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Admissions

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MS-OT) degree at Florida International University is a limited-access, full-time enrollment program with a highly competitive admissions process based on comprehensive evaluations. Students are admitted once a year for the Fall semester. The MS-OT program uses a rolling admissions process.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Minimum of 3.0 GPA based on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 credits of the bachelor’s degree.
  • Cumulative 3.0 GPA for all prerequisite courses with the minimum grade indicated. All of the prerequisite courses listed below must be successfully completed before the start of the Fall semester.
    • Abnormal Psychology: earning 3 credits with a C or higher
    • Human Growth & Development: earning 3 credits with a C or higher
    • Biology with Lab: earning 4 credits with a C or higher
    • Statistics: earning 3 credits with a C or higher
    • Medical Terminology: earning 1-3 credits with a C or higher
    • Human Physiology**: earning 3 credits with a B or higher
    • Neuroscience (3000 level or higher)***: earning 3 credits with a B or higher
    • Human Anatomy and Lab**: earning 4 credits with a B or higher

Applicants with a minimum of 2 of the 3 courses highlighted in red completed by the application deadline will be given priority for review and potential admission. The courses highlighted in red must all be successfully completed in order to get admitted into the program.

**Anatomy & Physiology I & II with Labs at the 2000 Level will meet the Human Anatomy with Lab and Physiology requirements.

*** OTH 4418 Neuroscience is offered by the FIU OT department every semester.

  • All prerequisite courses must be taken within 5 years of the application deadline.
  • All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the Fall admission term.
  • Complete OTCAS application by the deadline with all required information: biographical information, a personal essay, 3 names for references, work experience, activities, accomplishments and recognitions, and other pertinent information.
  • Applicants are required to submit a Graduate School application. Applicants are required to complete this application in addition to the OTCAS application. The cost of the application is $30. Once submitted, applicants will be referred to the FIU OT Department by the FIU Graduate School. You will need to send official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended directly to the FIU Graduate School in addition to those required by OTCAS should you be admitted into our program.
  • Students who have outstanding application items may be offered conditional admission. All remaining application requirements must be completed and verified prior to the start of the program’s Fall semester.
  • The FIU Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee reviews applications for Fall admission on a rolling basis once an application is complete, and all required materials have been received and verified. Acceptance letters are mailed once the review process has been completed.
  • Students who are accepted into the program must notify the department of their intent to enroll within one (1) week of receiving their acceptance letter.
  • Students must be able to meet the performance standards with or without reasonable accommodations.

Admissions Timeline

Applications will be reviewed by the FIU Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee after the OTCAS application is submitted; OTCAS has verified all transcripts and letters of recommendation; and the official FIU Graduate School application is submitted to Florida International University.  You are strongly advised to submit your application prior to the deadline. 

February-May

  • Application deadline. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered for the coming admission period.  Applications for subsequent admissions cycles must be re-submitted in their entirety.
  • The FIU OT Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications for the Fall term once completed and corresponding materials are verified and referred.
  • An email confirming receipt of admission materials will be sent to those who have been verified by OTCAS and referred to the FIU OT department by the FIU Graduate School. All correspondence will be made thru the email address provided on the OTCAS application.
  • Only verified and referred applications will be considered for admissions.
  • Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility criteria will be interviewed.

June

  • Information packets are sent out to incoming students with additional FIU OT department requirements, including class registration.

Late August

  • Mandatory new student orientation
  • Classes begin

Selection Procedure

The Occupational Therapy Admission Committee reviews each student’s application file that has been referred by the University Graduate School. Students are accepted into the OT program based on the strength of their academic preparation, personal statement, and recommendation for suitability as a healthcare professional. Exceptional leadership and life experiences are also taken into consideration. Transcripts are reviewed for the type of courses taken, total number of credit hours attempted/earned per semester, number of repeats/withdrawals and performance in required prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses not taken at FIU must be approved by the occupational therapy admissions committee as meeting our content requirements.

Students are admitted once per year for the Fall semester. The FIU Occupational Therapy (OT) Program uses a rolling admissions process, meaning applications are reviewed as they are completed and verified.

Qualified applicants may be invited to interview either prior to or after the application deadline.

  • Applicants who interview early may be:
    • Recommended for admission,
    • Not recommended for admission, or
    • Deferred for a final admission decision until all interviews are completed after the application deadline.
  • Applicants who interview after the application deadline may be:
    • Recommended for admission,
    • Not recommended for admission, or
    • Placed on an alternate list.

Final admission decisions are made after a comprehensive review of the application and interview materials.

Transfer & International Students

Transfer and international students must meet additional university requirements before proceeding with an application. Visit the FIU Graduate School website for details. International students are accepted subject to space and fiscal limitations. Students must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an institution recognized in their own country as preparing students for graduate level study; academic eligibility for further study in their own country; and demonstrated proficiency in the English language with a minimum score of 4.5 on the iBT TOEFL, a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS, or a minimum score of 110 on the Duolingo English Test. International students must contact the International Student and Scholar Services department before applying.

About our Admissions and Program Policies

Florida International University and Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences policies, procedures, requirements and regulations are continually reviewed to serve the needs of the university/college’s publics and to respond to the mandates of the Florida Department of Education, Board of Governors, the Legislature, and other regulatory and accrediting agencies. Changes in programs, policies, procedures, requirements, and regulations may be made without notice.

Contact Us

For assistance or questions regarding our admission and/or application requirements, please contact the FIU Occupational Therapy department:

Tel: 305-348-6068
Fax: 305-348-1240
Email: occupthe@fiu.edu

For information about admissions:
Danett Garcia-Roves, Pre-Health Science Advisor | 305-348-7703 | https://go.fiu.edu/Danett