Direct Admission | Master of Occupational Therapy

Direct admission applicants are those who were granted “Direct Admission” status for Occupational Therapy upon acceptance to Carroll University as a first-time freshman AND have retained that status at the time of application. All other applicants need to apply as competitive applicants. Direct admission students should plan to submit materials no later than November 1^st for consideration. Early application is encouraged.

Note: If you are a current high school student interested in Carroll’s Master of Occupational Therapy program, learn more about our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) 4+2 Direct Admission

STEP 1: Submit the Graduate Studies application. 

STEP 2: Complete and submit the following within the application status portal after submission of your application:

1. Personal Statement
2. Resume
3. One Professional Reference - This is required from a university/college professor who taught you. A submission link will be sent to your reference once you enter contact information within your application
4. Evidence of 20 hours of shadowing through one or more of the following options:
   • A certified occupational therapist - The Occupational Therapy Observation Hours Log must be completed with the signature of the occupational therapist(s) that was observed.
   • Completion of the Occupational Therapy Online Shadowing Experience (password: LucasQU) - A copy of the completion certificate will be needed for proof of completion of the Occupational Therapy Online Shadowing Experience.
   • Completion of the Simucase OT observation experience

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution - The program neither requires nor recommends the degree be earned in any particular major. Liberal arts majors are encouraged to apply.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
• *Pre-Professional GPA of 3.2 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)

• AP courses are accepted for sociology and statistics if listed on a university transcript.
• Candidates are strongly encouraged to have only one pre-professional course repeated.
• Anatomy and Physiology courses need to have been completed within five years, three years preferred.
• Courses identified with an asterik are used to calculate the pre-professional GPA (see the Carroll University catalog for course descriptions).
  • *Anatomy & Physiology I w/lab (ANP130)
  • *Anatomy & Physiology II w/lab (ANP140)
  • *Chemistry I w/lab (CHE101 or CHE109)
  • *Abnormal Psychology (PSY201)
  • *Lifespan Development (PSY221)
  • *Medical Terminology (HCA100)
  • *Sociology, Cultural Anthropology, or Social Psychology (SOC101, SOC110, or PSY 303)
  • *Statistics (CMP112)
  • Physics I w/lab (highly suggested) (PHY101)

Admitted students are asked to respond to their offer of admission within 10 days of notification. A non-refundable $500 seat deposit is required.

Admitted students must submit official college transcripts from the institution where their undergraduate degree was earned as well as any institution where outstanding prerequisites are being completed directly to Carroll University prior to matriculation.

Admitted students are required to have a completed health screening, updated immunizations and tuberculosis screening according to current Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for health professionals, background investigation and drug screening prior to matriculation.

As part of a comprehensive health science education curriculum, students participate in various clinical education or experiential learning experiences. Carroll-operated health and wellness clinics require standard vaccinations for students in training. These requirements are consistent with CDC recommendations for healthcare providers and are subject to an approved medical/religious exemption. Currently, the Covid-19 vaccine is not required in Carroll operated health and wellness clinics. Similarly, students placed in external healthcare sites will likely have these same or unique requirements. Students must comply with host site vaccination policies, most of which follow CDC Healthcare Provider recommendations, these may include the Covid-19 vaccine. Individual sites may have their own exemption processes for vaccination, defer exemption screening to the University, or may not include an exemption option. 

Admitted students must BLS and AED certified. This certification course is also known as BLS for Health Care Providers. BLS certification must be procured through the American Heart Association from a qualified and approved provider. Please note that BLS certification is NOT the same as CPR certification, as the BLS certification includes both a CPR and AED component. CPR certification will not be accepted as a substitute.

Admitted students must be first aid certified. This can be completed via an online module from American Red Cross, American Care Association or American Heart Association.

Contact Brian Ish at 262.425.5696 or email otinfo@carrollu.edu.

Candidates are welcome to schedule an individual meeting to discuss the program or application process using this scheduling link.  

The MOT program considers all qualified applicants without discrimination regardless of race, color, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, national or ethnic origin, or handicap that does not interfere with the performance of occupational therapy practice as provided by law. Thirty (30) students are admitted each May based on individual merits and in competition with others. Each student will be considered holistically based upon an academic and non-academic evaluation. The submitted materials will be used to evaluate applicants for potential success in the program based on proven academic performance and potential; knowledge of the OT profession, work, community service and other experiences; letters of references; and essays. In some circumstances, a personal interview may be requested.

Admission and standards are subject to change based on regulatory, licensing and or certification needs.