Occupational Therapy

An occupational therapist works with patients who have conditions that are mentally, physically, or developmentally disabling. They focus on rehabilitation that promotes independence in daily activities, and in doing so they may plan treatment programs and teach patients how to use adaptive equipment.

In order to become an occupational therapist, an individual must earn a Master's of Occupational Therapy, MOT. A bachelor's degree is required for admission to an MOT program.

Degrees and Coursework

What major should I select at UNT for a pre-OT path?

Popular/Possible majors for pre-OT students at UNT:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
  • Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, General Track, College of Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Studies, College of Health & Public Service
  • Bachelor of Science in Public Health, College of Health & Public Service
  • Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies, College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

Please note that occupational therapy programs do not require a particular degree. As long as you complete a bachelor's degree, along with all prerequisites, you will meet the education requirements for a Master's in OT program. 

For more information about each major, please visit the UNT Catalog and select 'majors, minors, certificates' that is found beneath the link to ‘Catalog Home'.

What courses do I need for OT school?

Please refer to our Pre-Occupational Therapy Packet for a list of prerequisites for each Texas OT program. To review prerequisites for OT programs outside of Texas, please refer to each individual school's website. 

Applying to OT School

What makes a competitive application to OT school?

Admission to an occupational therapy program is very competitive and students should create a strategic plan well in advance. Below you will find typical categories of a competitive application. Please contact our advisors in the UNT Office of Health Professions to further explore each competitive characteristic and to create your pre-OT plan.

Recommendations for a Competitive Application:

  • Overall GPA - 3.6+ (average admitted GPAs vary by school)
  • GRE Score - Verbal: 150+ / Quantitative: 150+ / Writing: 4+
  • Shadowing/Observation - 150+ Hours in both an inpatient and outpatient setting
  • Volunteering - 150+ Hours 
  • Various Extracurricular Activities, On or Off Campus

Core Competencies for Healthcare

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) came up with a set of skills, knowledge, and personal characteristics that they believe are essential for future physicians called the pre-med core competencies. Because of its relevance to all healthcare professions, many other health professional schools have embraced the core competencies as well.  Since many, if not most, health professional schools evaluate applicants based on these competencies, we recommend that students develop proficiency in them.  More information on the AAMC Core Competencies can be found here.

Using this handout, your pre-health advisor can help you evaluate your progress on becoming a competitive applicant to OT school. 

How do I apply to OT school?

Occupational therapy programs in the United States use the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) to collect student information. The application cycle opens in July, accepting applications to enter the program the following year. Please note that there are fees associated with using these services.

When should I apply to OT school?
Candidates apply to occupational therapy schools one year before entering a program. On the traditional four-year path, students will apply during the summer after their junior year of college, complete their bachelor's degree at the end of their senior year, and enter OT school the following summer/fall semester. However, each student's timeline is different. Your UNT Health Professions Advisor is committed to helping create a plan and timeline that accommodates your individual goals and circumstances.
Do OT schools require an entrance exam?

As of 2025, the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is no longer required by most Occupational Therapy schools in Texas. Army Baylor and UT Rio Grande still require applicants to take the GRE before applying to their occupational therapy programs. Students should check the specific requirements of each occupational therapy program, as they can vary.

Additional Resources for Students

Are there any pre-health scholarships available to pre-OT students?

Yes, pre-OT students can apply for the following pre-health scholarship using the College of Science general scholarship application:

The Dr. Charles D. and Vernil Mitchell Endowed Scholarship
To be considered, a student must enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in any degree-granting major in the College of Science and be a graduate of any high school in Dallas ISD. For more information, please contact us at healthcareers@unt.edu. 

What are some additional resources for pre-OT students at UNT?

You can find a list of health-related student organizations at UNT here.  You can search for other student clubs and organizations on OrgSync.

If you are a current student, join our canvas course to receive important announcements and view resources related to your pre-OT journey.

How can I get started with creating a pre-OT plan?

If you are a current student at UNT, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our pre-health advisors using the following link: https://unt.navigate.eab.com/. If you are a prospective student, interested in enrolling at UNT in the future, and have any questions about "pre-OT" at UNT, please feel free to contact us at healthcareers@unt.edu.