College of Health Sciences

Occupational Therapy

OTA Admission Requirements

NOTE: The following changes have been made to the application/admission process that will be EFFECTIVE for students applying the Spring of 2016 or later.

  1. If required courses are not completed by the end of the Spring semester, only Maymester coursess will be considered for application. Summer I courses will no longer be considered.
  2. Two copies of the OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT must be mailed by May 15 to the following: (1) One copy to the ULM Admissions Office and (2) One copy to the OTA Office.
  3. For students re-applying, the application form must be for the current application year.
  4. Biology 2026 (or comparable transfer courses) will no longer be substituted for Biology 1014/1015 requirement. Students must have 6 hours of Anatomy/Physiology lecture in order to apply. Substitutions for for HIGHER LEVEL Anatomy/Physiology will be considered on an individual basis per transcript review and course content.*
  5. Sociology 2026 is a required course. Approved substitutions for this course must follow the Louisiana State Board of Regents approved Social Sciences.*
  6. Math 1016 is a required course. Approved substitution for this course could be a six-credit combination of a higher level math plus Psychology 4039 (Statistics).*

* All grades from required courses and any substitutions for those courses will count toward the application GPA.

 

Applicants for admission to the second year of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (OCTA) must complete the following minimum criteria by the end of ULM's spring semester that application is made (Maymester courses will be considered. Summer I courses will not be considered):

  • possess a minimum uncorrected cumulative grade point average of 2.700 on a 4.000 scale in all previous coursework attempted at higher institutions of attendance
  • possess a minimum uncorrected grade point average of 2.700 on a 4.00 scale in all hours toward the OTA degree
  • complete a minimum of 30 of the required hours of pre-professional coursework in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program; these hours MUST include Biology 1014, Biology 1015, and Psychology 2078.
  • all courses completed must be have a grade of "C" or better

The following requirements must also be completed. Application forms and guidelines for required activities will be posted at the beginning of each spring semester.

  • mandatory participation in an admissions interview and an on-site writing session (details and dates to be provided online on the Interview and Essay Information page)
  • completion of required OT related activities
  • construction of a portfolio according to stated requirements
  • for non-ULM students, two copies of all OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS must be received by May 25 to the following: (1) One copy to the ULM Admissions Office and (2) One copy to the OTA Office. If students are enrolled at another University for Maymester courses, it is the student's responsibility to have the instructor for the course/courses send grades directly to the OTA Program Director by fax or email upon completion of the course. If these grades are not sent by the instructors and received by the OTA Program Director by June 5, the student will be determined to be ineligible for application to the Professional OTA Program.

NOTE: If the student is currently enrolled at another university, it is the student's responsibility to have the instructors in enrolled courses send grades directly to OTA Program Director by fax or e-mail upon completion of the semester.

Having official copies sent of current semester when grades are completed does NOT provide information in time for processing of OTA Applications. If grades are not sent by instructors by May 25, the student will be determined to be ineligible for admission to the professional program.

NOTE: Applicants who acknowledge a felony conviction are warned that the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners may bar persons with a felony record from taking the certification examination or from state licensure.

You may contact these organizations for further information:

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
(an Early Determination review is available)

Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners

 

Progression in the Professional Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (OCTA)

  • students accepted into OCTA are required to fulfill the immunization requirements of the ULM Student Health Center
  • the student has one academic year to successfully complete the didactic coursework of the program. A student who fails to do so will be required to appear before The University of Louisiana at Monroe Occupational Therapy Academic Performance Committee for a hearing to determine continuation in the program
  • the student must complete all required didactic occupational therapy courses with a grade of "C" or better
  • a minimum cumulative, uncorrected GPA of 2.500 on a 4.000 scale is required for continued enrollment.
  • the student must observe all prerequisites in the sequential pursuance of courses leading to an Associate of Science Degree for the Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • before going on Level II Fieldwork clinical affiliations, students must have a minimum cumulative, uncorrected grade point average of at least 2.500.
  • the Academic Performance Committee has the right and responsibility to impose sanctions on a student who is not in compliance with ethical, professional behavior or patient welfare guidelines of the program after following due process guidelines of the program. Sanctions can include dismissal from a course with a grade of "F" and may result in permanent dismissal from the program
  • students will receive a grade of either "CR" or "F" on Level II Fieldwork experiences. A student who does not receive a grade of "CR" on any Level II Fieldwork placement shall be dismissed from the program. Students must complete all Level II Fieldwork requirements within 18 months following the completion of occupational therapy content courses
  • students who fail to successfully meet all OCTA requirements, including a "CR" on Level II Fieldwork, will be dismissed from the program. Students may request to appear before the Academic Performance Committee to determine conditions which might allow continuation in the program.