Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Admissions Overview

Class of 2030 Admissions Cycle

The Class of 2030 cycle (Fall 2027 start) opens Thursday, July 16, 2026 on OTCAS. We use rolling admissions, so we review applications as they come in and keep scheduling interviews until the cohort is full.

• Final application deadline: July 7, 2027

Admissions Contact: [email protected]

The MU OTD Program does not require the GRE.

Prerequisite Courses

You’ll need to complete our program prerequisites alongside your degree requirements.

Observation Hours

You need at least 10 hours of in-person observation with a licensed OT professional. Try to observe two different settings or populations if you can. It’ll give you a much fuller picture of what this career actually looks like day to day, and it earns you additional application points, the same way completing recommended coursework does.

More hours than the minimum? Even better for your application.

Letters of Recommendation

You need two:

• One from a professor, teacher, or academic advisor who knows you academically.
• One from an OT professional who’s seen you in action, ideally whoever supervised your observation hours.

Heads up: OTCAS itself lets you submit up to five letters and requires at least three in their system, even though we need only these two specific categories.

Personal Essay

No word limit on this one. Use the space. Show us your writing skills, your story, your goals, and what you actually know about this profession.

Application Submission

Everyone applies through OTCAS. No supplemental application needed. We have one start date a year: mid-August.

A Few Tips

• Still finishing a prerequisite? List it anyway. You can still get an interview and an acceptance, contingent on finishing that coursework. We don’t waive prerequisites, though.
• We only review verified applications. Check OTCAS weekly so nothing sneaks up on you. Missing letters and transcripts are the usual holdups.

Required OTCAS Documents

• Official transcripts from every college you’ve attended
• Letters of recommendation (see above)
• Personal essay

International Students

You’ll need to complete the TOEFL. We don’t accept an English course or certificate as a substitute.

If you earned your degree outside the U.S., your transcripts need a World Education Services (WES) evaluation to confirm they’re equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. If WES doesn’t find equivalency, you’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree first.

Beyond that, it’s the same OTCAS process and same selection factors as everyone else. Questions? Check the Graduate Catalog or reach out to the Global Education Office. 

Applicant Review Process

Once your application is verified in OTCAS, it heads to the OTD Admissions Committee. See Applicant Review Process for exactly what happens next. 

Other Things to Know

Methodist University’s OTD Program admits without regard to race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, or disability status, and we’re committed to building a program that reflects a range of backgrounds and perspectives. Applicants and students with disabilities are encouraged to review the OTD program’s list of essential functions and to connect with the Student Access & Accommodations Office to discuss reasonable accommodations.

Felony charges or convictions can affect your ability to complete fieldwork, sit for the NBCOT licensure exam, or get licensed. Do you have questions about a prior record? Reach out to NBCOT directly.