Doctor of Occupational Therapy Freshman Direct Entry Admission

Freshman Direct Entry Admission  

High school students can earn their seats in Rockhurst University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program as a first-time college freshman. 

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 degree while having a guaranteed spot in the OTD program. No additional application 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: 

  1. 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. 
  2. 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. 

Advantages of Freshman Direct Entry 

  • A graduate-level seat in the OTD cohort is saved for you! (See maintenance criteria below) 
  • No additional application to get into the professional/graduate-level program. 
  • No admission interview is required. 

Freshman Direct Entry Admission Requirements:  

  • Prerequisite coursework consists of college preparatory high school curriculum.  
  • Admission consideration begins at a 3.2 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.  

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:  

  • Maintain at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA and 3.2 science prerequisite GPA annually (on a 4.0 scale).  
  • Provide the OT Department with a copy of their transcript following the completion of each spring semester for review.  
  • Complete all RUOT prerequisite courses.  
  • 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 every semester with a representative from the OT Program.  

Traditional Entry  

Students who have completed all prerequisite coursework and earned a bachelor's degree in any field of study by the end of the spring semester prior to beginning the OTD program start are encouraged to apply. This would apply to students graduating from another college or university, or Rockhurst University students who may have experienced their calling to the OT field a little later in their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. 

Post-Baccalaureate  

Students from accredited universities are welcome to apply to Rockhurst. Typically, students apply while in the last year of their undergraduate degree with a plan to enter the graduate program upon the degree's completion.  

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: