Occupational Therapy Assistant: Admissions

Program Requirements

We take great pride in the rigor of our curriculum and our students' thirst for success. Setting the bar high in our program admissions requirements helps maintain those standards from the get-go. All are outlined below for you to begin your application.

Part 1: Apply to AHU

Whether you're a first-time college student or transferring from another school, you must first apply for General Studies admission at AHU. After you've been admitted for General Studies, you can then apply to a professional program.

View General Admission Requirements

Part 2: Apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Admissions Committee makes the final decision regarding acceptance to the OTA program. Applicants who meet our general requirements and criteria are well positioned for a positive committee review. Admission into the program is competitive, and meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admittance. The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and various state licensing agencies require disclosure of all felony convictions. The results of this background check may impact eligibility for certification and licensure. Eligibility should be determined in advance of beginning an educational program. Felony convictions may be resolved by the NBCOT’s Qualifications Review Committee. Mental health intervention may also affect the individual’s ability to obtain state licensure.

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  • Apply

    Please submit the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Application once admitted to the University, accessible through my.ahu.edu

  • Minimum GPA

    We require a minimum cumulative, unweighted high school GPA of 2.70 or 12 college credits from a regionally accredited college with a 2.70 minimum GPA—a cumulative record of all college-level work.

  • ACT or SAT Score

    We require a minimum ACT composite score of 19 or a combined SAT score of 910 from applicants. Potential entrants with 24 or more college-level credits from a regionally accredited college, however, are exempt from this requirement.

  • Repeated Cognates

    We permit applicants to have repeated two (2) cognates, one time each, while remaining eligible for admission into OTA program, including transfer credits. Failed courses that fall outside the Transfer of Credit time limits will be counted against the applicant; however, the applicant is eligible to explain the reason for the repeated courses through an appeal process.

  • Recommendations

    Please submit two AHU Recommendation Forms. If an applicant to an undergraduate program has completed at least one trimester at Adventist University of Health Sciences before being admitted to a program, one of the two recommendations must come from any Adventist University faculty member, adjunct professor, tutoring coordinator, chaplain, or academic advisor. Special recommendation forms for this requirement are available in the Office of Enrollment Services.

    AHU Undergraduate Recommendation Form (PDF) →

  • Essay

    Your essay must be 500-750 words. Be sure to use proper spelling, punctuation and grammar. The essay should address each of the following questions. What are some of the characteristics that would make a good occupational therapy assistant, and how do you feel that you show them? In what ways do you feel that you exhibit the qualities of a Christian professional that the university is looking for in its occupational therapy assistant graduates? Please email completed essay to Admissions@my.ahu.edu.

  • Volunteer or Observation Hours

    Although volunteer or observation hours in an occupational therapy clinic are not mandatory prior to admission, prospective students are strongly encouraged to spend as much time as possible observing, volunteering, or working in multiple occupational therapy settings to better understand the profession. Applicants with this experience have shown enhanced performance during the essay portion of the admissions process.

  • Interview

    If invited, applicants will be required to attend a face to face interview on the AHU campus.

  • Deposit

    We require that accepted applicants place a nonrefundable $200 deposit to reserve your program slot. Your acceptance letter will outline a deposit amount and deadline indicating when we must receive the deposit. Once enrolled in the program, these funds will be applied to your account. Those who paid the deposit but decline to enroll in the program will forfeit the deposit; If that student is admitted to the same program at a later date, AHU will require another full deposit. If an applicant is admitted to a program with prerequisites in progress and becomes ineligible for admission due to grades, however, a full refund will be provided. A professional program deposit is not transferable to another department.

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