Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) Admissions

Program Accreditation Information

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Preaccreditation Status on December 12, 2024 by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must complete an on-site evaluation and be granted 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). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences makes student application decisions on the basis of merit. The University shall not discriminate against students on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, religion, national origin, age, disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law for any reason.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

PNWU intentionally commits to educating, encouraging, empowering, and advocating for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We will be accountable for and endeavor to implement transparent policies, share resources, and practice restorative justice that enhances recruitment, retention, and success for students, faculty, staff, and the community in alignment with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy.

Holistic Admissions Statement

Admission to the PNWU School of Occupational Therapy (SOT) Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program (MSOT) is a competitive process. However, we recognize that students come from different backgrounds, have different life experiences, and have had different access to educational and other developmental opportunities. We welcome the benefits that a diverse student body brings to the SOT, our campus, and the occupational therapy profession.

Use of a holistic and inclusive approach to admissions allows the Admissions Committee, composed of faculty from the SOT, to consider not only grade point average, but also student information provided through personal statements, supplemental essays, and your curriculum vitae/resume. The admissions process at the SOT, therefore, includes a holistic evaluation of all application materials unique to each potential student.

The PNWU School of Occupational Therapy takes the following actions to create an inclusive and equitable admissions process:

• No GRE or other standardized tests
• No minimum undergraduate GPA requirements
• No OT shadowing hours
• Virtual interviews
• Vision and mission-driven selection criteria

In addition, The PNWU School of Occupational Therapy does not require prescribed prerequisite courses. Instead, applicants will be asked to submit a personal statement and three supplemental essays explaining how their life experiences, prior work, or coursework, and/or experiences shadowing with an occupational therapist have prepared them to be successful in the MSOT program. The instructions for the personal essay are below. The prompts for the supplemental essays are available in OTCAS in July of each year. To find out more about the supplemental essays and applying to PNWU, we encourage students to attend a free, online information session.

NOTE: The SOT supports a pathway for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) to earn their credentials as a registered Occupational Therapist (OTR). COTAs with a minimum of 3 years of full-time clinical practice experience are eligible to apply to the MSOT program if they have completed an associate degree. The PNWU pathway is not a bridge program. COTA applicants, if accepted to the program, take the same classes at the same time, and in the same delivery format as a non-COTA student.

Basic Admissions Criteria

Applicants to the School of Occupational Therapy who are pursuing a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) must complete a primary application through Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). To be eligible to apply, applicants must meet criteria 1, 2, and either criterion 3 or 4 (below).  

1. Attain a minimum age of 18 years at the time of matriculation into PNWU.
2. Be a US citizen, have US permanent resident status, or have a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
3. Complete a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or be eligible to receive a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university by the end of summer term prior to matriculation to the program. OR
4. Be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) with an associate’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a minimum of 3 years of full-time clinical practice experience. NOTE: Practice requirements will be verified through employment verification. The PNWU pathway is not a bridge program. COTA applicants, if accepted to the program, take the same classes at the same time, and in the same delivery format as a non-COTA student.
   
   NOTE: There is no minimum GPA requirement for undergraduate coursework, however, a 3.0 GPA or higher is highly recommended to be competitive.

OTCAS Application Components

As part of the OTCAS application process, students must submit:

1. Official transcripts of all academic coursework
   1. Applicants should send all official transcripts directly to OTCAS (not to Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences). We strongly encourage you to submit all transcripts in advance of the application deadline because OTCAS requires several weeks to verify transcripts. Transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated for US equivalence by an evaluation service. An official electronic copy of the equivalency report will be sent directly from the evaluation service to PNWU through the OTCAS system. PNWU does not accept equivalency reports sent directly from applicants. OTCAS only accepts electronic foreign evaluations from World Education Services (WES), Inc. Paper WES evaluations are not accepted.
2. Two letters of reference submitted through OTCAS. Applicants should choose letter writers who know them well so they can comment on the following:
   1. The applicant’s ability to be academically successful.
   2. The applicant’s professional behaviors such as timeliness, communication, accountability, teamwork, work performance, and/or service commitment
   3. The applicant’s fit with the profession of occupational therapy.
      1. One letter from a current or previous instructor/professor or someone who has worked with the applicant in a supervisory role (either paid or voluntary work/service).
      2. One letter from an occupational therapist. However, if an applicant did not have an opportunity to shadow an occupational therapist, the applicant may submit a letter from either a second instructor/professor or a second supervisor.
         1. Applicants who are Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) and who are currently employed as a COTA must provide at least one letter of reference from their current occupational therapist supervisor.
         2. Applicants who are Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) and who are NOT currently employed as a COTA must provide one letter of reference from a prior occupational therapist supervisor.
3. Personal Statement and Three Supplemental Essays: The prompts for the supplemental essays will be available in OTCAS  once the 2024–2025 cycle opens in mid-July 2024. To find out more about the supplemental essays and the application process, we encourage potential applicants to attend a free, online information session. 
4. Employment Verification Form: COTA applicants without a bachelor’s degree must complete an employment verification form to complete their application. The information will be verified by a PNWU selected vendor if the student is admitted to PNWU-SOT.

Additional Admissions Criteria

1. The SOT does not require drug testing as part of the application process. However, clinical education opportunities may require drug testing after acceptance to the program. In those instances, the student is responsible for paying for, and obtaining any additional drug or background tests.
2. The School of Occupational Therapy does not defer admissions, but it encourages students to apply again in the following year.
3. Acceptance is conditional until all required documentation is received and completed to PNWU’s satisfaction. If accepted to the MSOT program, applicants must complete all program entry requirements as outlined in the applicant’s offer letter from the School of Occupational Therapy before the start of the summer semester prior to enrollment in the MSOT program (typically the 2^nd week in June).

Other requirements that must be met prior to matriculation (described below):

• Pass a criminal background check
• Possess a current CPR certification
• Meet medical and immunization requirements
• Attest they meet minimum technical standards
• Meet minimum laptop requirements as specified in the student catalog
• All final, official transcripts from every college or university attended must be on file prior to matriculation
• Employment verification for COTA applicants without a bachelor’s degree

Student Transfers and Waivers

PNWU does not accept transfer students, transfer credits, or waive the requirements set forth in the student admission policy or process as per University Policy.

Credit for Experience

PNWU does not grant credit for experience as per University policy.

Advanced Placement

The PNWU School of Occupational Therapy does not grant advanced placement credit.