The application will open July 15th. This is a three-part process with the applications to The Graduate School, submitting video to the JMU MOT program and applying through OTCAS. The OTCAS application will open July 21st.

Early Decision Deadline: Applicants who have completed all requirements and would like to be considered for early decision should submit completed applications, on or before 11:59 pm on September 1st. The remainder of admissions decisions will be made on a rolling basis until the class is full.

Early decisions will be made at the first week of November. Early Decision applicants who meet admission criteria and are not offered acceptance in November may be considered as part of the Regular Decision pool.

Regular Decision Deadline: All application materials should be submitted on or before 11:59 pm on December 1st (including the video).

Positions will be offered on a rolling basis until the class is full.

 Summer (June)

Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions should be uploaded with your electronic application and may be used for departmental admission review purposes. If offered admission, you will be directed and required to submit to the JMU Graduate School an official transcript from any institution other than JMU from which a degree has been awarded to finalize your admission. Transcripts are considered official if they are sent to JMU directly from the issuing institution. The OT Program does not accept transfer credits from another occupational therapy program.

For program consideration, applicants will have the following:

1. Minimum of a bachelor's degree with a recommended overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.

2. Specific prerequisite courses and other requirements that are detailed on MOT Academic Requirements, which are summarized here.

   1. Prerequisite course GPA at or above a 3.0 (B) with grades of "C" (2.0) or higher in each prerequisite course with the exception of anatomy and physiology courses and labs, where an average grade of B- (2.7 on a 4.0 scale) is required. The average prerequisite GPA for the most recently admitted cohort was 3.3. 

   2. For consideration under regular decision, no more than three prerequisites remaining to be completed in the spring semester. Applicants must complete two out of the three science prerequisites (anatomy, physiology, physics or biomechanics) by the end of the Fall 2022 Term.  Should an applicant be taking prerequisites at the time of application, additional transcripts must be submitted to verify grades and enrollment in courses. Students applying for the Early Decision Deadline must have completed all program prerequisites before they apply.

3. Reference/Evaluations (In OTCAS), including individuals who have observed you in volunteer or work capacities. For further information, visit “Non-Academic Requirements/Evaluations(References)”.

4. Personal statement (in OTCAS).

5. Video essay. For more information, visit “Steps to Apply”.

Note that program policies regarding observation/shadowing experiences are detailed on the “MOT (Master of Occupational Therapy) Admission Requirements” page.

6. Applicants are encouraged to complete 20 observation hours in person. Applicants may observe either occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants. We use the system in OTCAS to verify those hours.
   
   Applicants who do not complete 20 in-person observation hours in OTCAS should supplement their application with--and upload documentation showing--completion of online observations in OTCAS. For details about options for shadowing hours, please visit MOT Admission Requirements and select “Exposure to Occupational Therapy (OT) Practice” in the Non-Academic Requirements Section. If you have further questions, please contact our program at otprogram@jmu.edu.

The application process has four parts, as outlined below:

Step 1. Application to The Graduate School

• After completing the Graduate School application, download this document and save it as a PDF file.
• Follow the directions in OTCAS regarding references, official transcripts, personal statement, and volunteer/observation hours. Do not submit these within the JMU Graduate School application.

Step 2. Apply to OTCAS

• Complete your application in OTCAS and select the JMU MOT program. In the JMU program-specific “Documents”, upload your Graduate School Application in the “Required” section.
• If you have completed online shadowing hours, download the certificate/documentation of completion from the shadowing course, and upload it to OTCAS in the “Optional” documents section in OTCAS.

Step 3. Create your video essay, send the link by email to otprogram@jmu.edu.

Step 4. Finalize application by January 10 with the following that are sent directly to otprogram@jmu.edu :

• Copies of fall semester unofficial transcripts (for those enrolled in program prerequisites).
• Proof of spring semester enrollment for any additional outstanding prerequisites.
• For details, visit Finalize Application.

Students accepted into the program having completed a bachelor’s degree at another college/university will be required to identify acquired information seeking skills and computer competency once coursework begins.

• Application --> Visit the Online Application at this link
• Application fee

International Graduate Information

Details regarding transcripts and credential evaluations from non-US academic institutions can be found on the Transcripts & Credential Evaluation webpage. 

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

This program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Please refer to the JMU Professional Licensure Program Status by Jurisdiction Index to determine if this JMU program meets the educational requirements specified by the associated licensing or certification agency in the state or territory in which you are located while enrolled and other states and territories. Requirements vary by state and are subject to change. The information provided is current as of the review date indicated in the table.