Direct Admit Pathway

The MU OTD department is very excited to be offering this new pathway for direct admittance into the OTD program.  The direct admit pathway is for incoming freshman. Candidates apply to this program out of high school using the Common Application or Marquette's First-Year Student Application. On the application, candidates will indicate their interest in the direct-admit OTD pathway and will be asked to provide a supplemental essay specific to the occupational therapy application. The application deadline is February 1st. Once you apply, the OTD department will review your transcripts, application, and essay outlining your desire to become an occupational therapist.  If accepted, you can complete your OTD degree in just six short years as long as you maintain program requirements! 

Admissions Timeline Post Baccalaureate

Students admitted to our entry-level doctoral program begin study in the fall semester each year.  The application cycle for a fall 2025 start will open on July 21, 2024.  Application materials are accepted through OTCAS (Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service) 

Please use the hyperlink below to our online application site:

https://otcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

Marquette OTD admissions is rolling, which means that completed applications are reviewed once received and review is ongoing until the class is filled. 

• Application Cycle Opens: July 21, 2024
• Preferred Deadline: October 1, 2024
• Final Deadline: June 6, 2025 @ 11:59 p.m. EST

Virtual interviews for qualified applicants will be conducted from October 2024 through June 2025.

Eligibility

All applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree (any field) from a regionally accredited institution prior to matriculation into the OTD program.

Applications will be reviewed by the Marquette University OTD Admissions Committee upon successful completion of all requirements listed below.

Admissions Timeline for MU Undergraduates

3+3 EARLY ADMISSION

ELIGIBILITY
• The 3+3 early admission program is not restricted to specific majors at Marquette University. Within the College of Health Sciences, the majors of Exercise Physiology (EXPH), Psychology (PSYCH) and Biomedical Sciences (BISC) have defined pathways to allow for application and admission to the 3+3 program for senior year, please consult with your adviser and/or the EXPH or BISC major section of this bulletin. Undergraduate students in any other major at Marquette University may be eligible to apply if they are on track to complete all Marquette Core Curriculum (MCC) and college/major/minor requirements, such that no greater than 34 total elective credits remain to complete the undergraduate degree upon entering the OTD program in the senior year.
• The human anatomy and human physiology prerequisites must be completed at Marquette University.
• Undergraduates who transfer to Marquette University from another institution must have a minimum of 30 total credit hours (2 terms) completed at
Marquette University and meet all other 3+3 eligibility requirements listed above.

3 + 3 Applications are due Monday, January 6th 2025 (Fall 2025)

Admissions Requirements

Applications and transcripts are to be sent to Dr. Erin Campbell (erin.campbell@marquette.edu)

• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions.
• Minimum OTCAS calculated cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) required
• Three letters of recommendation. Suggested authors include:
• Major adviser or professor who can comment on academic ability and preparation for graduate-level studies
• Work supervisor or manager who can comment on work ethic and related behaviors such as reliability, timeliness, accountability
• An individual (not a relative) who can speak to your nature, character, goals, etc.
• Observation of an occupational therapist or experience(s) illustrating an understanding of and commitment to the occupational therapy profession.
  • Through volunteering, observation and/or work experience within an organization or setting where occupational therapy services are provided.  While a set number of observation hours is not required, applicants should consider gaining experience in a variety of practice sites over time and across the lifespan. Observations must be completed at time of application; OR
  • By completing a series of online OT Exploration Modules. Applicants choosing this option may request access to the modules by sending an email to marquetteOT@marquette.edu
  • Applicants must complete and upload the “Assignment and Reflection Documentation Packet” to their CAS portal.
• NOTE: Exposure to occupational therapy can be gained in ONE of the following ways:
• Prerequisite courses. Successful completion of all prerequisite courses prior to matriculation into the OTD program.
  • Note: Pass/fail grades will be accepted as fulfillment of no more than four prerequisite courses taken in the spring/summer/fall 2020 terms. Human Anatomy and Human Physiology MUST be taken for a grade.
  • Pass/fail grades will be scored at a 2.0 value (4.0 scale) for internal admissions calculations.
• Courses must be taken from a regionally accredited institution and completed within 7 years prior to application, with the exception of anatomy and physiology courses that MUST be completed within 5 years prior to application. 
• Courses must be completed with a "C" grade or higher; a "C-" will not be accepted. 
• Advanced Placement (AP) courses and/or test scores will only be accepted for Statistics

* Human Anatomy and Physiology may not be completed in online form

Accepted Students:

In addition to academic requirements, accepted students must be able to carry out the basic duties and essential functions of a generalist occupational therapist with or without reasonable accommodation(s). Accepted students must complete additional requisites for admission prior to matriculation, including, 

• Health and immunization records, screens, forms completed
• Drug test
• Caregiver Background and Criminal History Check 
  • The State of Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services mandates that all persons who seek to be employed and/or licensed in the caregiver industry must fulfill the Caregiver and Background Check. Occupational therapy students are required to complete a background and criminal history check prior to matriculation and must abide by the university and state regulations pertaining to the findings. Background results may not prevent admission to the OTD program; however, some findings may limit options for placement in fieldwork rotations and/or restrict options for other experiential learning. Failure to complete this state-mandated requirement will render the student unable to fulfill requirements for graduation from the OTD program. 
• Technical standards

For complete tuition pricing, please visit the link below. This will display Marquette Central's Cost of Attendance page. Tuition pricing is always up to date and current.

https://www.marquette.edu/central/financial-aid/resources/cost-of-attendance-professional-degrees.php

*Tuition costs dependent on board review.