Post-Baccalaureate Occupational Therapy Certificate Program

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A post-baccalaureate certificate provides an opportunity for students to complete required foundational courses and professional preparation necessary for entrance into an occupational therapy education program.

Occupational Therapy practitioners help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Occupational therapy enables people to function in all of their environments (e.g. home, work, school, community) and addresses the physical, psychological, and cognitive aspects of their well-being through engagement in occupation (sss.aota.org).

An Occupational Therapy degree from Rockhurst University will prepare you to contribute to your community’s health and wellness. Our comprehensive curriculum is presented in an education climate which mimics real-world practices. The Occupational Therapy program includes a combination of classroom-based education and fieldwork experiences. Our comprehensive Occupational Therapy curriculum is conducted in innovative lerning spaces at Rockhurst University.

The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) will be transitioning to an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) in summer 2021. Students starting the Post-Baccalaureate Occupation Therapy (PostBacOT) program in summer 2020 or beyond will be applying for the OTD program, following the requirements listed on our website.

The Rockhurst University entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program has been granted Applicant status through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). ACOTE is a part of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is 301-652-AOTA (2682); its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Students can qualify for pre-admission into the OT program upon successful completion of the PostBacOT certificate program at Rockhurst University. PostBacOT students may be awarded pre-admission guarantee based on a combination of criteria. Those who are offered pre-admission are still required to follow the same application and interview process required for all students.

Eligibility for acceptance into the Rockhurst PostBacOT Program:

Completion of a Bachelor’s degree
Cumulative undergraduate GPA minimum of 3.0
Strong interest and motivation for pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy

Completion of the PostBacOT Program requires:

Applicant must complete a minimum of 15 hours and two semesters of their total Post-Baccalaureate coursework at Rockhurst. Semesters include summer, fall and/or spring.
Pre-requisite coursework completed at Rockhurst or another institution must include, for a total of 35 credit hours:
- CT 2040
- BSS 2100
- PL 3100
- PY 2550
- SO 1000 or Anthropology Course (3 credit hours)
- PH 2700 /PH 2710
- BL 1250 /BL 1251
- BL 3030 /BL 3031 (minimum of 4 credit hours completed within the last 5 years)
- BL 3040 /BL 3041
- NS 2500
If the applicant has less than 15 hours of pre-requisites left to complete, elective courses will be selected from a list of approved courses to fulfill the 15 hour ‘in residence’ minimum.

Completion of Coursework

PostBacOT students develop individual plans along with academic advisors and program directors Dr. Annie Lee and Dr. Laura Salem. Advising meetings take place every semester. Summer coursework is available in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Physics. In addition to basic pre-requisite courses, students have the opportunity to take additional coursework to enhance their application and preparedness for the OT program.

Program Attributes

Cohort size of 48 students
Personalized academic and professional coaching
Open access to professors
Free tutoring and supplemental instruction
Pre-Health LMS page to communicate research, volunteer, and shadowing opportunities
Princeton Review Institutional Partnership with heavily discounted MCAT, DAT, PCAT and GRE courses

Program Cost

For information on current cost per credit hour see the “Tuition and Fees” webpage at www.rockhurst.edu.

Contact Information

Pre-Health Program Directors Dr. Annie Lee, Ph.D. (annie.lee@rockhurst.edu) and Dr. Laura Salem, Ph.D. (laura.salem@rockhurst.edu).

Elective Courses

Any course from the following departments or degrees:

Art
Health Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics)
Psychology
*Other courses accepted with OT Program Chair approval

Admission into Rockhurst University’s Occupational Therapy Program

Eligibility for Pre-Admission:

Achieve and maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative and science grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) each semester throughout the PostBacOT program.

Application Process:

Applying to Rockhurst University’s Master/Doctor of Occupational Therapy program is done through OTCAS - the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service.
Required materials for the application include:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Observation hours - two different OT settings for a total of 16 hours
- Three professional references/letters of recommendation
- Personal Essay
Cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended
Minimum combined science pre-requisite GPA of 3.5 or higher is recommended

** Requirements are subject to change. It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the Office of Graduate Admission to inquire about changes before submitting an application.

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