TO APPLY

Applications for Fall 2023 are closed.

The Alabama State University Department of Occupational Therapy subscribes to the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). Applicants for the Fall 2024 entering class should apply online using the OTCAS application once the portal reopens Summer 2023.

 

GET STARTED

To get started, visit the OTCAS portal at  https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login. Directions for document submission appear on the OTCAS website.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The Department of Occupational Therapy only admits students one time per year (Fall semester). The application deadline is November  1 of the previous Fall semester, each year. For example, students wanting to enter the Fall of 2024 will complete their application by Nov.1,2023 Applications must be verified by Nov.1.

 

APPLICATION QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about the application process, please call us at 334-229-5056.

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree (minimum 3.0 undergraduate grade point average [GPA] with official transcripts)
• Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to be considered for the program 
• ASU OT Program prerequisite courses - grade of "B" or better recommended in each
• Applicants are also required to have 3 different letters of recommendation. Typically, letters are provided by the following: an employer, licensed OT you shadowed, or an academic professor. If applicants are unable to achieve this requirement due to COVID-19, their case will be reviewed individually to identify an alternative individual to provide a letter of recommendation prior to the application deadline.    
• Early Determination (a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure). This will be completed at the time of the Onsite Interview.
• Observation/Volunteer Hours (minimum of 40 hours in 2 facilities/settings within 12 months of submission). These hours must be completed at the time of application. Virtual observation hours are also available by completing the Occupational Therapy Online Shadowing Experience (Credit: C. Lucas, 2020) modules available at https://rise.articulate.com/share/oqbmWqPTs5TB36aI5R7DUMblwykJiY_Y You will need to secure the log-in information from ASU OT (jtyner@alasu.edu) in order to access this particular site.  If you choose this option, you will upload assignments and reflections as observation documentation in the OTCAS portal prior to the application deadline (November 1, 2020). 
• Onsite Interview:  Candidates selected for the required Onsite Interview will be notified in January. The required onsite interviews will be scheduled in February.
• Students may apply with up to two (2) outstanding prerequisites, provided they fall into one of the following categories:
  One (1) or two (2) prerequisites in progress during the Spring semester.
  One (1) missing prerequisite, scheduled for the Summer semester.
  One(1) prerequisite in progress during the Spring semester & one (1) scheduled for the Summer semester
• Students with two (2) or more outstanding prerequisites (none in progress) will NOT be considered for admission.
• Applicants must complete a minimum of 40 shadowing hours under a licensed occupational therapist and these must be completed at time of application. If applicants are unable to achieve this requirement due to COVID-19, this will not impact your application as each case will be considered on an individual basis. Resources will be available on the ASU OT and OTCAS webpages to help ensure an understanding of occupational therapy in a variety of settings.
• Online resources that provide an introduction to occupational therapy can be found by clicking here.

 

OT PREREQUISITE COURSES

PREREQUISITE COURSE/SUBJECT AREA	TOTAL NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED
Introduction to Psychology	3
Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology	3
Abnormal Psychology	3
Behavioral Science Elective Course *	3
English/Writing/Literature	6
College Algebra or above	3
Statistics	3
General Biology with Lab	4
Biological Science Elective with Lab **	4
Human Anatomy with Lab ***	4
Human Physiology with Lab ***	4
Physics with Lab (Kinesiology or Biomechanics may be substituted)	4

* Recommended behavioral science elective courses include sociology, psychology of learning, theories of personality, psychology of gender, etc.

** Recommended biology elective courses include cell biology, histology, molecular biology, microbiology, or immunology

*** Human Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) I and II may be substituted for separate courses in human anatomy and physiology. Courses must be taken in sequence. If you take A&P I, you must take A&P II. If you take Anatomy, you must take Physiology.

Prerequisites and program courses are subject to change without notice.

 

NOTIFICATION

The Program anticipates notifying applicants by March 30, 2024 of their status. At that time, additional information will be provided to selected applicants regarding the Alabama State University School of Graduate Studies admissions process. All selected program applicants must be admitted into the Alabama State University School of Graduate Studies prior to enrolling in any Occupational Therapy courses. 

 

APPLICATION MATERIALS	SUBMISSION DIRECTIONS PROVIDED BY	DEADLINE
OTCAS Application	OTCAS   Visit www.otcas.org for specific instructions on document submission.	ALL OTCAS APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE COMPLETE BY AND VERIFIED BY November 1, 2023 for  Fall 2024 The Application Cycle has Closed for 2023
Official MAT or GRE Results - report in OTCAS under "Grad Test" (WAIVED)
Official Transcripts from all Colleges/Universities attended with all prerequisite courses completed
Three (3) Recommendation Letters – 1 must be completed by an occupational therapy practitioner
Two (2) Observation/Volunteer Forms – 40 hours minimum in 2 facilities/settings
ASU OT Early Determination Review	ASU OT	Will be completed at the time of the onsite interview.
PERSONAL INTERVIEWS are required in the admissions process. Qualified applicants will be notified via e-mail if they are selected for an interview.
Selected Applicant Interviews	February  2024 for Fall 2024 Cohort Applicants
SELECTED APPLICANT NOTIFICATION: March 30, 2024
Graduate School Application Process	ASU OT	You will receive instruction regarding this step ONCE you are accepted to the Occupational Therapy Program.