Post-Baccalaureate Program for Occupational Therapy
Post-Baccalaureate Program for Occupational Therapy
Program Description
A post-baccalaureate certificate provides an opportunity for students to complete required foundational courses and professional preparation necessary for entrance into an Occupational Therapy education program.
Occupational Therapy Program Application and Admission
Eligibility for Pre-Admission:
- Achieve and maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative and science GPA (on a 4.0 scale) each semester throughout the Post-Baccalaureate Occupational Therapy (PostBacOT) program
Post Bacc Occupational Therapy Program Prerequisites
Eligibility for acceptance into the PostBacOT program at Rockhurst includes:
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA minimum of at least 3.0
- Strong interest in and motivation for pursuing a career in occupational therapy
Application Process:
- Applying to the Occupational Therapy program at Rockhurst is done through OTCAS – the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service
- Application requirements include:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Observation hours – two different OT settings for a total of 16 hours
- Three professional references/letters of recommendation
- Personal essay
- Cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended
- Minimum combined science prerequisite GPA of 3.5 or higher is recommended
**Requirements are subject to change. It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the Office of Graduate Admission to inquire about changes before submitting an application.
Program Cost
This program is charged the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Health Certificate rate of $600 per credit hour.
Contact Information
Pre-Health Program Directors
Annie Lee, Ph.D.
Laura Salem, Ph.D.
The OTD program has reached Preaccreditation Status through ACOTE. The program must complete an on-site evaluation and be granted full Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). The contact information for the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) is 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929; (301) 652-6611.
Learning Outcomes
Post-Baccalaureate Occupational Therapy Program
An Occupational Therapy degree from Rockhurst University will prepare you to contribute to your community’s health and wellness. Our comprehensive and fully accredited curriculum is presented in an educational climate that is innovative and mimics real-world practices. Expert faculty members offer a combination of classroom-based education and fieldwork experiences.
The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program will be transitioning to an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) in summer 2021. Students starting the Post-Baccalaureate Occupational Therapy (PostBacOT) program in summer 2020 or beyond will be applying for the OTD program following the requirements listed on our website.
Students can qualify for Pre-Admission into the OTD program upon successful completion of the PostBacOT program at Rockhurst. PostBacOT students may be awarded a Pre-Admission guarantee based on a combination of criteria. Those who are offered Pre-Admission are still required to follow the same application and interview process as required for all students.
Experiences
Completion of Coursework
Students develop personalized plans each semester with academic advisors and the program directors, Annie Lee, Ph.D. and Laura Salem, Ph.D. Summer coursework on our Kansas City, Missouri, campus is available in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and Physics. In addition to basic prerequisite courses, students have the opportunity to take additional coursework to enhance their application and preparedness for the OT program.
Program Attributes
- Cohort size of 48 students
- Personalized academic and professional coaching
- Open-door access to professors
- Free tutoring and supplemental instruction
- Pre-Health LMS page to communicate research, volunteer and shadowing opportunities in Missouri, Kansas and additional Midwest states
- Kaplan Institutional Partnership with heavily discounted MCAT, DAT, PCAT and GRE courses
Outcomes
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). It enables people to function in all of their environments (e.g. home, work, school, community) and addresses the physical, psychological and cognitive aspects of their well-being through engagement in occupation.
– American Occupational Therapy Association
