OT degree program offered: Entry-Level Doctorate Degree Program

Program Description:

The Rush University Department of Occupational Therapy has prided itself in preparing world-class clinicians over the past 30 years. This preparation includes early and frequent immersion in a variety of clinical settings. Our practitioner-teacher-investigator model allows students to have regular contact with faculty and clinicians who facilitate real-life learning in real-life settings. For more information visit our OT website. 

The Rush University Occupational Therapy entry-level doctoral program received Candidacy Status through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. The Rush University entry-level doctoral program in occupational therapy will build on the successes of the entry level masters program in occupational therapy, which has been ranked among the top 15% of entry-level masters programs nationally.

Requirements:

• A completed OTCAS application
• Must hold a bachelors degree from an accredited institution
• Required cumulative GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to beginning the program
• Official scores from the GRE, (General Test taken within the past five years, required)
• A combined score of 302 on the revised test (1000 prior to August 2011)
• Minimum score of 4.0 on the analytical writing subtest
• Atleast 40 hours of experience/familiarity with occupational therapy through observation and/or volunteering, with occupational therapy practitioner in a least 2 settings is recommended.
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals acquainted with your academic/professional aptitudes and one letter MUST be from an occupation therapy practitioner.
• An on site interview and supplemental application by invitation only.

Evaluation criteria:  The three part admission procedure includes an objective evaluation of academic credentials and standardized test scores; a review of personal credentials; and an on-campus interview by invitation. 

Summary of Admission Procedure and Timetable:

• Final Application Deadline is  December 1, 2018
• Early Application Deadline is October 15, 2018
  
• On-site interviews are scheduled from  November through January
• Early acceptances are sent after interviews and all admissions decisions sent out by mid-February
• School begins in September, 2019

Additional requirements and considerations: (Send items directly to the OT program)

• Supplemental application, required only if invited for an interview (no fee,code provided)
• Official transcripts are required to be sent to Rush only for students accepted into our program.

Foreign Applicants Citizenship requirements: 

• TOEFL scores are required.
• Please submit all transcripts to World Education Services, Inc (www.wesorg) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc, (www.ece.org) for evaluation. All WES or ECE transcripts should be sent to OTCAS.
• If you are accepted into the program, you can then apply for the I-20 certificate of Eligibility for the F-1 student visa. In order to be eligible for the I-20, it is necessary to prove that you have enough financial support for tuition and living expenses for the first academicyear.
• Please contact our Office of International Services, once you have been accepted (312) 942-2030.

  Other facts about Rush:

• Rush University is uniquely focused on health care careers and is situated within the Rush University Medical Center campus on the near west side of Chicago.
• We accept 36 students per admission cycle.  There were over 500 applicants in 2017
• Campus is accessible via public transportation and CTA use is free while classes are in session.
• During the previous three years (2013-2015) 107 of 108 matriculated students graduated from the program, resulting in 99% graduation rate.
• Graduates of the program have a 100 percent employment rate within three months of graduating. They have accepted competitive positions in the Chicago area and across the country in the following settings:
• Community-based agencies
• Educational settings
• Hospitals
• Private practices
• Rehabilitation centers
• University clinics