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How to Apply
Applicants must apply online using the OTCAS application.
For more information on OTCAS, please visit the OTCAS website.
The Pace OTCAS application will open in July and close in May.
All submitted application materials must be verified by OTCAS. Please plan accordingly in order to be sure that you meet our application deadline as the OTCAS verification process can take up to 4 weeks.
Incomplete applications or unverified applications will not be reviewed by the program admission committee.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have the ability to perform essential functions of an occupational therapy graduate student (Essential Functions form to be signed by a student).
- All pre-requisite courses must be completed at an accredited institution, with a grade of C and higher, and be taken within the past 10 years.
- The program does not accept Advanced Placement credits or CLEP credits to fulfill prerequisite coursework requirements.
- The program does not accept transfer credits. (All students will take every course in the MSOT curriculum).
- The program does not offer credits for applicants' previous work, experiential, or volunteer experience.
- Students may apply to the program before completing their baccalaureate; however, the bachelor’s degree must be awarded prior to enrollment in the program.
Application Procedures
To be considered for admission, all application materials must be submitted directly to the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) and be verified by OTCAS by May 15. The program’s Admission Committee will review application materials, and the top qualified applicants will be invited for an on-campus interview. Admission decisions will be made after completion of the interview process. Fall Admission enrollment decision will be made in May.
Application deadline
Application deadline for Fall Admission (September entry) is May 15.
Program Application and Admission Requirements
- Earned a baccalaureate in any field from an accredited college or university.
- Completed all pre-requisite coursework.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Cumulative Science GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Submission of official transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Submission of personal statements.
- Submission of résumé or CV including extracurricular activities, any employments, volunteer/community services, recognitions, and awards.
- Submission of two letters of recommendation from professors and Occupational Therapist or employers. Letters from family or friends will not be accepted.
- Minimum of 20 hours of volunteer experience shadowing OT in at least 2 different settings or submission of a volunteer substitution document (please see Volunteer Substitutions During the COVID-19 Pandemic at the bottom of this page).
- Top qualified candidates may be invited for an interview with OT faculty.
- *GRE is not required for applying to the program.
Technology and Required Competencies
A personal computer (laptop is recommended for its portability) and access to high speed Internet services are required throughout the course of the studies. In addition, both synchronous and asynchronous online learning may require your computer to have a webcam, speaker, a microphone, or a headset.
Students should possess basic skills of computer and are proficient in the use the following programs:
- MS Word
- MS PowerPoint
- MS Excel
- Google Doc
- PDF reader
- Compression software (WinZip, 7-Zip)
Students are required to have basic Electronic Communication Skills including:
- Emailing
- Composing, Sending, Replying, and Forwarding messages
- Adding attachments to an email message
- Retrieving attachments from an email message
- Using a web browser
- Downloading and installing software
OT Observation/Volunteer Substitutions During the COVID-19 Pandemic
These substitutions are for Pace University 2023-2024 MSOT application cycle.
Visit the American Occupational Therapy Association website to explore about Occupational Therapy and complete the following.
- Read and review the following page:
- Read the following three articles
- Watch the AOTA YouTube video "What OT Can Do for You."
- Write a 2-page reflection on what you have learned about occupational therapy from watching the film and readings. Describe how this influences or excites you about pursuing a career in OT.
- Your 2-page essay should be original, typed in twelve-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, and proofread for spelling and grammatical errors.
- Upload your reflection/essay and a reference page on OTCAS. Please note: This essay is different from and in addition to your personal statement.