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• Admission Procedures for the Professional Master's Degree
• Admission Procedures for the Accelerated Professional Master's Degree
• Admission Procedures for the Post-Professional Master's Degree
• NBCOT Certification Results for Professional Master’s Degree Program
• Early Assurance Admission
• FAQs

Admission Procedures for the Professional Master's Degree Program

Applications are submitted to the Graduate School.  They are accepted from  October 1 to March 31.

Email Beth Velde (veldeb@ecu.edu) when you submit your application.

Admission to the Professional Master's (Entry-Level) Degree Program

Applicants with excellent GRE scores and cumulative GPA should apply in fall or early spring for consideration in our space-limited program. The number of seats available in the program is limited to 20. Submit your application to the Graduate School as early in the time frame as possible.

Prerequisite Courses

Applicants can apply as seniors in undergraduate programs. If you apply and have prerequisites outstanding, please submit a plan of action that describes when and where you will complete the prerequisites. In order to begin the program, the prerequisite courses described below must be completed.

Although these courses can be taken in any college or university, it is the applicant's responsibility to assure that the content of non-ECU courses is equivalent to those listed below. You must receive a grade of C or better on each prerequisite. Copies of course descriptions must be sent with applications if the student is not an ECU graduate. The course descriptions will be used to determine if the prerequisite is met.

Prerequisites	Semester Hours	Equivalent ECU Course Numbers
Human Anatomy with Lab	4	BIOL 2140 and 2141
Human Physiology with Lab	4	BIOL 2150 and 2151
Statistics	3	MATH 2283 or BIOS 1500 or MATH 2283 or PSYC 2101
Developmental Psychology or other course with a focus on human development across the lifespan	3	PSYC 3206
Abnormal Psychology	3	PSYC 4375
Reasoning course as philosophy, logic, ethics method or research inquiry in a social science	3	PHIL 1100 or PHIL 1500 or PHIL 1175 or PHIL 1180 or PHIL 2275
Introduction to Sociology OR Introduction to Anthropology	3	SOCI 2110 or ANTH 1000 or ANTH 2200
Exploring Occupational Therapy	3	OCCT 3000
Medical Terminology or demonstrate proficiency in medical terminology by passing an exam.	2	HIMA 3000 or ATEP 2800
TOTAL	28

Process

Your application is submitted to the Graduate School. When it is complete (application form, GRE scores, official transcripts, purpose statement and two references), it is sent to the Department of Occupational Therapy for consideration. IMPORTANT: All parts of the application for the OT program including transcripts must be sent directly to Graduate Admissions.  Please do not send transcripts to the Department of OT.

Application Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional association or provide evidence that a baccalaureate degree will be conferred before the start of the program in the fall.
• Applicants from colleges and universities other than East Carolina University must include course descriptions with the application or email them directly to the department’s Admissions Director at veldeb@ecu.edu.
• An overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from undergraduate work.
• Satisfactory scores on the verbal and quantitative test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
• Acceptable TOEFL or TSL scores for non-English speaking foreign students.
• Submission of the Graduate School application package including:
• • statement of purpose
  • 2 references letters
  • official transcript(s)
  • resume
  • GRE scores.

The Graduate School application is a self-managed application and applicants are responsible for completing the package, including the procedures regarding submission of GRE scores and transcripts. The application package is available from the Graduate School at (252) 328-6012 or through the Graduate School's website, http://www.ecu.edu/gradschool.

Statement of Purpose

As part of the application package, applicants will complete the "Statement of Purpose Form for Applicants" that is part of the Graduate School application. This essay should address the applicant’s: 1) expectations of East Carolina University, 2) expectations of the Occupational Therapy program, 3) personal qualifications including collegiate and/or personal accomplishments, and community activities that would provide evidence of the applicant's success in the graduate program in occupational therapy, and 4) academic and professional goals and 5) reasons for seeking an occupational therapy graduate degree. The narrative should be single-spaced on a single page.

References

The Department of Occupational Therapy requires only TWO letters of reference, not three as stated in the Graduate School application.

Resume

A resume should be submitted with the application.

Early Assurance Admission Program For Merit Scholars

Apply for an Academic Merit Scholarship

East Carolina University’s Merit Scholars who request Occupational Therapy as his or her major will be interviewed by the Occupational Therapy Department’s admission committee at the time of the Merit Scholar interviews. If accepted as an ECU Merit Scholar, they will be guaranteed admission into the master’s degree occupational therapy program.

Students who accept a position in this program must maintain certain academic standards and participate in various activities to remain eligible for their seat in the entering class. These requirements include:

A minimum GPA (both overall and prerequisite) of 3.5

Completion of all prerequisites and general education requirements as well as 90% of courses in their undergraduate major, by the end of the junior year

Required enrichment and service learning activities during all 3 years (leadership roles, volunteer work in the community, periodic advising sessions, etc.)

Exhibit an acceptable level of maturity, personal deportment, and commitment to the profession.

Students who remain eligible and interested will apply to the Graduate School and the Department of Occupational Therapy at the end of the fall semester of their junior year and will be exempt from the application fee and GRE requirements. Early assurance students who have complied with these requirements will receive a letter of acceptance to enter the program the fall of their senior year. Accepted early assurance students must maintain a 3.5 GPA in order to matriculate into the Occupational Therapy Program. While not legally binding, it is assumed and expected that students receiving an early assurance acceptance will not apply to other occupational therapy programs. Accepted students who fail to meet early admission requirements will be discontinued from the program and not eligible for early assured admission but may apply for regular admission upon completing an undergraduate degree.

NBCOT Certification Results for Professional Master's Degree Program

East Carolina University’s Department of Occupational Therapy’s admitted its first professional master’s degree students in 2002. This table summarizes the results of the certification exam for only graduate students, starting in 2004.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline for the program?
Application deadline to the Professional Master's (enter-level) Degree Path for the fall semester is March 31st. However, applicants are encouraged to apply by early spring for consideration in our space-limited program. Applicants for the post-professional path may apply and enter the program at any time.

How many students are accepted into the program?
Currently the Occupational Therapy Department is accepting up to 20 students per academic year in the Professional Master's (entry-level) Degree Path. Students enter the program in the fall of the year. Post-Professional students can be admitted any semester.

What is the difference between the entry-level master's path and a professional master's path in OT?
A Professional Master's (entry-level) Degree Path is for those students with a degree in a field other than occupational therapy. It prepares the student to enter into practice as an occupational therapist following completion of program requirements and the passing of the certification exam. A Post-Professional Master's degree is for current Occupational Therapists who seek to enhance their education to a Master's level.

How do I apply?
You can access the Graduate School admissions packet from the graduate school web site. The application can be completed on line or downloaded for completion.

What is the application deadline for the program?
Application deadline to the Professional Master's (entry level) Degree Path for the fall semester is March 31st. However, applicants are encouraged to apply early for consideration in our space-limited program. Applicants for the post-professional path may apply and enter the program at any time.

When can I apply?
Applications may be submitted beginning October 1st. Some early decisions are made on exceptional candidates. Most students may not have an acceptance notice until early spring.

How many references do I need?
You need 2 references. There is no requirement as to whom completes the reference, though typically someone who knows you as a employee and/or someone who can speak to your accomplishments as a person are appropriate. Undergraduate advisors in your major are also typical references.

Where do I send my application?
The application packet goes to the Graduate School. When it is complete, the Graduate School will send it to the Admissions Director for Occupational Therapy. You do not need to complete a separate application for the department. A complete application packet includes the application form, GRE scores, official transcripts, purpose statement, resume, and two references.

What happens after the Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee gets my application?
The Admissions Committee reviews the application and calculates scores on the following: GRE composite, GPA (cumulative), GPA (senior year), purpose statement and resume, and references. The committee reviews these and a recommendation is made to the Occupational Therapy faculty about admission.

How do you decide on admissions?
We base our decision on the total score you achieve on all the criteria listed: GRE Composite, GPA (cumulative), GPA (senior year), Purpose Statement and resume, and references.

What types of decisions can be made by the Occupational Therapy faculty?
The faculty can decide to immediately accept or deny. They can also decide to delay an application until more information is gathered.

What do I need to complete my Purpose Statement?
Make sure you read and follow the directions carefully. Each part needs to be addressed! The parts include 1) applicant's expectations of East Carolina University, 2) applicant’s expectations of the Occupational Therapy program, 3) applicant's personal qualifications including collegiate and/or personal accomplishments, and community activities that would provide evidence of the applicant's success in the graduate program in occupational therapy, and 4) applicant’s academic and professional goals and 5) why you are seeking an occupational therapy graduate degree. The narrative should be single-spaced on a single page.

Are there quotas in your program for in-state students? Out-of-state students?
No, any qualified, interested applicants are considered for admission.

What type of GPA is required for admission?
The Graduate School requires an applicant to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or a senior year GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale.

Does the program require applicants to take the GRE and what type of scores are required?
Admission to the Graduate School requires applicants to receive a competitive score on the required standardized test. At this time, only the verbal and quantitative scores are evaluated. A score of 1000 or better increases the likelihood of admission.

Do I need a bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy to apply to the entry-level master's program?
No a degree in Occupational Therapy is NOT required for the Professional Masters (entry level) Degree Path.

What type of degree is required for the entry-level master's program?
All applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year institution. Recommended majors: Health Services Management, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Child Development and Family Relations, Rehabilitation Studies, Biology, Recreation Therapy, Exercise Science, etc.

What are the required prerequisites?
Courses required for admission include: Human Anatomy and Physiology; Statistics; Medical Terminology; Developmental Psychology; Abnormal Psychology; Sociology OR Anthropology; Philosophy, Logic or a reasoning course; and Exploring Occupational Therapy.

How can I take the Exploring Occupational Therapy (OCCT 3000) course?
If you are currently completing your undergraduate degree at another university, you must apply to the ECU undergraduate program as a visiting student. For more information see http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/admissions/Visitors.cfm  

If you are a graduate of a university, you must apply to the ECU Graduate School as a non-degree seeking graduate student. For more information see http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/gradschool/applicationinfo.cfm#apply  

Once you are admitted under one of the above categories, you can register for OCCT 3000 using the online course registration process. OCCT 3000 is taught as a distance education course.

Do the prerequisite courses have to be completed prior to starting the program?
All prerequisite courses are required to be finished prior to starting the program. The Exploring Occupational Therapy class is offered as a face-to-face or distance education course fall, spring, and summer semesters. You can apply to the program while completing the prerequisites.

Do the prerequisite courses have to be completed at East Carolina University?
These courses can be taken at any college or university; however it is the applicant's responsibility to assure that the content is equivalent to the ECU courses.

When do I find out about the Department's decision?
We having a rolling admission policy and accept applications from October 1st until March 31st. Exceptional students will be admitted 3-4 weeks after their admission package is completed in the Graduate School and sent to the Occupational Therapy Department. Applicants may not get an answer about admission until early spring (March). Please contact the department if you have a question about your admission package.

What if I think a course I have taken meets one of your prerequisites, but I am not sure?
Always send a course description or syllabus for any course you are unsure of. Contact the Department of Occupational Therapy Director of Admissions for advice.

What is the difference between the entry-level master's path and a post-professional master's path in OT?
An entry-level master's degree is for those students with a degree in a field other than Occupational Therapy. It prepares the student to enter into practice as an Occupational Therapist following completion of program requirements and the passing of the certification exam. A Post-Professional Master's degree is for current Occupational Therapists who seek to enhance their education to a Master's level.

Why do you only offer a master's program and not a bachelor's program as well?
Occupational Therapy as a career is amidst some very exciting changes. New research, technological advancements, and the changes to the healthcare system have provided current occupational therapists with some new challenges. To address these issues, the accrediting body for occupational therapy has mandated that all programs be at a master's degree by the year 2007. Entry-level occupational therapists will not only be prepared for clinical settings, they will also be able to consult, advocate, and engage in research. A master's degree will prepare an OT to take on these evolving roles.

Does the program require any volunteer work?
Volunteer experience in a clinical setting is encouraged, but not required.

Can I work and go to school at the same time?
The curriculum is quite demanding and requires a student to devote a great deal of time to completing course assignments. It is NOT recommended that a student attempt to work while enrolled in the program on a full-time basis. For those who do wish to earn some income while studying, however, graduate assistantship positions are available throughout the university as well as within the Occupational Therapy Department.

How long is the full-time program? Do you have any scholarships available? How do I apply for these?
The Professional Master's (entry-level) program is 27 months, including summer. Information on scholarships is available through either the Graduate School or through the Occupational Therapy Department.

Can I transfer into your program from another university?
At this time, the program only allows for a transfer of undergraduate degrees and prerequisite courses from other universities and/or colleges; it is not established to transfer actively enrolled master's students in other institutions.

Does the program offer specialization in any areas of practice?
The entry-level master's program is designed to prepare graduates for practice in all practice settings. Occupational therapists should anticipate working with a variety of individuals of all ages and should be competent in all types of practice. The program focuses on teaching clinical reasoning skills and evidence based practice a therapist can use when approaching novice experiences. Through the selected master's project or thesis, a student can specialize in a particular area of practice.

What are the types of fieldwork required?
Two fieldwork experiences are required: Level I and Level II.
- Level I Fieldwork consists of two experiences. The first is one week (40 hours) in one setting and the second experience is once a week for five weeks. One of the two settings will be a setting with an occupational therapist on site. The other will be a community-based setting that may not have an occupational therapist as a supervisor. In one of the two settings, the student will be expected to lead a group session.
- Level II Fieldwork consists of two 12-week experiences in either a clinical or community setting. The student will be working full time in both of these settings.

Does the program require a thesis to be completed?
No, a student can choose to complete a thesis or a selected group based master's project.