High school students can earn their seats in Rockhurst University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program as first-time college freshmen.
The Freshman Direct Entry option provides a path toward earning both your bachelor’s undergraduate (UG) and OTD degrees. Eligible students will progress through their undergraduate degrees while having a guaranteed spot in the OTD program. No additional application is needed! While students can choose any undergraduate degree of study, there are direct curriculum pathways in Health Science, Exercise Science, and Psychology at Rockhurst University. Standard progression requirements apply. See below for details.
Freshman Direct Entry students can choose one of the following tracks:
- Fast-track (3+) pathway: Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree in 5.5 years. Students enter the professional phase of the OTD during their senior year in college.
- Traditional (4+) pathway: UG degree + Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree in 6.5 years. Students enter the professional phase of the OTD after completing their Bachelor’s Degree.
Advantage of Freshman Direct Entry for OTD
- A graduate-level seat in the OTD cohort is saved for you! (See maintenance criteria below)
Freshman Direct Entry Admission Requirements
- Prerequisite coursework consists of a college preparatory high school curriculum.
- Admission consideration begins at a 3.4 cumulative HS GPA (weighted or unweighted). Our most successful applicants have earned strong grades in math and science.
- Students may choose to submit a test score in the application process, but scores are not required for freshman direct entry consideration. Please note that while standardized test scores are not required for admission, a standardized test is ultimately required through the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) upon graduation.
RU OT Scholars Direct Entry Admission Requirements
- Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale,
- Achieve a cumulative prerequisite science and social science GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale, and
- Request a transcript evaluation from their Health Sciences Advisor at the end of sophomore year.
- The OT Admissions Committee will review transcript evaluations each summer semester for consideration of Direct Entry OT Scholars.
- Students will be notified of the OT Admissions Committee decision prior to the start of the fall semester.
- If accepted for Direct Entry OT Scholars, students must meet with their academic advisor to update their degree major to DE.
Transfer Direct Entry Admission Requirements
- Have completed between 48 – 60 hours of undergraduate work or have completed an Associate of Arts/Science degree,
- Achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale,
- Achieve a cumulative prerequisite science and social science GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale
- Applied and accepted to Rockhurst University as an undergraduate transfer student.
Direct Entry Maintenance Requirements
Students admitted (Freshman Direct Entry, Transfer, and current Rockhurst University students) into the OTD Direct Admit program are expected to meet the following requirements to maintain their respective seats: (Criteria currently on the website has been updated to the checklist below)
- Maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Maintain a cumulative prerequisite science and social science 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Engage in at least one OT activity per semester (e.g., attend PURPOSE pre-health student club) meeting, watch RUOT Capstone Presentations, observe an OT at a clinical site, participate in a service event with OT).
- Meet annually with a representative from the OT Program.
- Annual review of academic performance by the OT Admissions Committee during the summer semester.
- Complete all RUOT prerequisite requirements prior to the start of the OT program.
- Prerequisite coursework
- Observation hours – minimum 16 in two different settings
- Two References
- Essay
- Interview with OT Department faculty
- Complete the internal application in SLATE for the summer semester before the anticipated start of the program. The Graduate Admissions Office will announce when the portal is available, but it should coincide with the launch of OTCAS.
Pre-OT Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Designed for individuals seeking a mid-career change and who have earned an undergraduate degree other than pre-health, the PB Direct Entry will allow you to complete prerequisite coursework at RU in two or three semesters and earn provisional admission to the OT program. Contact Graduate Admissions at graduate@rockhurst.edu for more information.
OTD Application Process
Apply to the Rockhurst University Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.
Articulation Agreements
Rockhurst University partners with many regional institutions to offer seats in the Rockhurst Doctor of Occupational Therapy program to students with outstanding academic qualifications. Rockhurst saves seats in our OTD program for students who attend these partner universities.
For specific criteria and information about the OT department's articulation agreements, please download and print the following materials:
- Avila University - Articulation Agreement and Admissions Criteria
- Central Methodist University - Articulation Agreement and Admissions Criteria
- Lindenwood University - Articulation Agreement and Admissions Criteria
- McKendree University - Articulation Agreement and Admissions Criteria
- Missouri Western State University - Articulation Agreement and Admissions Criteria
- MidAmerica Nazarene University - Articulation and Admissions Criteria
- Truman State University - Articulation Agreement and Admissions Criteria
- University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) - Articulation Agreement and Admissions Criteria
- William Jewel College