FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

1.   What is occupational therapy?
2.   How long will it take to get a MS in Occupational Therapy
3.   When is the deadline for application to the program?
4.   What is the admission process?
5.   Do I need to take the GRE?
6.   Must I have a specific undergraduate major to be accepted to the program?
7.   Can I apply before I have completed all the prerequisites?
8.   How many volunteer hours do I need?
9.   Does the Department have any scholarships?
10. How much competition is there to be accepted in to the MS in OT program?
11. Do I need a criminal background check to begin the program?
12. Can I take some of the classes in the evening or on the weekend?
13. Is the Occupational Therapy program accredited?
14. What are my chances of passing the national certification exam?
15. Is this an “easy” major?  Will I have to study?
16. What are my chances of getting a job after graduation?
17.Who can I contact if I have further questions?

1. What is occupational therapy?

A major goal of occupational therapy is to restore the individual to his or her occupational roles, which may include the roles of a child, student, worker, homemaker, and/or caretaker. Occupational therapists intervene when the capacity to adequately perform occupational roles is threatened by developmental disabilities, the effects o d the aging process, deprivation, or by disease, illness, or injury. Occupational therapy's principle focus is the restoration of human performance and functional independence in the areas of work, self-care, and leisure activities. Occupational therapists evaluate, treat, and prevent residual neuromuscular, sensor motor, cognitive and psychosocial aspects of a disease or injury process.

2.  How long will it take to get a MS in Occupational Therapy?

The full-time program of study is takes 2 ½ years to complete (71 credit hours) which includes 2 years of academic coursework and 6 months of fieldwork.

3.  When is the deadline for application to the program?

The deadline is February 1st. All admission information must be complete by the February 1st deadline for the Fall semester start date. The student must have earned a bachelor’s degree by May 31st of the admission year.  A new online application and supplemental materials are submitted each year through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).

4. What is the admission process?

Please follow the directions in the under the Prospective Students section of our website.Start the application process early. 

A complete application contains:
• MS in Occupational Therapy application through OTCAS (www.otcas.org/)
   You must arrange for OTCAS to receive your application and all required materials. The  OTCAS  program deadline is NOT the date by which your verified application must arrive at your designated programs.
• Official transcripts
• Three online references (recommendations)
• All prerequisites completed within 5 years prior to the February 1st application deadline
• Revised Graduate Record Examination Scores completed within 5 years of the application deadline
• Indication of volunteer hours and/or work experiences
• Personal Statement
• FERPA Consent Form
• TOEFL of 550 (international students only)
• Bachelor’s degree must be conferred by May 31st before the program begins.
It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that all documents are received by the application deadline.

5. Do I need to take the GRE?

The MS in Occupational Therapy program requires all parts of the Revised Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing - for all applicants.  The Revised GRE must be taken within 5 years of the application deadline. There is no minimum score, but the applicant’s score is factored into the overall evaluation of the application.  If a component is missing a score, the application will not be reviewed and will be considered incomplete.  Official GRE scores are sent to the University of Texas-Pan American Graduate School but are self-reported on OTCAS.  The Office of Continuing Education offers an online GRE Prep course to prospective grad students at http://portal.utpa.edu/utpa_main/daa_home/ogs_home/ce_home/ce_test/test_gre)/.

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6. Must I have a specific undergraduate major to be accepted to the program?

No. You must have earned a B.A. or B.S. degree in any field of study (other than occupational therapy).  Your application will be evaluated and reviewed based on its merits and in the context of the applicant pool for that year.

7. Can I apply before I have completed all the prerequisites?

All prerequisites must be completed by the application deadline.  If prerequisites are not completed then the application is considered incomplete and is not reviewed. Prerequisites may be taken at any accredited college or community college.  Internet on-line courses are acceptable.  Course substitutions must first be approved by the program Admission Chair.

8.How many volunteer hours do I need?

There is no set number of volunteer hours that you need to complete in order to be considered for admission into the program. Nor are you required to complete volunteer hours in occupational therapy through work or observation. However, It is vital that you have been exposed to volunteer experiences.

9. Does the Department have any scholarships?

Our department does offer small scholarships for disadvantage students. Students are eligible to apply once admitted to the graduate program.

10.   How much competition is there to be accepted in to the MS in Occupational Therapy program?

Acceptance to the graduate Occupational Therapy program is competitive.  Up to 32 students are accepted for each class.  The Admission Committee seeks a diverse mix of students representing a variety of ethnic, geographic and economic backgrounds.  We admit a class that is the most academically promising and able, and whose varying perspectives will serve to enrich the occupational therapy community.

11.  Do I really need a criminal background check to begin the program?

Yes, a criminal background check is now standard procedure for all those entering the College of Health Sciences and Human Services and health care fields.

12.  Can I take some of the classes in the evening or on the weekend?

No.  All MS in Occupational Therapy classes are offered during the traditional day class times.  Most are blocked to make the best use of your time on campus.  During the program you may also be required to attend off campus clinical sites which are only open during the day hours.

13.  Is the Occupational Therapy program accredited?

The Professional Program in Occupational Therapy at UTPA is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
ACOTE
4720 Montgomery Lane
P. O. Box 31220 
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220
Tel.: (301) 652-2682 (AOTA)
Fax: (301) 652-7711
(TDD): (800) 377-8555
Web site: www.aota.org

14.  What are my chances of passing the national certification exam?

Excellent.  University of Texas-Pan American Occupational Therapy Program Student Results of National Board for Certification Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Examination

15.  Is this an “easy” major?  Will I have to study?

No, this is not an easy major.  Yes, you will have to study.  The program is rigorous and quite demanding of your time.  You will need to be a serious student.

16.  What are my chances of getting a job after graduation?

Extremely high.  At the end of fieldwork, current graduates are typically offered 1-4 jobs.  You will likely have several offers from which to choose.

17.  Who can I contact if I have further questions?

For further information regarding our program, send inquiries to occtherapy@utpa.edu or call 956.665.3081.