Occupational Therapists (OTs) help people of all ages build the skills needed for everyday life. Working in clinics, schools, hospitals, and homes, they support patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through personalized treatment. From getting dressed and eating to playing sports or doing schoolwork, OTs empower individuals to engage fully in daily activities.
Considering OT vs OTA?
Occupational Therapist (OT)
Role: Assess patients/clients, create treatment plans, and supervise OTAs who carry out those plans.
Education: Master’s Degree or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy
Program Length: 2–3 years
Annual Pay Range: $67,000-$129,000 per year
Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA)
Role: Work under the supervision of an OT and implement treatment plans.
Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy Assisting
Program Length: 2 years
Annual Pay Range: $48,000-$86,000 per year
Occupational Therapy School Prerequisites
Each Occupational Therapy program sets its own prerequisites. Be sure to check the websites of the schools you’re interested in for the most up-to-date list of undergraduate requirements.
Students are responsible for ensuring their UCSB (and other) courses meet each school's admission requirements.
Courses are not offered at UCSB.
You will need to take these courses outside of UCSB. Students living in the Santa Barbara/Goleta area often choose to take these courses at SBCC (BMS 107 Human Anatomy, BMS 108 Human Physiology). For information on how to register for these courses, visit SBCC.edu.
PSTAT 5A: Statistics (5 units)
or
PSTAT 5LS: Statistics for Life Sciences (5 units)
Courses are not offered at UCSB.
You will need to take these courses outside of UCSB. Students living in the Santa Barbara/Goleta area often choose to take these courses at SBCC (HIT 135: Basic Medical Terminology). For information on how to register for these courses, visit SBCC.edu.
Courses are not offered at UCSB.
You will need to take these courses outside of UCSB. Students living in the Santa Barbara/Goleta area often choose to take these courses at SBCC (PSY 145 Human Development). For information on how to register for these courses, visit SBCC.edu.
Some OT programs may require additional courses to enhance your application. It is the student's responsibility to check program requirements before applying. These courses may include:
- Physics
- General Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Sociology/Social Problems
- Anthropology
Students planning to apply to OT Schools should:
- Visit each OT school’s website for admission requirements.
- Make sure your courses meet each program’s prerequisites.
- Contact the schools directly if you're unsure about a course.
- Double-check that your UCSB (and other) courses meet specific program requirements.
- Work with our Pre-health advising team throughout the process.
Occupational Therapy School Preparation Checklist
These checklists are designed to serve as a general guide. There is no one-size-fits-all timeline for taking admission tests or applying to OT programs, and applicants are not penalized for applying at a particular time. We strongly encourage students to meet with a Pre-health advisor to develop a personalized plan that aligns with their individual goals and timelines.
- Visit Career Services to explore interests and learn more about your personal skills and values.
- Think about possible majors; study what you love!
- Connect with a Pre-health Staff or Peer Advisor.
- Consider volunteer opportunities (campus and community) during 2nd quarter.
- Go to your professors’ office hours.
- Explore student organizations.
- Start clinical experience (shadowing, OT/PT clinic, etc.) during breaks and summer.
- Stay involved in extracurricular activities (clinics, volunteer, etc).
- Begin to think about becoming an officer in your organizations or explore other leadership opportunities.
- Begin research on professional schools and their requirements, and assess your competitiveness.
- Investigate Graduate Record Exam (GRE) preparation options.
- BOTTOM LINE: Keep working and building on the opportunities and experiences you've established!
- Talk to your Pre-health advisor to narrow program options and assess competitiveness.
- Identify at least three individuals (faculty, TA's, coaches, supervisors, etc.) to write letters of recommendation.
- Keep working on the opportunities and experiences you've established.
- Schedule a mock interview with Career Services.
- Register for the GRE.
- Study for GRE and take it.
- Complete application through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).
Note: If you plan to take a gap year, then taking the GRE and completing the application can wait until senior year.
If not taking a gap year:
- Submit application(s) if you haven’t already.
- Wait to be contacted by the schools for interview.
- Continue with activities and professional experiences/shadowing.
- Talk with an advisor about an alternate path, if necessary.
- Finish degree requirements and GRADUATE!
If taking 1 or more gap years:
- Schedule a mock interview with Career Services.
- Register for the GRE.
- Study for GRE and take it.
- Complete application through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).
Academic Requirements & Admissions Considerations
GPA
Minimum GPA requirements vary by program. Most programs have a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. In addition, prerequisite courses typically must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.
Transcript Review & Grade Trends
Admission committees consider more than final grades; they also consider course load per quarter, P/NP grading, repeated courses, and withdrawals (W).
Graduate Records Exam
The GRE is a nationally standardized test, similar to the ACT and SAT. A GRE score is good for three years at most schools, so taking the test in the spring of junior year does not necessarily mean that you must attend a school right after college graduation. Average scores are typically above a 290 (combined scores from the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections).
What you should know about the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
The GRE Consists of Three Sections
- Verbal Reasoning
- Qualitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing
Students can choose a computer-delivered or paper-delivered form.
Testing Limits
- You may take the exam once every 21 days.
- You may attempt the exam up to 5 times within any continuous rolling 12-month period. This applies even if you cancel your scores on a previous test.
- You may take the paper-delivered test as often as it is offered.
Application Fees
- GRE fee is $205.
- Other fees may apply for rescheduling or canceling testing appointments.
- Limited number of Fee Reduction Certificates. Must meet eligibility requirements.
Total Exam Time
Total test time is approximately 3 hours, 45 minutes.
Study Time & Tips
Study Time Commitment: Plan for ~150 hours of preparation.
Reading and Reasoning Skills are Key: The ability to read, analyze and understand text is a crucial skill. Test takers are required to use reasoning skills to select the best answer. While your first choice may be correct, another option might be an even better.
Practice Tests: Take multiple full-length practice tests under test-day conditions.
Occupational Therapy Programs Application Timeline
Refer to this guide to understand what steps to take—and when to take them—during the year leading up to your application cycle.
Year-Around Preparation
The GRE test dates run year-round and can be taken any time, but be mindful of individual program deadlines. Click here for more details.
Note: Some programs have additional questions that need to be answered as part of the primary application while others may send separate requests to complete secondary questions.
Fall Quarter (prior to application cycle)
Reach out to individuals regarding letters of recommendation. Don't forget to follow up with them regarding your application process and deadlines to submit their letters of recommendations.
Mid-July
Occupational Therapy College Application Service (OTCAS) opens in mid-July for both OT and OTA applicants.
Review all OTCAS and program-specific instructions in order to properly complete the application process, including the submission of transcripts, references, test scores, OT observations hours, essay, supplemental materials, and other important items.
September
Begin interviewing at OT programs, if applicable.
Pro Tips for OT and OTA Applicants
- Prepare Ahead: Gather your resume, unofficial transcript, personal statement, and a list of relevant experiences to streamline the process.
- Proofread Thoroughly: Use proper grammar and have your written components reviewed by others.
- Request Official Transcripts: Follow UCSB Registrar's instructions and check your program's application guide to ensure proper submission.
- Fee Assistance Programs: Review eligibility for discounts on application services and entrance exams, and allow time to gather necessary documentation.
Things to Consider Before Applying
- GPA & Academics: Is your cumulative and science/BCP (Bio, Chem, Physics) GPA at or above 3.5? If not, you may want to explore post-bacc programs.
- GRE Score: Is your composite score at or above the national average? If not, consider retaking the GRE.
- Shadowing Experience: Have you shadowed a variety of professionals in different healthcare settings?
- Clinical Experience: Do you have work or volunteer experience with direct patient contact?
- Volunteering (Non-Medical): Have you participated in community service or volunteer work outside of healthcare?
- Research: Have you engaged in undergraduate research?
- Other Involvement: Have you participated in student organizations, athletics, study abroad, or non-medical work experiences?
- Personal Statement: Have you completed a strong draft or final version?
- Letters of Recommendation: Have you requested letters and communicated your tentative application timeline to your writers?
Remember: Quality matters more than quantity. Long-term involvement is more meaningful than short-term experiences.
Explore Additional Resources
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Program Directory
Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)-General Info
Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)-Applicant Login
GRE Information (ETS Testing Services)
Have specific questions?
Meet with a Peer Advisor during Pre-health Drop-Ins or schedule an appointment with a Pre-health Advisor.