The field of Occupational Therapy (OT) is rapidly increasing, in fact, according to BLS.gov, the Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 12% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This means that approximately 9,600 openings for occupational therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
This demand can be traced down to the aging population, more focus on preventative care and rehabilitation, and even a rise in mental health concerns.
However, joining the trend of professional occupational therapists is not easy, because first of all, you need to be admitted, which most school prerequisites make it hard for individuals to join.
The good news is that there are some easiest occupational therapy schools to get into based majorly on their acceptance rate. You should know that even though these schools have very high acceptance rates, but due to the rigorous standards set by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), it still makes it more competitive.
That said, there are still some moderately easy pharmacy schools to join, and even some difficult ones (especially if you have good personal credentials). In addition, some graduate schools make their entrance requirement very easy to join.
In this blog post, our aim is more on programs that have slightly less competitive admission processes. But don’t assume that easier entrance means poor quality education.
Let’s get started.
How Hard is it to Get into OT School
First of all, let’s clear the myth of “occupational therapy programs without prerequisites,” which is misleading and inaccurate. All OT programs must have certain prerequisites that students must meet before they will be admitted to the school.
The difference is some OT programs have flexible prerequisites where they can accept a wider range of courses. Also, some programs can go as far as providing waivers for some specific prerequisites based on your former work experience or advanced degrees in related fields.
Back to the initial topic, we would be lying to you if we told you it’s easier to get into OT school now than before. There is more awareness of the demand in the field of occupational therapy, so more and more students are joining the trend which is increasing the competition.
So the decision all boils down to your personal preparedness, your academic background, experience, and application strength will all come into play while applying for any OT program. In essence, stronger individual performance makes it easier to join any occupational therapy school of your choice.
Easiest Occupational Therapy Schools to Get into
1. Middle Georgia State University – Cochran, GA
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Minimum GPA: 2.75
- Degree: Master
Middle Georgia State University provides a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT). As you’re working towards completing your program, you will develop skills in occupational therapy theory, evaluation, evidence-based intervention, and program development.
The curriculum mostly focuses on three components: foundational knowledge, courses related to the occupational therapy process, and fieldwork experience.
In addition, they use an online/hybrid mode of delivery, with much of the coursework completed online using various technologies.
2. Northeastern State University, Muskogee
- Acceptance Rate:99%
- Minimum GPA: 2.75
- Degree: Masters
Within 24 months, you’ll complete your Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program. NSU basically focuses on training high-quality occupational therapists for the rural region of Eastern Oklahoma.
After the completion of this program, you won’t only be able to promote the profession and improve the service delivery of occupational therapy, but you’ll also demonstrate professional competencies in communication, a commitment to professional growth through life-long learning, and other important skills.
In essence, this is among the easiest occupational therapy schools to get into that provide excellent education, which you need to take into consideration.
3. University of the Incarnate Word
- Acceptance Rate: %93
- Minimum GPA: 3.0 overall GPA and a 2.9 prerequisite GPA
- Degree: Doctorate
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program at the University of the Incarnate Word was created to help boost your competency in clinical practice, administration, advocacy, education, leadership, and research. When you complete this program you will competently work with newborn babies to the elderly and help them overcome challenges.
One of the interesting things about studying at UIW besides the fact that they made it easy to get into is that with the combination of high-quality education they provide, they also provide service to the community and abundant clinical experience.
4. Keiser University-Fort Myers
- Acceptance Rate: %97
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Degree: Master and Associate of Science degree
This Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Bridge Program at Keiser University integrates didactic, face-to-face, and clinical experiences. All of these methods are meant to help their students succeed on the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) exam and to function as a generalist occupational therapist within the profession.
Keiser University also provide an Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant which will prepare you to work as an occupational therapy assistant under the direct supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.
5. Maryville University
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Degree: Master
This is among the easiest occupational therapy schools to get into that provides an inclusive and student-centered learning experience that prepares graduates with the characteristics and skills necessary to be exceptional entry-level practitioners. With the help of their small cohort sizes of 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, they can easily support each other and build rapport with their professors.
Maryville University is one of the few occupational therapy schools with very easy admission requirements that also provide a Pre-Occupational Therapy program. This program will expose you to the psychology, science, and math courses needed to enter into an occupational therapy graduate program.
6. University of Toledo
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Degree: Doctorate
The University of Toledo is not just among the easiest OT schools to get into but also one of the best universities in the country, U.S. News and World Report recognize them as the 36th best university in the United States. In fact, UToledo OTD graduates outperform the national average on their board exams.
Their excellence could be traced to their small class size – where each cohort has approximately 20 students; hands-on learning – where each semester includes fieldwork; Student support; and Individualized opportunities.
The OTD program will take you 2.75 Years to complete with a total of 95 credits.
7. Carlow University
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Degree: Master & Doctorate
If you are looking for one of the easiest occupational therapy schools to get into, then Carlow University should also be on your list. Carlow University provides both a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) and an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD).
You can complete their MSOT program in 6 semesters, just 73 credits are required, and the delivery mode is totally on campus. Whereas their OTD program requires 100 credits to complete, which can be done within 8 semesters.
8. Cleveland State University
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Degree: Doctorate
This is among the easiest OTD schools accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Their program will prepare you to become a skilled and ethical practitioner who provides occupational therapy services to diverse individuals, groups, communities, and populations within complex interdisciplinary systems using the best evidence.
9. Trinity Washington University
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Degree: Master
The MOT program at Trinity Washington University is a little bit longer than some other OT programs we’ve listed, it will take you 7 semesters to complete. You will need to meet eight weekends in each of these semesters emphasizing active learning, skills practicums, and case-based problem-solving, with online instruction.
Moreover, the program integrates a Hybrid/Online delivery method.
10. University of New Mexico
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Degree: Master’s and Doctorate
The UNM Division of Occupational Therapy offers an entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and a post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (ppOTD). If you are not just looking for an easy school to enter, but also a school in an environment enriched in quality culture, the UNM should be one of your best options.
Their mission is to train occupational therapists who understand different cultures, act ethically, and care deeply about their patients. They also aim to design innovative ways to deliver services where people need them most.
11. University of Southern Indiana
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Degree: Master
Our list of easiest occupational therapy schools to get into wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t mention the University of Southern Indiana, because their MSOT Program does not have a preference as to the major for the bachelor’s degree as long as the required prerequisite courses are completed.
Key Takeaway
In as much as we have listed some of the occupational therapy schools with the easiest requirements to get into, “easiness” shouldn’t be your major focus on choosing an OT program. Rather, you should focus on the quality of the program, its clinical opportunities, faculty competence, and alignment with your interests and passion.
Don’t forget your education is your investment, so the quality of a school matters more than the easiness.