Application
The application for the Union Master of Occupational Therapy is now open.
This link will send you to a centralized application system outside of Union that will require you to set up a user and password.
If you have questions, please contact us.
Occupational Therapy Program admission requirements
To enroll in the Union Master of Occupational Therapy Program, you must meet the following requirements.
- Successful completion of the following prerequisite courses with a minimum letter grade of “C” or above. It is recommended that prerequisite courses be completed within the previous 10 years. However, this is not required for application.
- Medical Terminology, 1 credit
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II [with lab], 8 credits
- Statistics, 3 credits
- English Composition, 3 credits
- Psychology or sociology, 6 credits total
- Religion, Ethics, Theology, or Philosophy, 3 credits
- Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher for all post-secondary coursework.
- Completed an Occupational Therapy Assistant [OTA] degree from an accredited college or university [Associate or Bachelor of OTA degrees are accepted]. A minimum of 72 total semester credit hours is required.
- Earned certified occupational therapy assistant [COTA] designation through passing OTA National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy [NBCOT] exam.
Application requirements
To enroll in the Union Master of Occupational Therapy Program, you must submit the following as a part of your application:
- Submission of a completed application, including the following attachments, using the OTCAS system (click link above).
- All documents must be submitted through the OTCAS application site.
- An official transcript showing completion of a degree in occupational therapy assistant program [Associate or Bachelor of OTA degree] from an accredited college or university, or the expectation to finish by date of admission
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- A copy of initial NBCOT certification
- A personal statement articulating career and educational goals
- Résumé
- Three letters of recommendation that demonstrate readiness for graduate study.
- Letters of recommendation should provide specific details about the applicant from a personal or professional reference. Letters should address the applicant's potential for success both academically and in the occupational therapy profession.
- Interview: Applicants will be required to participate in an on-site interview session. Applicants who reside 100 miles or greater away from campus may complete a virtual interview session, by request only.
- No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required.
Additional notes:
The program requires the following immunizations to ensure compliance with policies at our collaborating healthcare facilities. CastleBranch will verify student documentation of immunizations to determine compliance with immunization requirements. Minimum immunization requirements are mandatory for fieldwork participation.
Immunization | Requirement |
|---|---|
Hepatitis B | Vaccination with the three-dose series OR a positive Hepatitis B Surface Antibody titer |
Influenza | Annual vaccine aligns with flu season |
Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) | Documentation of blood test indicating immunity OR documentation of two vaccines given after one year of age and given at least four weeks apart |
Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap) | Single dose as soon as feasible if you have not previously received a Tdap booster |
Tuberculosis | A two-step test is required during the OTA program, prior to fieldwork. One current tuberculin skin test is required every 12 months. |
Varicella | Positive Varicella Zoster titer OR documentation of two doses of Varicella Zoster vaccine |
Students are expected to comply with the minimum immunization guidelines established by the program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. Immunization requirements are mandatory for participation in fieldwork. Students are responsible for obtaining required immunizations and for maintaining current immunization records within Castlebranch.
CPR Certification: Must hold current certification in the American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers course.
Drug Screening: A negative drug screen is required before acceptance into the program and may be required again before participating in fieldwork experiences.
Background Check: Students must successfully pass a criminal background check in accordance with program and fieldwork site requirements
About the hybrid learning model
Applicants are encouraged to evaluate their learning styles and comfort with hybrid learning formats. You should be prepared to engage in self-directed learning; be comfortable with the use of technology to complete online coursework; and have the ability to balance their schedules for participation in periodic on-campus course requirements.
Technology and distance learning competencies
The MOT program is offered in a hybrid format, with on-site sessions held as scheduled each semester. Coursework outside of on-site sessions will be completed via distance learning. You will be required to have adequate personal technology access to participate in distance learning components of the program. Technology requirements include:
- Personal laptop computer with ability to access connect to Internet
- Access to a high-speed internet connection is recommended
- A webcamera with microphone access
- Ability to record audio and video
- Microsoft Office software: Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel [Students will be required to submit assignments in these approved file types.]
Students are encouraged to consider whether their learning preferences, learning styles, and competence with technology are compatible with a distance learning program. Recommended competencies for participation in distance learning include the ability to:
- Be a motivated and self-directed learner, who is responsible for your own learning
- Dedicate sufficient time to participation in course requirements and assignments for this full-time program
- Complete assignments independently, and with a group, in a virtual environment
- Participate in live video conferencing
- Use all essential functions of Microsoft Office software including: Word, Powerpoint, and Excel
- Save, download, and upload files in approved file types for assignments
- Be comfortable with taking proctored and non-proctored exams online
- Complete video and audio recordings for assignments, as applicable
- Conduct searches of Internet sites and online scholarly resources including library databases and academic journals
For detailed information about the program, please read the MOT Student Handbook.
