Admissions
The College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation (CHER) actively seeks individuals with an undergraduate degree and diverse life experiences who desire to become occupational therapists.
Application Processing & Review
The College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation (CHER) Department of Occupational Therapy accepts applications to the Master of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program only through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).
The processing of applications by OTCAS begins July, one year prior to the year of desired enrollment. Applications must be submitted on or before May 1 of the year of desired enrollment.
• Student application reviews begin when an application is verified by OTCAS
• Interviews are scheduled and initiated, beginning in September
• Candidates meeting the requirements are admitted on a weekly basis until class capacity is reached
See a profile of the most recent Entering Class (PDF)
It is to an applicant’s advantage to apply as early as possible to ensure priority consideration for admission.
It is recommended that students with less than a 3.0 grade point average should consult the Office of Admissions prior to applying.
Criteria
To Be Considered, An Applicant Must:
• Submit a properly completed application to the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). Detailed instructions regarding the completion of the application and the essay are provided on the OTCAS website.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (or currently attending) directly to OTCAS.
• Complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, prior to enrollment. It is highly recommended that an applicant has a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Complete admissions prerequisites at the college level with a grade of ‘B-’ or better.
• Submit three letters of recommendation. Arrange to have forwarded directly to OTCAS the following letters of recommendation:
• Two letters must be written from persons with authority (i.e. Registered Occupational Therapist, faculty, work supervisor, etc.) regarding your work, professionalism and/or assessing your qualifications for graduate education, ability to complete graduate work, and qualifications for a professional scholarly career.
• One letter from a teaching faculty member (at the undergraduate level or above) or supervisor assessing your ability to complete graduate work, and qualifications for a professional scholarly career.
• Additional letters will enhance the file but will not fulfill our required letters of evaluation.
• Acquire a minimum of 8 hours of observation with a licensed occupational therapist(s); 30 hours total are strongly recommended. Observation in both pediatric and adult settings is encouraged (may be volunteer and/or employment).
• Optional: Submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score results.
• Candidates from an affiliated institution applying to the 4+2 BS/MSOT program, please review any additional requirements and deadlines.
• International Students, please review any additional requirements below.
• All credentials submitted on behalf of an applicant become a part of that applicant’s file with the University and cannot be returned.
• Students will be required to meet University compliance requirements upon matriculation.
Prerequisites
The required coursework listed below must be completed at the college level with a grade of 'B-' or better. An applicant need not have completed all prerequisites prior to filing an application, but must be able to complete all outstanding prerequisites prior to enrollment.
Credit by examination (such as AP credits) is permitted for any prerequisites needed to apply for the occupational therapy program except for the Anatomy and Physiology requirements. Anatomy and Physiology course work is required to be completed in-person; if in-person is unattainable, please contact Admissions for further review. No credit is given for experiential learning.
A total of at least 18 semester credits are required in the following areas:
• **Anatomy and Physiology 1 with lab (or Anatomy with lab)
• **Anatomy and Physiology 2 with lab (or Physiology with lab)
• Statistics (Psychology- or Sociology-based course recommended)
• Abnormal Psychology
• Development or Lifespan Psychology
• Sociology (or Cultural Anthropology)
** Anatomy and Physiology course work completed within an Exercise Science or Kinesiology department will also be accepted. Similar course work may be reviewed on a case by case basis for an approved substitution.
Prerequisite credits completed ten or more years prior to the anticipated entrance date will be reviewed for approval on an individual basis.
International Students & Practitioners
International Transcripts
For applicants who have attended foreign and French-Canadian schools, please provide the Office of Admissions with the following information:
• A course-by-course credential review from an NACES recognized agency (such as World Education Services), which evidences all post-secondary studies completed. Please consult the agency's website for requirements to complete the evaluation.
• An official evaluation may be sent from the agency directly to OTCAS.
• Instructions for submitting a foreign credential evaluation.
English Language Proficiency
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for success in a Salus University academic program as well as to help ensure patient/client/student safety and/or effective communication with members of a healthcare or education team.
Official results from the TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or DuoLingo examination are required of all non-native English speakers. One of these approved exams must be taken within two years prior to the start date of the entering class to which an applicant seeks admission.
While we recommend that applicants submit TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or DuoLingo, exceptions will be considered for foreign applicants who meet one of the following criteria*:
1. successfully completed a degree or diploma held from an accredited, post-secondary institution where the coursework was entirely in English, and provide evidence that it was conducted in English; or
2. successfully completed, and provide evidence of, an approved English language learner’s program
*Note: All exemption materials and other appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and subject to the admission committee’s final discretion. Should any exceptions not be accepted toward the English language requirement, the Office of Admissions will inform the applicant of an alternative to fulfill it.
Admissions Selection Process
For more information regarding the admissions selection, interview and matriculation process, please refer to the Salus website.
Advanced Standing or Transfer Credit
As per the College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation policy, credit by transfer may be accepted for any course within the curriculum when it is determined that the transfer course is substantially equivalent to that offered by the College and OT program. This equivalency will be determined by the course instructor and the program director. Only courses in which the student receives a grade of ‘B’ or above will be considered for transfer. The maximum number of semester hour credits a student may earn by transfer is six (6) semester hour credits. No credit is given for experiential learning.
Deferment of Admission
An accepted student with an unforeseen, extenuating circumstance prohibiting them from matriculating may request a deferment of admission in writing. The request must be directed to both the Dean of Student Affairs and the OT Program Director, and made via the Office of Admissions.
For deferment consideration, the following is required:
• A deferment request submitted in writing by May 15,before the August start of the academic year. Please note, submission of a deferral request by the deadline does not guarantee approval.
• Official documentation verifying the extenuating circumstance.
• All non-refundable deposit fees and the matriculation supplement must be received (as directed in the University’s official Letter of Acceptance.)
If deferment is approved:
• Admission will be extended to August matriculation of the next academic year.
• A deferment will not extend beyond one admission cycle.
• The student must contact the Office of Admissions, in writing, by April 1of the deferred admission calendar year regarding his/her intention to resume enrollment.
• The student will be required to meet with a member of the Admissions Committee prior to matriculation.
If a deferral request is denied:
• A student has the option to withdraw acceptance from the Program, or reapply through OTCAS for future admission.
For questions regarding this policy, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@salus.edu.
Technology Requirements
The Occupational Therapy Program has requested that students utilize laptop computers that meet certain technical capabilities for use throughout the duration of the program. These devices are required to ensure each student’s ability to access educational websites/databases/software during the didactic and clinical year. For example, students will need laptops for testing, to access evidence-based websites, Blackboard for course access, e-books and designated course materials during the didactic and clinical year. Students are responsible for the maintenance of their personal computers.