optional form to document observation hours to upload into OTCAS: Observation Hours Form

4. Submission of a minimum of 3 professional and/or academic references or letters of recommendation are required. Family members or personal friends will not be accepted.

5. Payment of TSU Graduate School's $35 fee is completed through OTCAS. The payment can be made through the following link and you may "check yes" for graduate school payment in OTCAS. Graduate Application Fee

Please note: GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO SIT FOR THE NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION FOR THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, ADMINISTERED BY THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR CERTIFICATION IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (NBCOT®). AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS EXAM, THE GRADUATE WILL BE AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, REGISTERED (OTR). IN ADDITION, ALL STATES REQUIRE LICENSURE TO PRACTICE; HOWEVER, STATE LICENSES ARE USUALLY BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE NBCOT CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION. A FELONY CONVICTION MAY AFFECT A GRADUATE’S ABILITY TO SIT FOR THE NBCOT CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION OR ATTAIN STATE LICENSURE.”

The NBCOT Board of Directors has approved the implementation of background checks as part of the exam process. This enhancement offers the unique opportunity to apply a national standard to all entry-level practitioners in support of NBCOT’s mission of public protection. Background checks will be completed as part of the exam application process for all first-time applicants beginning January 1, 2018. Candidates reapplying for the exam will not be subject to a background check. There is no change to the application fee as a result of this addition. Please refer to the NBCOT Certification Exam Handbook for additional information.

The NBCOT character review will continue to be guided by the character questions found on page 8 of the NBCOT Certification Exam Handbook. An additional review will be conducted only when an incident results in an affirmative answer to one or more character questions.