Occupational therapy is a dynamic and growing field. With a degree in occupational therapy, you can almost guarantee yourself a good job in any city in America — the demand is that high. You can work with infants, geriatrics, or anyone in between.
But to become an occupational therapist, you first have to get accepted to an accredited occupational therapy school. This requires a bachelor’s degree, and the OT school will consider your GPA when deciding whether to admit you.
The average GPA to get into occupational therapy school varies from program to program, but it’s above a 3.5 at most schools. You generally need at least a 3.0 just to be considered — but there are exceptions. It’s important to perform well in college if your goal is to become an occupational therapist.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Average GPA to Get Into Occupational Therapy School?
- What Are My Options if My GPA Is Below 3.0?
- Alternatives to Occupational Therapy
- What Are the Other Requirements for OT School?
- Do Occupational Therapy Schools Have Low Acceptance Rates?
- Is the GRE Required for Occupational Therapy School?
- Will a High GRE Score Make Up for a Low College GPA?
- Do OT Schools Require Experience?
- What Are the Easiest Occupational Therapy Schools to Get Into?
- How Should I Prepare for OT School?
What Is the Average GPA to Get Into Occupational Therapy School?
Most occupational therapy schools have minimum GPA requirements in order for students to be accepted into their programs, although many programs focus mainly on your last two years, or 60 credit hours, of coursework. The average GPA to get into occupational therapy school is much higher than the minimum. Most competitive students have over a 3.5.
Most Schools Require a 3.0
The GPA requirement at occupational therapy schools can vary from school to school. However, most accredited schools require a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students who do not meet this requirement may still be able to attend an OT school if they submit a letter of appeal and explain why they should be considered for admission despite their lower GPA.
It’s worth noting that even the best and most competitive occupational therapy schools usually claim that their minimum GPA is in the 3.0 to 3.25 range — but the GPA you need in order to actually get into these schools is often much higher. That’s because top schools get stacks of applications from students with near-perfect grades. These students will be your competition when you apply.
Some Schools Accept Less Than a 3.0 — With Conditions
Some schools may offer conditional admission if your GPA is between 2.75 and 2.99 and the rest of your application is strong. If you have strong GRE scores and letters of recommendation and you perform well at your admissions interview, you’re more likely to be accepted conditionally with a GPA under 3.0
The conditions for admission with a sub-3.0 GPA might include prerequisite coursework before beginning the program or special academic advising during your first year in the program. If your GPA is below 2.75, it’s unlikely you’ll be accepted to any accredited OT school in the United States without taking additional undergraduate coursework to raise your average.
What Are My Options if My GPA Is Below 3.0?
If you have an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 and want to get into occupational therapy school, you have a few options.
Conditional Acceptance
The simplest — but not necessarily the easiest — way to get into OT school with less than a 3.0 GPA is to ensure the rest of your application as strong as possible and try to get in under a conditional acceptance policy. This policy allows you to get accepted with a GPA as low as 2.75, but it is reserved for students who demonstrate strength in other areas of their application and can provide a compelling explanation for their underperformance in the classroom.
Additional Undergraduate Coursework
If you do not get approved for conditional admission or you have a GPA below 2.75, another option is to take additional undergraduate courses to raise your overall average. Most OT programs require 120 hours of college coursework. If you have more than that, only the 120 hours with the highest grades will be looked at. So, you can effectively replace low grades with high grades by taking more than 120 credits.
Your Last Two Years of Coursework
Some OT programs focus mainly on your most recent 60 hours of coursework. Your overall GPA might be below 3.0, but if you did well your last two years, you might still qualify for admission. Eastern Michigan University and Towson University are two programs in particular that have this policy.
Alternatives to Occupational Therapy
If your GPA is too low to get into occupational therapy school and none of the workarounds are working for you, you may want to consider other health-related professions. You could look into programs in radiation therapy or medical technology, for instance.
You also might consider becoming an occupational therapy assistant (OTA). Becoming an OTA gets you into the field and gets you exposure — and it also pays pretty well — but it doesn’t have the stringent admissions requirements of OT school. If you fall in love with the field, you can always complete additional coursework later to reapply to OT school.
All of these professions can lead to a career in helping people live healthier lives. Talk to professionals in these fields to learn more about the specific job duties and what kind of schooling is required. You may also want to consider volunteer work or internships in hospitals or clinics to gain health care experience.
What Are the Other Requirements for OT School?
In addition to a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA, most occupational therapy schools have the following requirements for admission:
Prerequisite Coursework
Occupational therapy schools will accept any college major, but there are certain courses you must complete. These include the following:
- Biology (3 credits)
- Chemistry (3 credits)
- Anatomy (3 credits)
- Physiology (3 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Health care ethics (3 credits)
- Psychology (3 credits)
- Sociology (3-6 credits)
Observation Hours
Most occupational therapy schools want to see that you’ve spent time in the field observing what an OT actually does every day. A typical admission requirement is 40 total hours of field observation with at least 20 hours each devoted to two different therapists.
Letters of Recommendation
You will need to submit letters of recommendation with your application. These should come from former or current professors or supervisors, or people who are licensed in the field, not family members or personal friends.
GRE Scores
Not all occupational therapy schools require GRE scores for admission. However, if your GPA is lacking, a strong GRE submission is a good way to make up for it and show academic potential.
Do Occupational Therapy Schools Have Low Acceptance Rates?
Nationwide, only about 33% of applicants get into occupational therapy school on the first try. At the top programs, the acceptance rate is closer to 15%. Having a GPA just above a program’s stated minimum is often nowhere near enough, particularly if you’re applying to competitive schools.
That said, there are OT programs with higher acceptance rates and more lenient admissions policies. We’ll list some of these schools a little later in this guide.
Is the GRE Required for Occupational Therapy School?
The GRE is not always required for OT school. However, many programs do require it — and even those that don’t require it may look favorably on you if you submit a strong score. However, if your GPA and overall application are strong and the program you’re applying to doesn’t require the GRE, you probably don’t need to submit it.
Will a High GRE Score Make Up for a Low College GPA?
Occupational therapy schools — and graduate schools in general — play it close to the vest about whether an applicant can make up for a low or middling college GPA with a high GRE score. They don’t want students to think they can slack their way through college and then get into grad school on the strength of their test scores.
But grad school admissions data shows that the GRE matters more than many schools let on. It might not be a substitute for a poor GPA, but it can certainly help to pull things back in your favor if your grades aren’t particularly strong. We recommend that anyone applying to OT school with a GPA below 3.5 strongly consider taking the GRE. There are low-cost courses and books available that can help you prepare and get the best score possible.
Do OT Schools Require Experience?
No, occupational therapy schools do not require experience. However, many programs prefer applicants who have been exposed to the field in some way. Previous work as a therapist’s aide, for example, can be beneficial because it provides an understanding of the role of an OT and the day-to-day work that takes place in the field.
Additionally, many schools offer clinical rotations as part of their curricula. These rotations give students the opportunity to work directly with patients under the supervision of a licensed therapist.
What Are the Easiest Occupational Therapy Schools to Get Into?
To become an OT, you need to complete an accredited occupational therapy program. Be wary of any school that offers guaranteed admission or claims you can become an OT fully online — these are almost certainly scams.
Even though all OT programs are competitive, a few are known to have more lax admissions requirements and higher acceptance rates. Here are a few programs to look at if you don’t have a competitive undergraduate GPA.
Eastern Michigan University
- Location: Ypsilanti, MI
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 for last 60 credits
- Time to complete: 2.5-6 years (must be completed in 6)
- Total cost: $65,382 (Michigan resident), $113,271 (non-Michigan resident)
- Program website: Eastern Michigan University OT Program
Eastern Michigan University offers a flexible OT program that can be completed in anywhere from 2.5 to 6 years. It is a great financial deal, particularly for Michigan residents, who can complete the program from beginning to end for about $65,000. Another benefit of this program is that its GPA minimum of 3.0 only pertains to your last 60 credits of coursework. So, if you slipped up your first two years of college, you can still be considered.
Gannon University
- Location: Erie, PA
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Time to complete: 3 years
- Total cost: $138,285
- Program website: Gannon University OT Program
Gannon University’s occupational therapy school is a three-year program in Erie, PA, that accepts candidates with undergraduate GPAs of 3.0 or higher. As a private university, it charges the same tuition whether you live in Pennsylvania or out of state.
Towson University
- Location: Towson, MD
- Minimum GPA: 3.25 for last 60 credits
- Time to complete: 2.5 years
- Total cost: $48,288 (Maryland resident), $85,480 (non-Maryland resident)
- Program website: Towson University OT Program
Towson University has a respected and low-cost master’s program in occupational therapy, particularly if you live in Maryland, as you can complete the entire program for less than $50,000. Towson also focuses on the last two years of your college coursework when calculating your GPA for admissions purposes.
Barry University
- Location: Miami Shores, FL
- Time to complete: 2.5 years
- Minimum GPA: 3.2
- Total cost: $78,000
- Program website: Barry University OT Program
Barry’s program is ideal if you want to keep your current job while studying to become an OT. Its program can be completed online during the week, with all-day classes every Saturday. It’s also one of the cheapest OT programs available at a private university.
How Should I Prepare for OT School?
Occupational therapy school can funnel you into a lucrative, rewarding, and secure career. But the path isn’t easy. The better prepared for it you are going in, the higher your chance of success.
Here are a few ways to get yourself ready.
Shadow As Many Therapists As You Can
It isn’t hard to find OTs who are happy to let you observe them and watch what they do all day. Not only will this prepare you for what you’ll be learning in school, but it looks good on an application. Most programs require 40 hours of observation — but most programs also favor candidates who have more.
Research Different OT Programs
Consider the location, cost, and format of each program you’re considering. Reach out to current students and alums to get their perspectives. Are graduates finding the jobs they want? Do they feel prepared when they enter the field? Based on what you hear, decide which program is right for you.
Consider Taking the GRE
If your GPA is below 3.5, you’re going to be competing against many students with stronger academic records. A strong GRE score — particularly one above the 90th percentile — can shore up your resume and help you stand out.
Take Extra Classes if You Need To
Particularly if your GPA is hovering just below 3.0, it might just take one or two classes at your local college to push you over the top and make you much more competitive for admission into OT school. Just make sure your classes are taken at an accredited school that is recognized by the program you’re trying to get in. Online certifications and MOOC-type courses don’t count.
If you want to get into occupational therapy school, you’ll probably need a GPA above 3.0, and to be really competitive, you’ll want to be above 3.5. But hope isn’t lost if you’re below those numbers. It might be a little more work, but you can get accepted and start working toward a new career as an OT.
