Pre-Occupational Therapy Path

Students of several different majors have applied to become an Occupational Therapist in the past and the PHPAC help to make sure that you are prepared to apply to medical school.

Academics

If you are a biomedical sciences major you will need several classes in addition to your major. Here are typical classes needed as prerequisites for occupational therapy programs:

General Biology (BIO101, 4 credits with lab)
Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIO326 and BIO327, 8 credits with lab)
General Genetics (BIO305, 4 credits with lab)
General Chemistry I and II (CHE111 and CHE112, 8 credits with lab)
Physics for Life Sciences I (PHY103 4 credits with lab)
Statistics (MAT161, 3 credits) or Biostatistics (BIO333, 3 credits)
General Psychology (PSY101, 3 credits)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY443, 3 credits, prerequisite PSY 340)
Human Development (PSY311, 3 credits)
Other courses in humanities and sociology, depending on the program

The Honors Program at SUNY Plattsburgh is an important way to show academic excellence. You should take advantage of this opportunity if possible.

Healthcare Experience

Schools will often expect you to have between 50 hours of experience shadowing an occupational therapist. We can offer you and excellent opportunity to get these hours through our affiliation with Meadowbrook Healthcare, a rehabilitation facility.

Applying to OT School

Application to Occupational Therapy schools is through the OTCAS system. Most program deadlines are in the fall for the following year. The OTCAS system will process your application and then submit it to the schools you select. Submit your OTCAS application and arrange for materials to arrive at OTCAS by the program's deadline. Many schools have rolling admissions, which means they accept qualified candidates as their applications become complete, including GRE scores. For this reason, it is best to get all of your materials submitted as soon as possible after the system opens for the next cycle.

Program

Clarkson University — Occupational Therapy Master’s Program

Articulation Agreement

We have an articulation agreement with the Occupational Therapy Program at Clarkson University to help you gain acceptance. This program reserves two seats in the incoming class for Plattsburgh graduates who meet their acceptance criteria.

Two (2) seats will be reserved in each cohort of the Clarkson University Occupational Therapy (OT) Program for two designated SUNY Plattsburgh students. Other students may apply in the same year under the normal open admission procedures.

Requirements

The program has the following requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree including the following prerequisite courses:

**OT Prerequisites**
Content Area	Course
General Psychology	PSY 101 General Psychology
Abnormal Psychology	PSY 443 Abnormal Psychology (prerequisite PSY 340)
Developmental Psychology	PSY 311 Human Development
Statistics	STAT 161 Statistics or BIO 333 Biostatistics
Biology	BIO 101General Biology or other BIO
Physics/Kinesiology	PHY 111 General Physics or PHY 103 Physics for Life Sciences
Anatomy (A & P I)	BIO 326 Human & Physiology I
Physiology (A & P II)	BIO 327 Human Anatomy & II
English Comprehension	ENG 100 or other ENG
Critical Thinking	Upper level course within major
Social Science	ANT/ HIS/ HDF/SOC
Social Science	ANT/ HIS/ HDF/SOC

A grade less than 2.0 (C) is not acceptable for any pre-requisite course
Overall GPA for all required courses must be at least a 3.2
Overall SUNY Plattsburgh undergraduate GPA must be no less than 3.0
Graduate in good standing with a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh.

2. Supplemental Application Requirement

3D skill/craft: The 3D requirement may be fulfilled by a college course or a portfolio of individual work (i.e., self-taught or outside a university setting) involving actual hands-on manipulation of media/materials. Examples include a 3D science or engineering project, woodworking, sculpting, loom work, fly tying, boat making, electric car construction, ceramics, sewing, beading, knitting, etc. The artifacts should be the equivalent of 45 hours of work or 3 credits.

3. Application and Essay

Complete the application and essay (state your interest in the field of Occupational Therapy). Applicants must complete the OTCAS (Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System) application, meeting all deadlines and requirements. At all times remain in good standing with SUNY Plattsburgh. This includes disciplinary action and legal action on or off campus.

4. Interview

The candidate will meet with Clarkson University OT faculty/staff at least twice prior to their interview with the SUNY Plattsburgh Health Science Committee. This may be completed through tele-communication services. The candidate must have a successful on-campus interview at Clarkson University.

5. Letters of Recommendation

A total of three letters are required, one of which must be from an Occupational Therapist or COTA. A second letter must come from the SUNY Plattsburgh Health Science Committee.

6. Experience

All applicants must have a minimum of 40 hours of related experience at the time of application.

Deadline

Interested in occupational therapy?