Occupational Therapy (Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy)

• An official transcript must be submitted to OTCAS from each institution you have attended and/or are currently attending. Official transcripts must be received directly from the issuing institution(s).
  • All fall/winter term 2023 and prior transcripts should be directed to OTCAS.
  • All spring/summer 2024 term transcripts should be directed to Creighton University’s Enrollment Services.
• Include three letters of recommendation.
  • We prefer that one letter come from a college professor who can attest to your ability to enter a competitive professional program. If you have been out of school for some time, letters from a work setting can be helpful. Do not submit letters from family members or friends.
• Observation in an OT setting supervised by a licensed occupational therapist.
  • We do not require a minimum number of hours; however the more hours a candidate has acquired, the more competitive an applicant becomes for admission. Observation hours help inform applicant responses during the application and interview process.
• Applicants will be considered for an interview prior to completion of observations. Admitted candidates will be required to complete their observations by August 1, 2024.

A GRE is not required as part of the application process for Creighton’s OTD. 

International Applicants

The School of Pharmacy and Health Professions welcomes applications from international students. International applicants must submit a foreign transcript evaluation to OTCAS through an evaluation service such as World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). International student requirements. 

State Licensure Requirements

The programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy and pharmacy within the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions meet the appropriate and relevant degree requirements for licensure for all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 

You do NOT need to wait until all your prerequisites are complete to apply. Students can apply for the OTD program with outstanding prerequisites. If you are admitted, you will have to finish all prerequisites before August 1 of the year of matriculation. 

This is a direct-entry OTD program, which means applicants don’t need to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree to apply. 

Prerequisite Details

Applicants must complete:

3 Semester Hours/4.5 Quarter Hours each of: 

• Theology, Philosophy and/or Ethics (also includes religion or logic) 
• Culture, Ideas and/or Civilizations (includes history, world religions, American studies, world literature or women’s studies) 
• Human Anatomy (if enrolled in a combined anatomy/physiology course, six semester hours will be required) 
• English Composition 
• Statistics 

6 Semester Hours/9 Quarter Hours of: 

• Psychology (three of the six hours must include either human development or abnormal psychology)  

1 Semester Hour/1.5 Quarter Hours of: 

• Medical Terminology 

38 Semester Hours/57 Quarter Hours of: 

• Electives (Creighton Undergraduate students must complete six hours of Theology among the elective hours)

The School of Pharmacy and Health Professions will make the final decision regarding courses satisfying requirements. 

Technical Standards

In addition to the academic requirements for admission, students must possess skills and abilities that will allow them to successfully complete the curriculum and practice occupational therapy. View a list of the Occupational Therapy program’s technical standards. 

Immunization Requirements

Creighton University puts certain requirements in place for students and the health and wellbeing of our campus community. See Creighton’s immunization requirements. 

Admission requirements for high school students: 

• Prior admission to an undergraduate program of study at Creighton University through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. 
• Minimum High School GPA of 3.5 or higher. (Special consideration may be given to students whose GPAs fall outside this criterion with additional review by the OT Admission committee.) 

Requirements to be met in years 1 and 2 at Creighton to progress on to the OTD professional curriculum: 

• Take ALL prerequisite/pre-professional coursework at Creighton University. Courses taken for college credit/advanced placement prior to high school graduation will not result in ineligibility; however any prerequisite courses taken at other institutions after high school graduation will result in ineligibility. 
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. 
• No grade below a C in any prerequisite course. 
• Full participation in the Pre-Occupational Therapy learning community while enrolled in the pre-professional portion of the curriculum (years 1 and 2).  
• 30 hours of work or shadowing in an occupational therapy setting after acceptance into the program and by the end (August 1) of year 2. 
• Submit an OTCAS Application by October 1, the year prior to enrollment in the OTD professional curriculum. 
• Successful completion of a progression interview, demonstrating growth in knowledge of the profession and strong communication/interpersonal skills. 
• Pass a criminal background check prior to official enrollment in the professional program. 
• Review and sign the technical standards document to acknowledge compliance with technical standards needed to successfully complete the OTD curriculum and practice the profession of occupational therapy.

Any withdrawal from a prerequisite course may impact a candidate’s ability to remain in the Early Assurance Program. Students are strongly encouraged to consult the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Office of Admissions prior to withdrawing from prerequisite coursework. After the withdrawal has occurred, Early Assurance students will be required to submit a written appeal to the admission committee to remain in the Early Assurance Program. Course withdrawals will be considered by the admission committee on a case-by-case basis. 

Creighton Undergrad Preference Program 

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program gives preferential admission consideration to Creighton undergraduate students who complete all prerequisite coursework at Creighton. Benefits of the Creighton Preference include: 

• Baccalaureate degree in any major accepted with a 3.25 GPA in all prerequisites 
• Guaranteed interview with a 3.25 overall GPA 
• Option of a formalized deferral program for one year if admitted and, if they remain enrolled during that year, a 3.25 Science GPA is maintained

To qualify for the Creighton preference, students must:

• Participate in Student Success programming. 
• Take ALL prerequisite coursework at Creighton University. (Courses taken for college/advanced placement prior to high school graduation will not result in ineligibility; however any prerequisite courses taken at other institutions after high school graduation will result in ineligibility.) 
• Submit an online application to the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Admission Office by October 1 of the academic year prior to enrollment in the professional program. Students unable to meet one or more of these criteria are encouraged to apply for admission. 

Course Prerequisite Requirements 

Entrance into the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program for fall 2020 or later requires a minimum of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of prerequisite coursework.

Prerequisite courses may be completed at any regionally accredited institution and must be completed with a grade of C or better (a C- grade is not acceptable). All prerequisite coursework must be completed by August 1 of the desired year of entry. The prerequisites are: 

• 3 semester hours each of: 
  • Theology, Philosophy and/or Ethics 
  • Culture, Ideas and/or Civilizations 
  • Anatomy 
  • Introduction to Psychology 
  • Abnormal Psychology or Human Development 
  • English Composition 
  • Statistics 
• 1 semester hour of Medical Terminology 
• 38 semester hours of electives (including 6 hours of Theology) 

No matter the pathway you choose, Creighton offers a unique pre-professional advising program for undergraduate students interested in occupational therapy. You'll get one-on-one advising and support to move toward your goals.