Occupational Therapy, O.T.D.

• The following is a list of minimum requirements for application to the program:
  A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA average based on a 4.0 scale for the undergraduate degree.
• A minimum cumulative GPA average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale for prerequisite courses with all prerequisites within the last five years.
• GRE within the last five years, including the quantitative, verbal and analytical writing components. A minimum score of 150 on the verbal and 140 on the quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is recommended. A minimum score of 3.5 in the analytical writing section is preferred. Georgia State’s GRE code is 0194.
• Three letters of recommendation. At least one from an occupational therapist, one from an academic instructor and one from a work supervisor, academic adviser or other health care professional (not family). Submit contact information for each recommendation in OTCAS.
• Documentation of a minimum of 50 hours of work or volunteer experience in at least two different delivery systems, demonstrating exposure to and understanding of the occupational therapist’s role.
• Personal statement, no more than two pages, briefly discussing how your academic background and life experiences will contribute to your success in the Occupational Therapy program while enhancing our program and the profession of occupational therapy, submitted only in OTCAS.
• A resume of professional and volunteer experiences.
• International students whose native language is not English must also submit an official report of their score on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) taken within the last two years:
  – TOEFL with a score of 90 with no less than 20 on each subtest OR
  – IELTS with a score of 6.5 with no less than six on each band score.
• Interview on request from Georgia State.

Note that the program does not accept AP (Advanced Placement) or CLEP (College Level Exam Progress) credits as prerequisite courses.

• Prerequisite courses taken from a regionally accredited college or university
  Required to be completed at the time of application

1. Human Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (3 credits)
2. Human Anatomy and Physiology II with lab (3 credits)
3. Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
4. Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
5. Statistics (3 credits)
6. Sociology or Anthropology (3 credits)
7. Medical Terminology (1-3 credits)

The curriculum sequence includes six identifiable threads:

1. Foundational knowledge – reflects broad areas of study (for example, social, behavioral, biological and physical sciences, education and contemporary society) which serve as foundations to the basic premises of occupational therapy.

2. Understanding the rich complexities of occupation (individual, family, community, society) – addresses the reciprocal influence of lifespan development on areas of occupation and the health and wellness/illness continua. Understanding the interdependent relationship between one’s ability or inability to engage in occupation and participate in life.

3. Using occupation as a basis of assessment and intervention – focuses on performance skills, performance patterns, context, activity demands and client factors on occupational performance. At this stage, previously constructed knowledge is organized and applied to occupational therapy assessment and interventions throughout the life span. The influence of technology on occupational assessment and intervention is also applied.

4. Investigating occupation by integrating science and therapy – focuses on developing research and scholarship skills and clinical reasoning skills to practice as an evidence-based therapist.

5. Applying knowledge to practice – applies problem-solving skills to varied clinical contexts to apply knowledge and skills in diversified environments.

6. Advocacy, leadership and cultural competency – instills acceptance of self as a professional with recognition of concomitant responsibilities, duties and rewards. Integrates the end process of developing a professional and fosters a culturally competent occupational therapist who can advocate for and lead the profession.

The sequence of the OT curriculum allows students to construct their knowledge and skills at increasing levels of complexity, competence and synthesis.

For the list of courses and their sequence within the program, visit https://lewis.gsu.edu/ot/ot-academics-and-admissions/#course-sequence.

Graduates of Georgia State’s O.T.D. program will be clinically competent occupational therapists who can work autonomously in various clinical settings, including interprofessional settings. Graduates will demonstrate ethical, compassionate and competent verbal and written communication in a variety of cultural contexts. O.T.D. graduates will be critical thinkers who can integrate, synthesize, and demonstrate their occupational therapy knowledge, applying multiple research perspectives to construct and deliver evidence-based practice. For the description of our program learning outcomes and objectives, visit https://occupationaltherapy.gsu.edu/files/2018/05/A.5.3.-OT-Program-Assessment-Grid_Attachment-2.pdf.