Occupational Therapy Doctorate Early Assurance Pathway for Current RIT Students
Occupational Therapy Doctorate Early Assurance Pathway for Current RIT Students
Take the next step toward a career in occupational therapy with confidence. The OTD Early Assurance Pathway gives qualified RIT students the opportunity to earn a conditional reserved seat in a future OTD cohort while receiving early guidance, faculty mentorship, and support to stay on track for graduate study.
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate Early Assurance Pathway is for currently enrolled RIT students interested in continuing their studies in RIT’s entry-level occupational therapy doctorate program. The pathway is designed for RIT students who have completed 60-90 credit hours of study, but who are early enough in their undergraduate program to benefit from prerequisite course planning, OT exposure planning, faculty connection, and professional identity formation.
Step 1
Apply in fall of your third year of study, once you have completed approximately 60-90 credit hours and a minimum 3.2 GPA.
Step 2
Receive an Early Assurance decision from the OTD admissions committee.
Step 3
Earn a conditional reserved seat in a future OTD cohort and receive ongoing advising and faculty support.
Step 4
Complete your bachelor's degree and OTD prerequisites while maintaining pathway requirements.
Step 5
Submit your formal OTD application during the final year of your undergraduate degree.
Step 6
Begin the OTD program upon successful completion of all admission requirements.
Requirements for Eligibility
Students must meet the following criteria throughout their undergraduate program in order to become eligible to apply to the Early Assurance Pathway:
- Must be a currently enrolled RIT undergraduate student with approximately 60 to 90 completed credit hours.
- Have a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher at the time of application to the Early Assurance Pathway.
- Be in good academic and student conduct standing.
- Have a clear plan of study for completion of a bachelor’s degree before matriculating into the OTD program.
- Completion of, or active enrollment in, at least four of the seven OTD prerequisite areas is preferred. These areas include Elementary Statistics, Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Human Growth and Development, General; Psychology, Anthropology or Sociology, and one lab science (Physics or Chemistry with lab)
- Completion of, or active enrollment in, at least one higher-weight prerequisite area is preferred. These areas include Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Statistics, or the lab science requirement.
- Some exposure to the occupation therapy field is preferred before applying to the Early Assurance Pathway. Exposure may include OT observation, rehabilitation employment, disability-related volunteering, adaptive recreation, child development work, aging-related service, or comparable experience.
Ready to explore the OTD Early Assurance Pathway?
Interested in learning whether the Early Assurance Pathway is right for you? Complete a short interest form and an OTD team member will contact you to discuss eligibility, prerequisites, and next steps.
Application Details
To be considered for admission to the OTD Early Assurance Pathway, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Submit an OTD Early Assurance Pathway application form.
- Submit your unofficial RIT transcript.
- Submit a Prerequisite Completion Worksheet showing completed, in-progress, and planned courses.
- Submit an updated resume or CV.
- Submit a personal statement addressing these questions:
- Why occupational therapy, why RIT’s OTD program, and how does your RIT undergraduate preparation connect to human-centered clinical problem solving?
- Submit one reference from an RIT faculty member, advisor, supervisor, or professional contact.
- Submit documentation of any OT observation or comparable experience you have completed to date.
- Submit an advising note from undergraduate advisor or pre-health advisor (optional).
Admission to the pathway is not formal admission to the OTD program. Students selected for the pathway receive assurance that the OTD admissions committee sees them as strong internal candidates and is willing to reserve a seat in a future cohort of the OTD program. Students must successfully complete their undergraduate degree and meet the admission requirements of the OTD program. Students will officially apply to the OTD program in the final year of their undergraduate degree.
When Can I Apply?
Students may apply to the Early Assurance Pathway after completing or actively enrolling in key foundational prerequisite courses. Because the occupational therapy program relies heavily on knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and statistics, applicants are encouraged to complete Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and Elementary Statistics, as early as possible in their undergraduate program.
While students typically apply after earning approximately 60 to 90 credit hours, application timing may vary based on when prerequisite coursework is completed. Students who have not yet completed or enrolled in the required science foundations may need to consult with an academic advisor or the Early Assurance Pathway contact for guidance.
Program Contacts
