Frequently Asked Questions
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy FAQs
- What is the OTR certification examination performance of Indiana University MS in OT Graduates?
- When are applications due for the Indiana University graduate OT program?
- How long will it take to complete the program?
- What is the estimated cost per credit hour?
- What are the required prerequisites for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy?
- Where can student live while in the program at IUPUI?
- Is there financial assistance available to graduate students?
- What should I major in at the undergraduate level?
- How many students are admitted into the OT graduate class?
- How competitive is the admission process?
- Is there a minimum GPA I must have to apply?
- Besides prerequisite courses and GPA, what other admission criteria must I meet?
- If my university does not offer one of the prerequisites, what should I do?
- Will I be required to have volunteer hours in occupational therapy before admission?
- If I'm in high school, how can I prepare for a career in occupational therapy?
- How do I get to the Department and where do I park?
- If I have additional questions regarding the program, curriculum or admissions, whom should I contact?
1. What is the OTR certification examination performance of Indiana University MS in OT Graduates?
OTR Certification Examination Performance of Indiana University MS in OT Graduates |
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Exam Period |
Total Number of Program Graduates |
Total Number of First-time Test Takers |
Total Number of First-time Test Takers Who Passed Exam |
Percentage of First-time Test Takers Who Passed Exam |
Percentage of Exam Takers Who Passed Exam (First-time & Repeat takers) |
National Percentage of First-time US Test Takers Who Passed Exam* |
2004 BS |
56 |
56 |
51 |
91% |
98% |
81% |
2005 BS |
1 |
7 |
5 |
71% |
100% |
86% (N=2,649) |
2006 BS** |
1 |
1 |
1 |
100% |
100% |
87% (N=2,928) |
2004-06 BS TOTALS |
58 |
64 |
57 |
89% |
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2007 MS in OT |
23 |
23 |
22 |
96% |
100% |
87% (N=2,960) |
2007 MS TOTAL |
23 |
23 |
22 |
96% |
100% |
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*Source: National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy www.nbcot.org |
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**Program was in transition from BS to MS in 2005-2006 |
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ACOTE Standard A.4.2. |
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Last update: 4-18-2008 |
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2. When are applications due for the Indiana University graduate OT program?
The deadline for submitting an admission application is January 20th each year. Students accepted into the OT Program start classes during Summer II session of the same year.
3. How long will it take to complete the program?
The program will be completed in a minimum of two years with a minimum of 74 credit hours. Course work is presented in a full-time, day format only.
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4. What is the estimated cost per credit hour?
The per credit hour rate of the OT program during the 2008-2009 academic year is approximately $397.60 for Indiana residents and $856.56 for non-residents, with a minimum of 74 credit hours needed to complete the program. Please see www.bursar.iupui.edu for current rate information.
There is a required full-time (40 hours/week for 24 weeks) fieldwork experience. These credit hours are included in the above count. However, students need to understand this Fieldwork Level II experience is an expense that they need to anticipate during the program. Sixteen weeks of this experience will take place in the summer between first and second year of graduate program.
5. What are the required prerequisites for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy?
The prerequisites are Abnormal Psychology/Psychopathology, Human Growth and Development/Life Span Development, Medical Terminology, Statistics, Human Anatomy (with a lab) and Human Physiology (with a lab). The GPA for the prerequisites must be at least 3.0, with a minimum grade of 'C' in any one course. If the student has a question about whether the class he or she is taking will meet the prerequisite requirement, they need to discuss this with the Student Enrollment Services Coordinator, Renee Akins. Please note that Anatomy, Physiology and Statistics need to have been taken within the preceding seven years.
6. Where can students live while in the program at IUPUI?
Students have the option of living in IUPUI campus housing, which offers convenient and accessible accommodations. Students living on-campus have an opportunity to become involved in university social and cultural activities, while being near the many urban attractions of downtown Indianapolis.
Each hall and apartment complex has its own Hall Council that works cooperatively with staff to represent residents, sponsor programs, review policies, plan inter-hall and campus activities and build caring communities. Residents can make a difference in their respective living community by becoming involved in Hall Council. For more information contact Housing and Residence Life at 317.274.7200 or toll-free at 1.800.631.3974.
Naturally, off campus housing is plentiful in downtown Indianapolis.
7. Is there financial assistance available to graduate students?
Yes. For additional information, visit the program web site www.shrs.iupui.edu or contact the Office of Student Financial Aid via e-mail at Finaid@iupui.edu or www.iupui.edu/~finaid. Please review the opportunities listed on the Financial Aid page of this site.
8. What should I major in at the undergraduate level?
A baccalaureate degree in a Psychology, Exercise Science, Biology, Sociology, Therapeutic Recreation, Special Education, or Anthropology would be useful. However, the student may hold any baccalaureate degree in any major as long as the prerequisites are also met.
9. How many students are admitted into the OT graduate class?
The projected class size is 36 each year.
10. How competitive is the admission process?
Acceptance into the Occupational Therapy program varies from year to year, depending on the number of applicants. Similar to many Occupational Therapy programs around the country, it is competitive. Selection is based on the overall cumulative grade point average (weighted 40%) and prerequisite grade point average (weighted 60%). The total scores are then ranked.
11. Is there a minimum GPA I must have to apply?
Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate overall cumulative GPA and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 at the time of application.
12. Besides prerequisite courses and GPA, what other admission criteria must I meet?
A bachelor's degree is required. Twelve hours (total) of observation of occupational therapy practice in at least three different practice areas of occupational therapy (such as an acute care hospital, outpatient, community mental health facility or school system) are required. Observational hours forms are available on the Admissions page.
13. If my university does not offer one of the prerequisites, what should I do?
If your university does not offer a course or comparable course, the student may satisfy the requirement by attending another university or college in his or her area. We strongly recommend that the student contact the Student Enrollment Services Coordinator for course approval prior to enrollment. In fact, some courses may be offered on-line or via independent study from Indiana University (such as Medical Terminology or Abnormal Psychology).
14. Will I be required to have volunteer hours in Occupational Therapy before admission?
Students must observe OT practice in three settings for a total of 12 hours and present evidence of this experience. Therapists are often willing to let students observe or "shadow" them, but volunteering also meets this requirement. Students may obtain observation or volunteer hours at any facility that offers Occupational Therapy.
15. If I'm in high school, how can I prepare for a career in occupational therapy?
Many times high school students express an interest in a career in the health professions, but may be unaware of options or how to prepare academically for their career of choice. Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences on the IUPUI campus offers professional entry level education in occupationaltherapy (OT): a Master of Science in OT degree. Occupational therapists are in high demand and offer rewarding opportunities for life work.
High school students should know that educational preparation for occupational therapy is now only at the post baccalaureate level. That means that students interested in occupational therapy need to obtain a baccalaureate degree before entering into a professional program, although some universities offer the professional program in conjunction with the baccalaureate degree. While in high school, students interested in OT should be encouraged to take courses in anatomy and/or physiology, if these courses are offered. Job shadowing while in high school is strongly encouraged.
Once in college, students should select a major based on their academic interests and not necessarily one labeled as pre-OT. For general career information as well as specific college prerequisite requirements and other admissions information students can access the professional organization websites of OT at www.aota.org. For any student interested specifically in the Indiana University MS in OT, information can be found at www.shrs.iupui.edu.
For those students who might be interested in the field of OT but who don't want to pursue graduate studies, opportunities exist for careers as occupational therapy assistants. These people work directly with patients under the supervision of a therapist. A two year degree from an accredited institution is required to be eligible to sit for the licensure examination; several colleges in Indiana offer this degree. Interested students may obtain additional information by accessing the OT organization websites.
16. How do I get to the Department and where do I park?
Renee Akins, Student Enrollment Services Coordinator, is located in room 120 Coleman Hall, which is also the location of the Dean's Office for the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Faculty offices are located in Coleman Hall as well. Occupational therapy classrooms are on the second floor of Coleman and physical therapy classes are on the third floor of Long Hospital. Parking can be found in the Riley Hospital Outpatient garage. Please see the attached map for all locations: http://www.iupui.edu/misc/campusmap.htm
17. Who is the contact if I have additional questions regarding admission to the program?
Questions may be directed to:
Renee Akins
Student Enrollment Services Coordinator
Indiana University
School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
Coleman Hall 120
1140 W. Michigan St.,
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5119
Phone: 317.274.7238
reakins@iupui.edu