Occupational Therapy (OT) Scholars

Point Loma Nazarene's Occupational Therapy (OT) Scholars' program is an exclusive opportunity for freshmen and sophomores to be guaranteed a position in PLNU's Master of Science in OT program upon graduation from specific pre- degree programs offered at PLNU.

The OT Scholars’ program allows students seeking careers as occupational therapists to gain valuable health care course content prior to entrance into the post-baccalaureate OT program. This preparatory education, in conjunction with the OT program's didactic and clinical curriculum, enriches the graduate's expertise and competence. In addition, it allows students the opportunity to complete a degree that positions them for a rewarding health care career should they choose another path and elect not to continue in the graduate OT program upon completion of their bachelor's degree.

Application Requirements

The application requirements are as follows:

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3, weighted or unweighted, as reported on the senior year high school transcripts.
• Completion of at least three years of high school math and science.
• Enroll in one of the approved undergraduate majors listed below.
• Completion and submission of an online OT Scholars’ application. To obtain necessary documents, including a link to send to your references, contact Terra Bowles, Department Assistant, Kinesiology, at tbowles@pointloma.edu.
• Reference letters can be from high school teachers, coaches, volunteer/church leaders, and/or from PLNU contacts.

Approved Under-Graduate Majors

• Health and Human Performance (BA; Concentration in Pre-Allied Health)
• Child and Adolescent Development (BA, TUG and AUG)
• Psychology (BA)
• Sociology (BA)
• Applied Health Science (BS)

Timeline

• Complete the online OT Scholars’ application by December 1st of your freshman, sophomore, or junior year.
• Students must expect to be at PLNU for a minimum of six semesters to apply to this program.
• Students will be notified of their acceptance to the program by the end of the fall term. 

Requirements to Remain in the Occupational Therapy Scholars’ Program

Once accepted as a OT Scholar, students are expected to maintain full-time enrollment at Point Loma Nazarene University and meet the following requirements:

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 through completion of your Bachelor program.
• Obtain a B (3.) or higher in all required MSOT program prerequisite courses. A minimum grade of a B- will be allowed for anatomy and physiology coursework. 
• OT Scholars will be required to submit their application to the OT Centralized Application System (OTCAS) by March 31st in the spring of their Senior Year.  A minimum of 40 observation hours (virtual or in-person) of an occupational therapist must be completed by the time of application submission.
• OT Scholars will attend a PLNU OT interview in the spring/summer of senior year.  Dates will vary.

Required Prerequisite Courses for MSOT Program

• Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIO 1030, BIO 1030L, BIO 1040, and BIO 1040L). Alternatively, students may take one semester of anatomy and one semester of physiology. Online and in-person classes accepted. 
• Introductory Statistics (MTH 2003 or MTH 3063)
  • High School AP statistics course credit may be accepted based on the Program Director/Admission Committee Review
• Human Development (CHD 1050)
• Medical Terminology (KIN 2050)
• Social Psychology (SOC 3020/PSY 3020) OR Introduction to Sociology (SOC 1001)
• Abnormal Psychology (PSY 3021)

These courses must be taken at any regionally accredited community, public, or private college or university. Online courses at regionally accredited colleges are also acceptable for psychology, sociology, anthropology, or statistics courses.

Applicants are not given credit for previous coursework towards degree completion in an occupational therapy program. High School AP statistics course credit may be accepted based on the Program Director/Admission Committee review.

*Students looking to fulfill their anatomy prerequisite have the option to complete it through PLNU's Anatomy Learning Institute.

**Medical Terminology either must be on your official transcript with the required grade/units or you can connect with our admissions team to discuss alternatives by emailing

gradinfo@pointloma.edu. 

You may have up to 8 credit hours of prerequisite courses in progress at the time of application to the program. If you are accepted into the program while currently enrolled in one to eight units of required prerequisite courses, you will be provisionally accepted.   The provisional acceptance will be changed to full acceptance once transcripts are received that confirm successful completion of outstanding prerequisite courses that are aligned with the criteria above.

Additional information about other admission requirements can be found on the PLNU MSOT Program webpage.

One Elective Course from the List Below (Choose a course that is not required for your major)

• Therapeutic Exercise (KIN 4010)
• Internship in Kinesiology (KIN 4088)
• Medical Sociology (SOC 4070)
• Sociology of Aging (SOC 3016)
• Race and Ethnicity (SOC 3060)
• Personality and Adult Development (PSY 3000)
• Child, Family and Community (CHD 4020)
• Motor Learning and Motor Development (KIN 3012)

Attend All Required OT Information Sessions

• Fall of your freshman or sophomore year before applying to the OT Scholars’ Program and ongoing each spring.

Observation Hours

All OT scholar students must complete 40 observation hours of an occupational therapist and/or an occupational therapy assistant by the due date for applying to OTCAS-March 31st. 

Program Admission Requirements

Additional information about other admission requirements can be found on the PLNU MSOT Program webpage.