Denton MOT Application

 

Preparing for Application to the MOT Program on the Denton Campus of Texas Woman’s University

The MOT Program in Denton and the pre-OT Degree Plan

The pre-OT degree plan prepares the undergraduate student for application to the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program offered on the Denton Campus.  Students from the undergraduate majors of child development, family studies, kinesiology, health studies, or psychology complete the TWU undergraduate core requirements, the required courses in the major, and the prerequisite courses for the MOT program.  In addition, all declared pre-OT students attend an information seminar each fall and spring semester, hosted by the School of Occupational Therapy.  At the seminar pre-OT students receive information concerning the profession, network with current MOT students, and are updated on the MOT selection process.

One year preceding the completion of all non-OT courses on their plan, pre-OT students may apply to the School of Occupational Therapy for approval to begin occupational therapy coursework.  Enrollment in a pre-OT degree plan as an undergraduate student does not guarantee admission into occupational therapy coursework. A predetermined number of students can be accepted based on availability of clinical facilities, space, and faculty. Entrance is competitive. Selection is based on:

• Academic performance
• On-campus interview
• Writing sample
• Therapist recommendation after completion of 20 volunteer hours with an occupational therapist
• Total number of students that can be admitted in the program

Application for approval to begin occupational therapy coursework must be submitted by September 15^th for the subsequent fall semester. Selection is made the January preceding the student's completion of all requirements of the major with the exception of occupational therapy courses.  Applicants who are not selected for admission into occupational therapy courses have ample time to meet with their undergraduate advisors, explore alternatives, adjust goals and plan for timely graduation.

The MOT program

Pre-OT students who have been selected begin occupational therapy courses the following fall semester.  The undergraduate degree plan determines whether the student completes one or two semesters of occupational therapy coursework as part of the undergraduate degree. One semester prior to undergraduate degree completion, students taking occupational therapy coursework apply to the Graduate School.  To begin graduate level coursework a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above in all occupational therapy courses completed is required.   To be accepted into the Master of Occupational Therapy program as a graduate student the student must meet the requirements of the Graduate School.  Once accepted by the Graduate School pre-OT students transition from undergraduate to master's level and are admitted to the Master of Occupational Therapy program. To complete the Master of Occupational Therapy degree, the student must complete the remaining graduate course work in occupational therapy and six months of full-time occupational therapy internship. 

The Master of Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE*). With successful completion of the Master of Occupational Therapy degree, the student is eligible to apply for the national certification examination given by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (www.nbcot.org).  Note:  Students are advised that NBCOT may deny an individual’s application to take the exam if he or she has a criminal felony conviction.  The School of OT recommends that students with a felony conviction contact NBCOT for an “early determination review.” 

*ACOTE
PO Box 31220
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220
301-652-2682

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATION

Step 1:  Apply to Texas Woman's University as an undergraduate student (Transfer students welcome!)

Navigate online to www.twu.edu/admissions/  to begin the process. 

Step 2:  Select a major, meet with your undergraduate advisor in that major and select a pre-OT degree plan.

• child development
• family studies
• kinesiology
• health studies
• psychology

Step 3:  Attend the School of Occupational Therapy pre-OT information seminar each Fall and Spring semester while taking courses in undergraduate major.

Step 4:  Complete 20 volunteer hours under the supervision of an occupational therapist

No more than two years prior to actual application, contact an occupational therapist and arrange for 20 hours of observation/volunteer experience of occupational therapy practice under his or her supervision.  Present the occupational therapist with the enclosed recommendation form and instruction letter.  As indicated in the instruction letter, provide the supervising therapist with an envelope for the recommendation form to be sealed and signed.  You will submit this with your application prior to September 15th.  Note – The School of Occupational Therapy does not refer applicants to specific clinical sites or therapists for observation hours.  This choice is the responsibility of the applicant.  Typically occupational therapy practitioners are glad to provide this service to persons interested in joining the profession.

Step 5: Apply to the School of Occupational Therapy to take occupational therapy courses

Submit the School of Occupational Therapy application by September 15th before the fall you will be ready to begin occupational therapy courses as indicated on your pre-OT degree plan.  Your undergraduate advisor will help you in determining when that is. 

Texas Woman’s University
School of Occupational Therapy
PO Box 425648
Denton, TX  76204-5648

Minimum requirements to apply to take occupational therapy courses

§  An advisor and major department approved pre-OT degree plan

§  Consistent attendance at the pre-OT information seminars (held once each fall and spring semester during undergraduate work under a pre-OT degree plan)

§  Pre-OT degree plan including completion of all core and major courses before entry into occupational therapy courses

• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in higher education (includes all courses completed, at TWU or elsewhere, at the time of application.)
• Submission of a School of Occupational Therapy application
• A grade of a B (3.00) or higher for each prerequisite course (each course can repeated only once; both the original and repeat grade will be included in the pre-requisite average.)

§  Pre-requisites differ somewhat by undergraduate major but have the following content:

• • Math Sciences
    • Elementary Statistics
  • Biological Sciences
    • Anatomy & Physiology I
    • Anatomy & Physiology II
    • Kinesiology/ biomechanics
    • Neuroanatomy/Physiology Lecture
    • Neuroanatomy/Physiology Lab
  • Behavioral Sciences
    • Developmental Psychology or lifespan development
    • Abnormal Psychology
    • Introduction to Psychology
• A minimum of 20 hours of recent volunteer work under the immediate supervision of an occupational therapist. This must be done no more than 2 years before applying for permission to enroll in OT course work.  The applicant is responsible for arranging the volunteer experience and securing the recommendation materials from the School of OT at 940-898-2801.

SELECTION PROCESS

• After initial eligibility is established, the Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee reviews all application packets. Individuals from this group are selected and invited to attend an interview on the Denton campus. 
• The Admissions Committee meets approximately two weeks after the Interview.  Students are recommended for acceptance on the basis of academic proficiency, ratings by clinical supervisor and interviewers, and ability to communicate well in writing. All applicants are notified in writing as to acceptance status.

IF ACCEPTED INTO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY COURSES PROOF OF IMMUNIZATION RECORD AND A BACKGROUND CHECK WILL BE REQUIRED.

Step 6:  Apply to the Graduate School

One semester before baccalaureate graduation pre-OT degree plan students apply for admission into the Graduate School https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX

Minimum requirements to apply from pre-OT into the MOT program in Denton

§  Submission of an application to the Graduate School

§  A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in all occupational therapy courses.

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 most states require licensure in order to practice.  A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.