Admissions Requirements and Checklist

The OT program uses the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). To learn more about the application process and schedule, visit the OTCAS website. You'll find information specific to our program listed under the Participating Programs link on the left side of the page, then select College of St. Scholastica.

All St. Scholastica students who apply to the Occupational Therapy Program will be given priority review. Priority review means that applicants who have earned a degree (or will earn a degree prior to starting the OT Program) from St. Scholastica will be reviewed prior to applicants with degrees from other colleges or universities. Priority review does not mean guaranteed admission.

• B.A./B.S. degree from a regionally accredited institution. No specific baccalaureate major is required
• Minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 3.0
• Complete all prerequisites with a grade of C or better and within 10 years of application
• Complete a minimum of 40 hours of observation with an Occupational Therapist. Observation experience in more than one clinical setting is preferred.  It is suggested that applicants aim for a minimum of 20 hours in two different clinical settings that address the needs of distinct patient/client populations. Additional hours beyond 40 will be viewed favorably.
• GRE scores obtained within the 5 years prior to application and sent to the CSS OTCAS code of 1995
• A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. An individual, who has a felony background and is considering entering an occupational therapy program, can have his or her background reviewed prior to actually applying for the exam by requesting an Early Determination Review. 
• Students who apply to the MS in OT program will be expected to perform a minimum number of Technical Standards and Essential Requirements.

Note: Meeting minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission. Exceptions to minimum criteria may be made at the discretion of the admissions committee.

The 2015/2016 academic year will mark the end of the FACT admission option to the Occupational Therapy Program.

FACT is a criterion based, early admission program for the graduate Occupational Therapy Program. The program is available for first-year students at The College of St. Scholastica. Students who declare their intent to pursue a master's degree in occupational therapy will be guaranteed admission to that program after completion of their baccalaureate degree if they meet the plan criteria. 

Applicants applying by the November 15, 2016, deadline for the summer 2017 entry must meet these prerequisites:

For applicants planning a June 2017 start, please note the following change: all but two prerequisite courses must be complete (with grades on transcripts) at the time of application. The remaining two prerequisites must be completed and grades submitted by June 6, 2017.

• General Psychology
• Lifespan Development Psychology
• Anatomy & Physiology I and II (or human anatomy and human physiology courses), labs preferred
• An introductory Sociology or Anthropology course
• Medical Terminology
• Statistics
• Research Methods
• Courses in physics, pathophysiology, and abnormal psychology are recommended

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit will not be accepted for prerequisite courses. The OT Program does not give credit for work experience or credits taken while enrolled in another OT Program toward prerequisite or in-program courses.

Due to the high volume of interest in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at The College of St. Scholastica, the Office of Graduate Admissions does not review unofficial transcripts to determine the completion of prerequisite coursework. In most cases, course titles match. If you have specific questions about a particular course, please reference our transfer credit center to determine if the course meets the stated requirement.

Official transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended or where credit was earned must be sent to OTCAS. Instructions are indicated on the OTCAS application.

1. Submit an OTCAS application (reference OTCAS for application instructions/requirements)
2. In the OTCAS application, submit contact information for three people to submit recommendation information/letters on your behalf.
3. Applications completed by the Nov. 15 deadline will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review and an admissions decision.
4. The Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee may request interviews.

If you have international transcripts or non-citizen status, you will need to complete the online program application and send additional documentation. Please see the International Admissions Policy for complete details.

There are many financial aid options available to help you pay for your education. Contact the OneStop Student Services office early in the application process at (877) 287-8716 or onestop@css.edu.

• After you are emailed a decision regarding your application, please inform us of your decision (accept or decline the offer, if one is made) via the Intent to Enroll form linked in the email.
• Submit $500 non-refundable deposit
• Submit Student Health Services forms, including the immunization form, through the COR student portal/My Health/Forms.

As a college student at St. Scholastica, you get to take the lead in your own education and assume responsibility for your success. Please use our accepted students information page to help you along the way, and remember, your advisors and instructors are here to guide and support you as you proceed through your journey toward a degree.