Admission Information
Step #1: Apply to Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)
The UTRGV Occupational Therapy program uses the Centralized Application Service of Occupational Therapy Schools (OTCAS) for students applying to the program. All applicants to the OT program are required to submit their application to OTCAS with all required materials by the February 1st application deadline. Please refer to the OTCAS website for instructions on submission of the OTCAS application materials. Materials to be submitted to OTCAS include application, official transcripts, letters to the reference, and personal statement. The official GRE scores are sent to the UTRGV Graduate College but are self-reported on OTCAS.
Step #2: Submit a UTRGV Graduate Application at www.utrgv.edu/graduate/onlineapplication. The university application fee of $50 ($100 for International Applicants) can be paid online by credit card or electronic check (in the online application). All application fees are nonrefundable.
Review and Submit all Program Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.Official transcripts from each institution attended (must be submitted directly to UTRGV).
- Personal statement addressing (a) why you select OT as a career; (b) how an OT degree relates to your immediate and long-term professional goals, and (c) describe how you’re personal, educational, and professional background will help you achieve your goals.
- Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources.
- GRE General Test. Minimum scores: 150 Verbal, 140 Quantitative,2.5 Analytical Writing. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years. A waiver of the GRE requirement will be granted to applicants who show proof of completing a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral).
- Documented volunteer hours or experiences.
- Submission of application to OTCAS.
- Personal interview.
- Signed FERPA Consent allowing community-based Occupational Therapists to evaluate application materials.
- Specified undergraduate coursework completed within 5 years of the February 1st application deadline with a grade of C or better and 3.0 GPA on all prerequisite coursework.
o Anatomy & Physiology I (Lecture & Lab)
o Anatomy & Physiology II (Lecture & Lab)
o Basic Statistics
o Psychology of Lifespan
o Abnormal Psychology
o Anthropology or Sociology
o Biomechanics
o General Physics I (Lecture & Lab)
o Technical Writing
o Medical Terminology
Additional requirements for domestic applicants who attended foreign universities:
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TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years. Learn More about TOEFL / IELTS.
- English translation of educational records.
- Transcript Evaluation by the Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA) or the World Education Services (WES). Learn more about FCSA.
Additional requirements for international applicants:
- TOEFL or IELTS Language Proficiency Test with minimum scores: 550 on paper-based, 213 on computer based, or 79 on internet-based for the TOEFL; 6.5 for the IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years. Learn more about Additional requirements for international applicants.
- English translation of educational records.
- Transcript Evaluation by the Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA) or the World Education Services (WES). Learn more about FCSA and WES.
- Financial Documentation showing sufficient funds (minimum of $25,000) to cover all expenses (living and academic) for the first year of study. Read more about the financial documentation needed.
- Immigration documents, including a current copy of your valid passport. Read for more about the international admissions requirements.
Important Information
In keeping with the University of TexasRio Grande Valley policy, the Department of Occupational Therapy Admission Committee does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, previous major, or college attended.
Applicants who have a felony conviction are advised that the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) may bar persons with a felony record from taking the certification examination and the Texas Board of Occupation Therapy Examiners may deny person with a felony record a state license to practice. Please contact the National Aboard for Certification in Occupational Therapy and the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners regarding their requirements for certification following graduation.
In signing your admission application to the Graduate College, please ensure that all information given on your applications Is complete and correct and that misrepresentation or omission of information on this application and/or credentials is cause for denial of admission to the program, and that you have read and understand the following statement: “Persons convicted of felonies may be unable to sit for the occupational therapy certification examination” (NBCOT).
Admissions Deadlines:
| Fall | Spring | Summer I | Summer II | |
| Domestic | February 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| International | February 1 | N/A | N/A | N/A |