Academic Prerequisites

OT Instructor with a Class

Our students engage in diverse, complex and specific experiences essential to occupational therapy

Prerequisites are courses that are required for entry into the MOT program. All prerequisites must be completed before beginning the MOT program; they can be planned or in progress while applying to the program, but applicants are expected to take no more than two prerequisites in the summer immediately prior to entering the program. Prerequisites must be completed by August 1 of the year in which you begin the program; for example, for Fall 2027 admission, courses must be complete by August 1, 2027.

Applicants are responsible for ensuring they are on track to fulfill prerequisites by using the guides of approved coursework below, or confirming with admissions staff by obtaining a prerequisite evaluation.

Prerequisite notes

Four out of the seven 'core' prerequisite courses must be completed at the time of application submission, including two of the following three courses:

  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology
  • Statistics

Human Anatomy

One course, lab recommended but not required

Human Physiology

One course, lab recommended but not required

OR Human Anatomy and Physiology 

A full anatomy and physiology sequence (typically A & P I and II) covering all systems of the body; lab recommended but not required)

Statistics

One course, covering descriptive and inferential statistics. Courses that focus on Research Methods are not sufficient. AP Statistics is accepted.

Factors of Contemporary Society to Meet Human Needs

One course; content must apply, analyze, and evaluate the role of sociocultural, socioeconomic, diversity factors, and lifestyle choices in contemporary society to meet the needs of persons, groups, communities, and populations.

General Psychology

One course, covering fundamental principles of biological, sociological, cognitive, and personality impacts on normal and abnormal psychology.

Psychopathology/ Abnormal Psychology

One course, covering diagnosis, classification, and etiologies of behavioral disorders.

Human Development Across the Lifespan

Course(s) must cover the entire lifespan (infant through old age). A series of classes is sometimes necessary to fulfill this requirement.

*Medical Terminology

One course (0-1 credits), introducing and defining medical terminology related to body structure, disease, diagnosis, and treatment.
*Not a core course; may be taken S-N.