Pre-Occupational Therapy

Click on the categories below to learn more about the pre-occupational therapy track at UCCS, examination requirements, application timelines and checklists, shadowing and clinical experiences, and additional resources. 

Choosing a Major 
Upon starting your undergraduate education, one of the first decisions you are faced with is choosing a major. Occupational therapy programs generally do not require applicants to complete a specific undergraduate major, as long as they have completed the required prerequisite coursework. It is important to choose a major that you both enjoy and can excel in academically.

In addition to selecting a major of your choice, you have the option to select the UCCS Pre-Occupational Therapy Track: Pre-Occupational Therapy Preparation 2025-26

IMPORTANT: UCCS does not have an occupational therapy program. Pre-Occupational Therapy Track is not a major or a minor, but a listing of prerequisite courses and recommendations needed to be eligible for admission into CSU’s College of Health and Human Services in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Other programs may have different requirements. Students should check admissions requirements for all schools to which they plan to apply. 

Completion of prerequisite coursework does not guarantee acceptance into any professional degree.

 

Most occupational therapy programs in the U.S. use the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS), a centralized application platform that streamlines the OT school application process. Applicants complete one primary application through OTCAS — including personal information, coursework, experiences, personal statements, transcripts, and letters of recommendation — and then designate the specific programs to which they want to apply. 

OTCAS opens each year in mid-July, and programs set their own deadlines within the OTCAS cycle; it’s strongly recommended that applicants submit early because many schools review applications on a rolling basis and verification by OTCAS can take several weeks. For more information about the application process, visit: OTCAS Applicant Help Center - Liaison

While most U.S. occupational therapy programs participate in the OTCAS, not all OT schools use OTCAS. Applicants should always check each school’s admissions page to confirm how to apply, because programs that don’t participate require you to apply directly through the school rather than through the centralized system.

To learn more about program requirements and application information, visit: School Directory – ACOTE

 

Occupational therapy programs in the U.S. vary in their examination requirements for admission. While some programs require applicants take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as part of their application, others do not. 

Because requirements vary widely by school, it is important to check the admissions criteria for each individual OT program you’re applying to in order to understand whether the GRE or any other standardized exam is required.

To explore OT program and their requirements, visit: School Directory – ACOTE

More information about the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) can be found at: The GRE Tests

 

 

 

Shadowing in the context of occupational therapy preparation refers to observing a licensed healthcare professional (such as an occupational therapist) in their work environment to learn about their daily responsibilities and workflow. Most occupational therapy graduate programs in the U.S. expect applicants to gain firsthand exposure to the profession through shadowing of licensed occupational therapists. 

Many programs require minimum documented shadowing and observation hours with a licensed occupational therapy practitioner. Common minimums include 30–40 hours of direct observation in one or more practice settings (such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, pediatric settings, or skilled nursing facilities). It’s important to check the requirements of each individual occupational therapy program you plan to apply to in order to understand their specific expectations for shadowing or clinical observation hours. 

Additional Resources

UCCS Student Clubs and Organizations: