College of Health and Human Services

Undergraduate students at the University of Toledo and select partner schools are eligible to apply for early-decision admission in their junior year (or 1 year before their graduation).  After graduating with their bachelor’s degree, students accepted through early-decision admission must submit documentation of completing all admissions requirements before beginning classes in the OTD program.

• Application Status
• Admission Criteria
• Prerequisites/AP Courses
• Transfer credits and work experience
• Student Expectations
• Optional Electives
• International Applicants
• Information sessions/Questions
• Learn More About the Program

 
Opening of Admissions - 
The 2027 Admissions cycle begins July 16, 2026 when the OTCAS application opens. We begin reviewing completed and verified applications in October.
 
Closing of Admissions - 
The 2027 Admission cycle closes February 1, 2027. ONLY applicants whose OTCAS application is completed and verified, by February 1, 2027 will be considered for admission.

Applications are reviewed beginning in October and continue until the class is full.

Accepted: Meets all admission requirements and is offered a seat. A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve the seat.

Probationary: Shows potential for success but is missing one or more admission benchmarks (such as a GPA below 3.0 or prerequisite grade below B-). Students must earn a 3.0 GPA during their first semester to remain in the program.

Wait List: Qualified applicants may be placed on a ranked wait list once the class is full.

Declined: Does not meet admission requirements or submitted a noncompetitive application.

Deferred: Applicants who decline or do not respond within two weeks must reapply in a future admission cycle.

The following requirements are essential to be considered for acceptance into the OTD program:

1. Bachelor’s Degree. 
   
   • Complete a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution before starting the program. 
   • Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
   • Applicants may apply while completing their degree. 
   • Official transcripts must be submitted through OTCAS. 
   • UToledo uses the cumulative GPA calculated by OTCAS.
2. Prerequisites. In your OTCAS Application, show completion of, or a plan for completing, the designated prerequisites (see below) at the College level with a grade of B- or better.  If accepted, we will require official transcripts showing prerequisite completion prior to beginning the program. Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to starting the program, NOT prior to application. 
3. Letters of Recommendation. Submit three recommendations through OTCAS from individuals who can evaluate your academic ability, graduate potential, or professional qualifications (such as professors, advisors, occupational therapists, or supervisors).
4. Application. 
   Submit the completed OTCAS application, transcripts, references, and required fees. UToledo reviews only completed and verified applications.
5. UToledo Application Fee.
   Once you have completed your OTCAS application, you will receive an email from UToledo with instructions on Activating your Status Page and paying your non-refundable UT Application Fee.

Prerequisites/AP Courses/ Transfer credits

The UToledo OTD program has technical standards that clearly state the expected capabilities of students within the program. All potential applications should self-assess that their abilities align with these expectations.

Students in the UToledo OTD program are required to document their health status and submit a background check in order to engage in experiential learning/fieldwork. Specific eligibility criteria can be found on the student eligibility page.

Additionally, all courses within the UToledo OTD Program use Blackboard, an online learning management system.  Blackboard is used to distribute course materials, collect course assignments, provide grading and feedback, and administer tests.  Enrolled students will need to have a personal computing device with internet access. Information technology has provided recommended specifications on the IT hardware recommendations webpage.

Electives - Occasionally, applicants ask if we have suggestions for courses or course content that would be valuable for the study of occupational therapy in addition to the required pre-requisite courses.  The following list of content areas may be helpful to you in your study of occupational therapy, and you may consider such content if you have electives you need to satisfy; however, courses with this content are not required for admission to the program, nor does taking them give you an advantage during the application process. The only courses required for admission are the pre-requisite courses listed above.

• Arts: for those who are interested in fabricating unique devices or using creative expression for its therapeutic value
• Biomechanics/kinesiology: for those who want a stronger foundation for orthopedics
• Business: for those who are interested in starting their own therapy business
• Composition/writing: for those who want to strengthen their writing skills
• Contemporary office software: for those who need to enhance skills with Power Point, Word, Excel, etc.
• Marketing: for those interested in program development
• Neurosciences: for those who want a stronger foundation for providing therapy to those who have neurological conditions
• Physics: a non-calculus-based course may be useful for those who want a stronger foundation for understanding movement and force in everyday life
• Public speaking: for those who need to enhance their ability to speak in front of groups
• Sign language: for those interested in working with persons with hearing impairments

International Applicants Must:

• • Meet the Admission Criteria described in Admission Criteria section
  • Submit TOEFL scores.
  • Possess a degree equivalent to a 4-year US bachelor’s degree in a major other than occupational therapy.  International students must have their foreign transcripts evaluated for equivalence to US academic credentials. Visit NACES (the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) to find an acceptable member list of foreign educational credential evaluation services.

Exceptions - TOEFL scores are not required if the student has earned a US degree or has attended a regionally accredited US institution for one, full-time academic year and earned a minimum 3.0 GPA.  This exception does not include those who have attended a US institution for the purpose of English language instruction.

For questions regarding UToledo International student admissions please contact the UToledo College of Graduate Studies at 419.530.4723 or graduateonlineapplication@utoledo.edu

Information Sessions - The Admissions Committee invites interested applicants to attend one of the virtual information sessions held throughout the year. This is an opportunity to ask questions of faculty and students about the OTD Program. Register for an OTD program information session.

For questions about your OTCAS application, please contact OTCAS Customer Service at 617.612.2860 or otcasinfo@otcas.org

For questions about the OT program or admission requirements contact the OT program at 419.530.6691 or  OccTherapyDoctorate@utoledo.edu