2022-2023 Catalog 
    
    Apr 24, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Occupational Therapy


Students wishing to enter the field of occupational therapy (OT) must complete a master’s degree (MSOT) or a doctoral degree (OTD) in occupational therapy, complete a six-month internship, and pass a national board examination. Calvin students have two options, described below, for preparing for admission to a graduate program in occupational therapy. Students should consult with the School of Health Advising Office, pre-health@calvin.edu, to discuss these options and design an academic plan.

Completion of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree


Admission to most graduate MSOT and OTD programs requires a bachelor’s degree. However, a particular major is not required, so long as specified prerequisite courses are taken. Students selecting this option will take courses that fulfill requirements for the completion of a Calvin major of their choice (such as Kinesiology, Psychology, Spanish, or Therapeutic Recreation) in addition to prerequisite courses specified by the graduate occupational therapy programs to which they intend to apply. While requirements vary between graduate schools, prerequisite courses typically include:

3-2 (or 3-3) Combined Curriculum Program with Washington University


Calvin offers a combined curriculum with the Program in Occupational Therapy at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. A student participating in this program will spend three years at Calvin completing the coursework listed below (92 credits minimum). Additionally, students will gain work or volunteer experience in occupational therapy and complete the Graduate Record Exam. Students that meet admissions requirements will apply to the MSOT or ODT program at Washington University. If accepted, a student will transfer to Washington University for two (MSOT) or three (OTD) additional years of coursework and clinical training. Upon successful completion of the first year of study at Washington University (32 credits), the student will receive a Bachelor of Science in Letters and Occupational Therapy from Calvin. Upon completion of a second (or third) year of study, the student will receive a MSOT (or OTD) from Washington University. It should be noted that admission to graduate OT programs at Washington University is competitive and that 3-2 (3-3) students are not given preference in admissions decisions. Students that complete the Calvin (three-year) portion of the combined curriculum program but are not accepted into the graduate program at Washington University may continue their pursuit of a career in occupational therapy by completing a bachelor’s degree of their choice at Calvin and fulfilling graduate program prerequisites.

The requirements for the Calvin (three-year) portion of the 3-2 (or 3-3) Combined Curriculum Program are: