Pre-Admission

Pre-admission Guarantee 

The occupational therapy program at Rockhurst has multiple points of entry.

For prospective freshman, transfer, and current Rockhurst students, the occupational therapy program offers several points of entry with pre-admission guarantee awards. See details below.

Undergraduate Transfer Students

Transfer Pre-admission Award
Students transferring to Rockhurst may apply for pre-admission guarantee if they have between 48 - 60 hours of undergraduate work or have completed an Associate of Arts degree or Associate of Sciences (Associate of Applied Sciences is ineligible) and have been accepted to Rockhurst University as an undergraduate transfer student. *Transfer students are not eligible for the accelerated degree track.

Eligibility for Transfer Pre-admission in Rockhurst University’s Occupational Therapy Program Students who are transferring to Rockhurst University to complete their bachelor's degree may be offered a guaranteed admission into the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program if they meet the following criteria:

  • ​Have completed between 48-60 hours of undergraduate work or have completed an Associate of Arts or Associate of Sciences degree, and
  • Have attained a cumulative and natural science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics) GPA of at least 3.65 (on a 4.0 scale).

Requirements for Maintaining Transfer Pre-admission in Rockhurst University’s Occupational Therapy Program:

  • ​Achieve a 3.5 grade point average each semester and maintain a 3.5 cumulative and natural science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics) grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) throughout the bachelor's program,
  • Complete all required prerequisite coursework as specified by the Department of Occupational Therapy by the beginning of the OT program,
  • Complete the occupational therapy application for admission by September 1st prior to the start of the OT program. 
  • Interview before beginning the OT program,
  • Begin the OT program the summer semester immediately following successful completion of baccalaureate degree program, 
  • Meet Dr. Sierra Grady, OT program advisor and submit an unofficial copy of their transcript to the OT Department, each semester while a Transfer Pre-admit.

 

Fulfilling the above requirements is required for maintaining Transfer Pre-admission status in the OT Program. In addition, the student must demonstrate professional behaviors when interacting with faculty, staff, students, clients, and patients. These behaviors are important for success in the graduate program and reflect the capacity to deliver a high standard of health service. We consider these behaviors to be as important as traditional academic standards in determining criteria for matriculation.

Prospective and Current Rockhurst Students

Pre-admission Guarantee

Freshman Pre-admission Award
Exceptional students who plan to attend Rockhurst for their bachelor's degree may be awarded a freshman pre-admission guarantee Occupational Therapy (OT) program based on a combination of ACT (superscore) or SAT scores, high school GPA and prerequisite courses.

Eligibility for Pre-admission in Rockhurst University’s Occupational Therapy Program:

  • ​Minimum high school grade point average of 3.5,
  • Three units of college preparatory mathematics courses,
  • Three units of college preparatory science courses,
  • Four units of English courses, and
  • Minimum 1200 composite on the SAT or
  • Minimum 26 composite on the ACT

Test Optional Criteria (Starting in Fall 2022)

  • Minimum high school grade point average of 3.80,
  • Three units of college preparatory mathematics courses,
  • Three units of college preparatory science courses, and
  • Four units of English courses.

Requirements for Maintaining Pre-admission in Rockhurst University’s Occupational Therapy Program:

  • ​Achieve and maintain a 3.40 cumulative and natural science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics) grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) each semester and through the end of the RU senior year*, (* Through end of the RU junior year for students in the accelerated program​)
  • Complete all required prerequisite coursework as specified by the Department of Occupational Therapy by the beginning of the OT program,
  • Complete the occupational therapy application for admission by September 1st prior to start of the OT program,
  • Interview before beginning the OT program,
  • Begin the OT program the summer semester immediately following successful completion of baccalaureate degree program, and (*For Pre-admit students on the accelerated track, must demonstrate the ability to complete baccalaureate degree program concurrent with the first year of the OT graduate program. Approval from OT program advisor and faculty advisor for major is required.)
  • Meet with Dr. Sierra Grady, OT program advisor and submit an unofficial copy of their transcript to the OT Department, each semester while in the Pre-admit program.

Fulfilling the above requirements is required for maintaining early admissions status in the OT Program. In addition, the student must demonstrate professional behaviors when interacting with faculty, staff, students, clients, and patients. These behaviors are important for success in the graduate program and reflect the capacity to deliver a high standard of health service. We consider these behaviors to be as important as traditional academic standards in determining criteria for matriculation.
 

Rockhurst Undergraduates

OT Scholars Award
Rockhurst students with outstanding academic work during their first two years may be offered advanced admission status through the OT Scholars Program. To be considered eligible for the OT Scholars Program, student must meet the following criteria:

  • Achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.65 each semester (on a 4.0 scale), 
  • Achieve a natural science (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics) grade point average of at least 3.65 each semester (on a 4.0 scale), and
  • Submit a letter of intent to the Graduate Admissions Office before beginning third year as an undergraduate at RU, a copy of their transcript with final grades, and a transcript evaluation completed by their advisor.

Requirements for Maintaining OT Scholars Status in Rockhurst University’s Occupational Therapy Program:

  • ​Achieve and maintain a 3.50 cumulative and natural science (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics) grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) each semester and through the end of the RU senior year*, (* Through end of the RU junior year for students on the accelerated track.)
  • Complete all required prerequisite coursework as specified by the Department of Occupational Therapy by the beginning of the OT program,
  • Complete the occupational therapy application for admission by September 1st prior to start of the OT program,
  • Interview before beginning the OT program,
  • Begin the OT program the summer semester immediately following successful completion of baccalaureate degree program, and (*For OT Scholars students on the accelerated track, must demonstrate the ability to complete baccalaureate degree program concurrent with the first year of the OTD graduate program. Approval from OT program advisor and faculty advisor for major is required.)
  • Meet Dr. Sierra Grady, OT program advisor and submit an unofficial copy of their transcript to the OT Department, each semester while in the Pre-admit program.

Fulfilling the above requirements is required for maintaining OT Scholars status in the OT Program. In addition, the student must demonstrate professional behaviors when interacting with faculty, staff, students, clients, and patients. These behaviors are important for success in the graduate program and reflect the capacity to deliver a high standard of health service. We consider these behaviors to be as important as traditional academic standards in determining criteria for matriculation.

Accelerated Track
Early entrance into the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program is available to students consecutively enrolled at Rockhurst University since their freshman year. Contact the OT Program Advisor to determine eligibility. Refer to OTD Accelerated Program for details. 

Partnerships

Degree-seeking students at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Avila University, Lindenwood University, Missouri Western State University, Truman State University, and McKendree University with outstanding academic qualifications may be eligible for automatic acceptance into the OT program at Rockhurst University. For consideration, interested students are expected to submit their application to Rockhurst University through OTCAS by September 1 of their senior year.

For specific criteria and information about the OT department's articulation agreements, please download and print the following materials: