Applying to the UNH Occupational Therapy Professional BS/MS Program

The Occupational Therapy Professional BS/MS Program  prepares students for entry-level occupational therapy practice. Students gain knowledge and skills to work with people of all ages to enable their participation within their natural environments and daily life activities, including education, work, self-care, home management, and leisure. Students admitted to the BS/MS program as undergraduates apply to the UNH Graduate School in their senior year.

There are 3 entry points into the OT Professional BS/MS Program as follows:

• Applying to enter as a Freshman
• Applying to enter as a Junior.  Applications are accepted from sophomore internal transfer students enrolled at UNH for transfer into the program in the Junior year.
• Applying to enter as a Masters student

The admission process is unique for each of these entry points.

Freshman Admittance

High school seniors interested in applying to UNH’s OT Professional BS/MS Program follow the process for all interested Freshman, and should contact the UNH Office of Admissions.  The admissions Website contains complete campus visit information and an online visitor registration. It also contains admissions criteria and important dates, as well as the online application.  The University of New Hampshire conducts an individualized, holistic review of our applications for admission. Students should complete the necessary SAT testing.  The following college preparatory coursework is necessary to be considered minimally qualified for baccalaureate admission to the University.

• Four years of English
• Two years of a single foreign language (Three years of a single foreign language is preferred);
• Three years of mathematics including algebra I, geometry and algebra II
• Three years of science, two of which must be laboratory sciences
• Three years of social sciences (including U.S. History)

BS/MS OT degree requirements and coursework are described under Undergraduate Program.

Transfer Student Admittance

Sophomore students currently enrolled at UNH who are interested in transferring into the OT program must pick up an application form, from the Department of Occupational Therapy, Hewitt Hall.  Applications must be submitted by March 1. Students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better are considered for entry into the program, space permitting.   Transfer students must have a plan to complete the necessary coursework required as part of the BS degree in Occupational Science. Degree requirements and coursework are described under Undergraduate Program. Students who are in their junior or senior year in another field of study, who wish to pursue a career in occupational therapy must complete their BS degree prior to applying the OT Professional Program, as a graduate student. 

Graduate Student Admittance

Students interested in pursuing a career in occupational therapy who have a Bachelors degree, an undergraduate overall GPA of 3.0 or better, and completion of the necessary prerequisite coursework may apply to the OT Professional BS/MS program. Students who are in their junior or senior year in another field of study must complete their BS degree prior to entering the program as a graduate student.  Students enter the program as graduate students and receive an MS degree in Occupational Therapy.  Students wishing to apply should contact UNH Graduate School. Applications can be completed on-line or picked up at the Graduate School.  Students are encouraged to apply early as it is a competitive process due to space limitations.  A rolling admissions process is instituted so that applicants with all prerequisite courses completed can apply and have their applications reviewed by the Fall semester prior to the year they wish to enroll.  The deadline for receipt of applications is January 15.

Prerequisite coursework that must be completed prior to beginning the program is as follows:   Adult Development, Child Development (one course that covers lifespan development may be sufficient, although 2 courses in human development are preferred), Abnormal Psychology, Statistics, 2 courses in Anatomy and Physiology with Labs, Neurology or Neuroanatomy with a Lab.  Students who have not yet completed all prerequisite coursework may apply, provided that they have a plan to complete all prerequisite coursework prior to the Fall that they wish to begin the program. Students must complete and submit the Pre-requisite Verification Form with their application. Campus visits and informational sessions can be arranged through the Department of Occupational Therapy. Once applications are complete (includes application form, application fee, essay, three references, and official transcripts) they are reviewed by the Department of Occupational Therapy.  Completion of GRE testing is not required.

Students already enrolled in the OT Professional BS/MS program are considered as advanced standing Master’s students, following completion of their BS in Occupational Science. Students admitted to the BS/MS program as undergraduates apply to the UNH Graduate School in their senior year, and those who meet academic standards, and meet Graduate School admissions policies and requirements, will be accepted into the MS portion of the OT Professional BS/MS program.