| Admission deadlines: | Rolling Admissions (See program website for specific semester deadlines.) |
| Applications: | The application for the Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program includes both the OTCAS Application (Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service) and the GW Online Application. Both applications, no more than three (3) outstanding prerequisites, and all supporting documentation (application fees, supplemental essay question, letters of recommendation (2), official transcripts) must be received by the deadline for the application to be reviewed. |
| Application Fees: | The fee for using OTCAS is based on the number of programs the applicant designates. Meeting OTCAS’ eligibility criterion for a fee waiver does not guarantee a waiver will be granted for the supplemental application fees. |
| A limited number of application fee waivers are available for the GW Online Application. | |
| Program Requirements: | Eligible students must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited institution. There are no preferred undergraduate majors for occupational therapy. Diverse backgrounds and perspectives are welcome at GW and in the profession. |
| Letters of Recommendation: | Three (3) letters of recommendation must be submitted with your OTCAS application. |
| Official Transcripts: | Official transcripts from every college and university attended must be submitted directly to OTCAS. All transcripts must be submitted, whether or not a degree was earned. |
| All non-U.S. transcripts (including those in English) must be evaluated by World Education Services and submitted directly to OTCAS. | |
| Supplemental Essay Question: | In an essay of 250 to 500 words, please describe how your personal life experiences and choices, reflect the mission of the GW Occupational Therapy program. Mission: The GW OT program prepares graduates to deliver evidence-informed occupational therapy with a global reach, who advocate for the profession, and become leaders whose leadership demonstrates a commitment to ensuring occupational justice and inclusive engagement in society. |
| Additional Information: | In an essay of no more than 500 words, include anything that you would like us to know that was NOT covered elsewhere in your application. |
| Prerequisites: | It is recommended that prerequisite courses be taken within the last five (5) years. Prerequisite courses taken over 5 years and professional experiences will be individually assessed. Students must have a minimum B- grade in the following prerequisite courses: |
| Human Anatomy with lab (3 credits lecture & 1 credit lab) | |
| Physiology (3 credits) (Two semesters of a combined Anatomy & Physiology course in lieu of individual Anatomy and Physiology courses). | |
| Introduction to Psychology (3 credits) (Psychology major in lieu of Intro to Psych; non-Psychology majors cannot use an upper-level Psychology course in lieu of Intro to Psychology requirement; Psychology and non-Psychology majors must have a specific Psychopathology course). | |
| Psychopathology or Abnormal Psychology (3 credits) (Psychology and non-psychology majors must have a specific psychopathology course). | |
| Lifespan Human Development (3 credits) (One course across the lifespan or two courses across different life phases. Human Development courses are often taken within Psychology or Education courses). | |
| Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology (3 credits) (Sociology or Anthropology major in lieu of Intro to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology). | |
| Statistics (3 credits) (Statistics, Biostatistics, or Basic Research Methodology courses may satisfy this requirement). | |
| Policies: | Before applying, all applicants are required to review the following: Technical Standards/Essential Functions for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program (https://occupationaltherapy.smhs.gwu.edu/eotd-technical-standards-essential-functions) Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening Policy (https://smhs.gwu.edu/academics/health-sciences/academics/admissions/background-checks-and-drug-screenings). |
| International applicants: | International students should check with individual programs regarding eligibility for visa sponsorship. Generally, online and hybrid programs are not eligible for student visa sponsorship from GW. This includes transfer students from any other institution with an existing visa. |
| Applicants who have not completed a post-secondary degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction must submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or the Duolingo English Test scores to be considered for admission. The following are the minimum scores for admission consideration: | |
| - Academic IELTS: An overall band score of 7.0, with no individual band score below 6.0. | |
| - TOEFL: 600 paper-based or 100 internet-based. | |
| - PTE: Overall score of 68 | |
| - DET: Overall score of 120 | |
| Undergraduate applicants who meet one of the following conditions can be considered for admission without submitting TOEFL, PTE or IELTS or DET scores: | |
| Scores cannot be more than two years old. To ensure TOEFL scores are sent to GW, use institutional code 5246. An institutional code is not required to send IELTS or PTE scores to GW. DET scores must be submitted via the Duolingo English Test system directly to GW. | |
| Based on their application and the results of the English proficiency examination students can be required to take English for Academic Purposes (EAP) during their first year of study at GW. GW evaluates each application holistically and applicants can be recommended for EAP even if they meet the requirements for exemption. Students placed in EAP courses should anticipate additional tuition expenses as well as possible extension of time needed to complete their degree programs. |
Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:
Office of Admissions
Health Sciences Programs
The George Washington University
2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 2000
Washington, DC 20006
For questions contact:
hsphora@gwu.edu
202-994-0384
9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday
The following requirements must be fulfilled: 104 credits in required courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Curricular Sequence | ||
| Semester 1 (fall) | ||
| OT 8000 | Neuroscience for Rehabilitation | |
| OT 8012 | Health in Social and Population Contexts | |
| OT 8101 | Human Occupation I | |
| OT 8110 | Group Dynamics | |
| Semester 2 (spring) | ||
| OT 8001 | Movement Science | |
| OT 8002 | Human Development and Behavior | |
| OT 8102 | Human Occupation II | |
| OT 8501 | Research in Occupational Therapy Practice I | |
| OT 8401 | Occupational Therapy Fieldwork IA | |
| Semester 3 (summer session) | ||
| OT 8201 | Occupational Therapy for Mental Health | |
| OT 8231 | Case Analysis I | |
| OT 8310 | Advocacy and Systems of Occupational Therapy Care | |
| OT 8402 | Occupational Therapy Fieldwork IB | |
| OT 8502 | Research in Occupational Practice II | |
| Semester 4 (fall) | ||
| OT 8202 | Occupational Therapy for Adult Rehabilitation | |
| OT 8232 | Case Analysis II | |
| OT 8311 | Leadership and Management | |
| OT 8403 | Occupational Therapy Fieldwork IC | |
| OT 8503 | Research in OT Practice III | |
| Semester 5 (spring) | ||
| OT 8203 | Occupational Therapy for Children and Youth | |
| OT 8204 | Occupational Therapy and Technology | |
| OT 8233 | Case Analysis III | |
| OT 8404 | Occupational Therapy Fieldwork ID | |
| OT 8601 | Doctoral Experience I | |
| Semester 6 (summer session) | ||
| OT 8234 | Case Analysis IV | |
| OT 8405 | Fieldwork Experience 2A | |
| OT 8602 | Doctoral Experience II | |
| Semester 7 (fall) | ||
| OT 8312 | Reflective Practitioner | |
| OT 8406 | Fieldwork Experience 2B | |
| OT 8603 | Doctoral Experience III | |
| Semester 8 (spring) | ||
| OT 8604 | Doctoral Experience IV | |
| OT 8313 | Professional Development | |