Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service   (OTCAS)

Tips for Navigating OTCAS

Online applications add convenience but can add an element of frustration if things go awry. We’ve compiled 10 tips to help ensure your experience with OTCAS is as seamless as possible.

1. Create an account in OTCAS as soon as you decide to pursue occupational therapy. It’s never too early to familiarize yourself with the application. Flag the institutions you are interested in, and then start to track deadlines, admissions criteria and application requirements.
2. Complete the application on a desktop computer rather than a mobile device or tablet.
3. Google's Chrome web browser seems to work best.
4. Complete tasks that are out of your control first, such as requesting your official transcripts and asking for professional references. Transcripts must be requested from the institution and sent directly to OTCAS. This process can take a few weeks and can cause a delay in completing your application in a timely manner.
5. Ask your professional references if they have time to write a letter of recommendation for you. If they say yes, give them some examples to illustrate your interest in occupational therapy (Personal Statement about Interest in Occupational Therapy) and personal strengths (Personal Statement about Life Experiences).  Your professional references must send their letters of recommendation directly to OTCAS on their own time.
6. When you write your personal statement about interest about occupational therapy and personal statement about life experiences, read the directions that provide specific guidance. Ask a friend or family member to read your response and give you feedback about how your response addresses the directions given.
7. Write your personal statements in a word document and copy-paste your writing into the application. This way, you can monitor word-count and use edit and spell-check features prior to submitting. Save your responses just in case your computer crashes or you have technology issues.
8. Make sure you double-check all the prerequisites. OTCAS will list program prerequisites and then ask you to plug in the courses you have taken to meet the requirements. If your prerequisites are in progress, we recommend typing the information for the course you plan to take in the future and then leaving the grade blank.
9. If you have questions or concerns about using OTCAS, you can contact the OTCAS Customer Service at otcasinfo@otcas.org or (617) 612-2860.
10. If you have questions or concerns about application requirements, please contact the Occupational Therapy Program at rpopovich@setonhill.edu.

Official Transcripts

Please submit an official transcript from every college and university you attended, whether or not a degree was earned, directly to OTCAS. No transcripts are submitted to Seton Hill University at the time of application.

All non-U.S. transcripts (including those in English) must be evaluated by World Education Services and submitted directly to OTCAS.

Bachelor's Degree

The program invites applications from candidates who have, or will have received by the time of enrollment, an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Official transcripts must demonstrate completion of an undergraduate degree beginning the program.

All undergraduate majors are accepted as long as prerequisite coursework is in progress and completed prior to beginning the program. Strong applicants have an undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0. 

We welcome all persons, experiences, and voices. Different perspectives strengthen our learning community.

Prerequisites

An undergraduate foundation in liberal arts is essential to professional education.  Communication, problem solving, cultural awareness, inquiry and reasoning, and reflection skills are all critical for occupational therapy practice. Strong applicants have a grade of A or B as the highest grade attained in each prerequisite course, regardless of retakes.

Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab 6-8 credits

• May be two semesters of a combined Anatomy & Physiology course in lieu of individual Anatomy and Physiology courses.
  • Example: Anatomy & Physiology I & II with an anatomy lab; Human Structures and Functions I & II with an anatomy lab.

Psychology 9-12 credits

Introduction to Psychology

• Example: General Psychology; Psychology 101
• Psychology major in lieu of Introduction to Psychology is accepted.

Abnormal Psychology

• Example: Psychopathology
• Psychology and non-psychology majors must have a specific psychopathology course

Lifespan Human Development

• Human development courses are often taken within psychology or education courses. The prerequisite may be met with  one course across the lifespan or two courses across different life phases. Preference for one course in child/youth development and one course in adulthood/aging development.
• Example single course: Developmental Psychology; Development across the Lifespan.
• Example two courses from: Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology; Adult Development or Aging / Gerontology. 

Sociology / Cultural Anthropology 3 credits

• Example: Introduction to Sociology; Sociology 101; Social Theories; Social Problems; Society & Culture; Cultural Anthropology; Ethnic Studies; Gender Studies; Family Studies; Aging in Society.

Statistics 3 credits

• Example: Introduction to Statistics; Introduction to Biostatistics; Basic Research Methodology; Applied Biostatistics; Introduction to Research; Basic Research Methods; Research Methods; Applied Research.

Applications with more than 3 outstanding prerequisite courses will not be reviewed.

Applicants with 3 or fewer outstanding prerequisite courses will be reviewed and may be conditionally admitted.

For applicants that are conditionally admitted, a transcript must be submitted showing all complete prerequisite courses by August 1. If the transcript is not received by August 15, the applicant's acceptance will be withdrawn.

Letters of Recommendation

You are required to submit two (2) letters of recommendation through OTCAS. Please do not submit additional recommendations directly to Seton Hill University.

Persons who can attest to your academic performance, work ethic, and/or volunteer experience, are recommended. Recommendations from family members and friends are not acceptable.

Personal Statement about Interest in Occupational Therapy

In 250-500 words, please describe your personal interest in occupational therapy. Choose one of the following statements that is most meaningful to you. Give examples to explain how that statement reflects your personal interest in occupational therapy. 

• Occupational Therapy (OT) addresses how we decide, navigate and manage the daily activities that we need and want to do.
• Occupational therapists (OTs) help individuals overcome physical, emotional, and cognitive barriers to daily living. 
• Occupational therapy (OT) is a health profession in which engaging in meaningful activities and occupations enables recovery from illness and optimizes health and wellbeing. 

Personal Statement about Life Experiences

Applications are reviewed holistically which means that every aspect of the application materials is given careful consideration as an indication that the applicant possesses qualities that contribute to successful degree completion. Strong applicants demonstrate some of the following qualities:

• Interest in biological or behavioral sciences.
• Engagement in varied activities of work, leisure, self-care or learning.
• A commitment to community service and offering care to others.
• Ability to adapt and collaborate.
• Ability to think critically and creatively.

Please provide a statement of 250-500 words to describe any life experiences that may have contributed to your strength related to one of these qualities or that can enhance our understanding of you. 

Admission Decisions


Admission decisions will be made within two weeks of receiving all OTCAS application materials.  Applicants with 3 or fewer outstanding prerequisite courses will be reviewed and may be conditionally admitted.

We believe that students bring different perspectives and life experiences to learning and that these different perspectives strengthen excellence in learning.  The program promotes a positive climate that fosters a learning community where all persons are welcomed and valued.

Faculty use a universal design approach to teaching and learning that gives all students equal opportunity to succeed. This educational framework is based on research in learning theory that guides the development of flexible learning environments that can accommodate individual learning differences.

The Occupational Therapy Program at Seton Hill University is dedicated to supporting students in all their educational endeavors. The goal of the program is to prepare students to become general practitioners who can provide quality care to a variety of clients across the lifespan.

Additional Program Requirements

To successfully complete the occupational therapy program, students need to understand what is generally expected during classroom, lab, practicum and fieldwork learning experiences. During orientation for the program, faculty will provide an overview of these expectations and answer any questions about the following areas:

• Technical Standards for Occupational Therapy Practice (skills and abilities)
• Technology (computer skills)
• Professional Behaviors
• Background Check and Drug Screen Policies
• Pre-Clinical Requirements