Admission Requirements

There is no minimum grade point average that guarantees admission into the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. The candidates with the strongest academic records are admitted into the OTA program, so the mix of successful candidates changes from year to year depending on the number of candidates from each type of applicant group; first year, transfer, change of major and reenrollment. The minimum grade point average of successful candidates will also change from year to year depending on the strength of the pool of candidates’ academic records.

Currently, the Occupational Therapy Assistant program only admits students to begin in the program for the fall semester.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

FIRST YEAR STUDENT ADMISSIONS

First Year Overview and Requirements

First year students include those who have graduated from high school and have attempted fewer than 18 semester hours of college coursework at another college or university after high school graduation.

The minimum high school units required for admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program include four secondary units of English, two units of mathematics (including one unit of algebra), two units of science (one unit must be biology), and five units of arts, humanities, social studies, and/or foreign languages.

A high school diploma or equivalent (GED) and satisfactory Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or ACT scores (for those who have been out of high school five years or less) are also required. Although the minimum high school GPA required for admission is a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale), this does not guarantee admission into the program. 

The ranges in the chart below represent the middle 50 percent of first year students offered admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program for last year -- they are not cutoffs or averages. Placing in the upper end of both ranges increases the likelihood of being offered admission to the major. This chart in no way represents a promise or guarantee of admission.

High School GPA (on a 4.0 scale)

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Penn State DuBois - Middle 50%: 3.16 - 3.50

Combined SAT

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Penn State DuBois - Middle 50%: 1260 - 1410

How to Apply

Penn State encourages all applicants to submit their application online at http://admissions.psu.edu; however, paper applications are available from the admissions office and from many high schools. Once you have completed the online application, you should submit official high school transcripts or proof of equivalency and standardized test scores to the undergraduate admissions office.

TRANSFER STUDENT ADMISSIONS

Transfer Overview and Requirements

Transfer students are those students who have taken at least 18 credits of college coursework (beyond high school) at another college or university. Consideration for transfer admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is based on the following criteria:

 A cumulative collegiate grade-point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, computed in the manner used for Penn State students, is the minimum University requirement for admission consideration. In general, admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program often times requires a substantially higher cumulative grade-point average. The number of qualified applicants typically exceeds the number of available program spaces; therefore, satisfaction of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Good standing at institutions previously attended.
Attendance at a regionally accredited college or university.
A high school diploma or equivalent and completion of the high school units noted above.

The program is competitive, and applicants who submit their application to Penn State by November 30th will be given priority consideration. Applications received after November 30th will be reviewed on a space available basis.

In addition to a cumulate grade point average, it is recommended that a transfer applicant should have demonstrated successful completion of at least three (3) credits of natural science (preferably with a lab) and one (1) social science related course from another institution. These types of courses may include (but are not limited to) mammalian anatomy, physiology, chemistry, psychology, sociology, and other core biological, chemical, and social sciences. The admissions selection committee strives to select students who have demonstrated the potential to succeed in a rigorous, science oriented program of study.

There is never a guarantee that any course will transfer to Penn State until courses are formally evaluated at the time of admission. However, the Undergraduate Admissions Office provides an online course evaluation tool so that you can see courses from other institutions that have previously transferred to Penn State from schools across the United States and many parts of the world.

How to Apply

Penn State requires that all transfer applicants submit their application online

To expedite the review of your transfer application, submit your official transcripts from high school of graduation (or GED) and all postsecondary institutions to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. These official transcripts should be forwarded by you, to Penn State’s Undergraduate Admissions Office in the original, sealed envelopes provided by those schools. Standardized test scores are not required of transfer applicants.

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS FROM THE FOLLOWING GROUPS

CONDITIONAL TO DEGREE

NONDEGREE TO DEGREE 

NOTE: Conditional or non-degree students seeking admission as a degree candidate to the Penn State DuBois Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree program must complete at least 9 credits of Penn State course work with a minimum 2.0 average.

Overview and Requirements

Students who are currently attending Penn State and are now seeking degree status in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program must have completed a minimum of 9 credit hours and earned a cumulative Penn State grade-point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale as the minimum requirement for admission consideration. In general, admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program often times requires a substantially higher cumulative grade-point average. The number of qualified applicants typically exceeds the number of available program spaces; therefore, satisfaction of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

The program is competitive and new applicants to the program are reviewed annually in January. Therefore, students should submit an application to the Undergraduate Admissions Office (for conditional to degree and nondegree to degree students) by November 30th of the year PRIOR to when they wish to enter the Occupational Therapy Assistant program (i.e. November 30th 2012 for entrance to Occupational Therapy courses in fall 2013). Applications received after November 30th will be reviewed on a space available basis.

In addition to a cumulative grade point average, it is recommended that all conditional to degree and nondegree to degree applicants should have demonstrated successful completion of at least one (1) laboratory based biological and one (1) social science related course prior to the January review.

Biological and Life Sciences (choose at least one)

  • BIOL161 / BIOL162 Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIOL163 / BIOL164 Anatomy & Physiology II

 

Social and Behavioral Sciences (choose at least one)

  • PSYCH 100 General Psychology (3 cr)
  • HD FS 129 Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies (3 cr)

You should work with your current academic advisor to choose appropriate courses, however, it is recommended that you review the “recommended academic plan for Occupational Therapy Assistant program at DuBois” to help choose courses that will count toward the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

How to Apply

Penn State requires all students who are going from DUSC (Division of Undergraduate Studies Conditional) to degree status have to have completed 9 credits with at least a 2.0 GPA.  Students can request a change of major using the Update Academics tab under Degree Planning and Progression in LionPATH.  

Students who are going from nondegree to degree status should submit their application online at http://admissions.psu.edu  Once you have completed the online application, you should submit official high school transcripts (unless previously sent to the Undergraduate Admissions Office) or proof of equivalency to the undergraduate admissions office. Standardized test scores are not required of applicants from this category.

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION FOR RE-ENROLLMENT (FORMER PSU) STUDENTS

Overview and Requirements

Re-enrollment allows a former degree candidate (policy 58-00) to resume degree candidacy. Re-enrollment is appropriate if you:

Withdrew from the University
Interrupted continuous degree enrollment during fall/spring semester
Were dismissed or suspended for nonacademic reasons
Invalidated a leave of absence
Plan to return for a second associate or baccalaureate degree
Plan to return for graduation
Voluntarily changed your enrollment status to non-degree

Students who desire to re-enroll and were not previously enrolled in the DuBois OTA program must have a cumulative collegiate grade-point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale as the minimum University requirement for re-enrollment consideration. In general, re-enrollment to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program often times requires a substantially higher cumulative grade-point average. The number of qualified applicants typically exceeds the number of available program spaces; therefore, satisfaction of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

The program is competitive and applicants to the program are reviewed annually in January. Therefore, students should submit a re-enrollment application to the campus registrar by November 30th of the year PRIOR to when they wish to enter the Occupational Therapy Assistant program (i.e. November 30th 2012 for entrance to Occupational Therapy courses in fall 2013). Applications received after November 30th will be reviewed on a space available basis.

In addition to a cumulative grade point average, it is recommended that all re-enrollment applicants should have demonstrated successful completion of at least one (1) laboratory based biological and one (1) social science related course prior to the January review.

Biological and Life Sciences (choose at least one)

  • BIOL161 / BIOL162 Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIOL163 / BIOL164 Anatomy & Physiology II

Social and Behavioral Sciences (choose at least one)

  • PSYCH 100 General Psychology (3 cr)
  • HD FS 129 Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies (3 cr)

For those students who have previously attended the DuBois OTA program and wish to re-enroll, you must demonstrate you left the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at DuBois in good standing with at least a cumulative collegiate grade-point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. It is recommended that you discuss your re-enrollment intentions with the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Coordinator to determine any deficiencies you may have as well as your semester standing upon returning to the program. Your previous academic standing at Penn State, grade-point average, and a review of OTA relevant degree requirements completed while previously enrolled will be reviewed as part of the re-enrollment evaluation.

Applicants who submit their application to Penn State by November 30th will be given priority consideration. Applications received after November 30th will be reviewed on a space available basis.

How to Apply

  1. Complete the Undergraduate Re-enrollment Form and return it to the Penn State DuBois Registrar in the Swift Building you may mail the form to Registrar’s Office, Penn State DuBois, College Place, DuBois, PA 15801.
  2. A $20 non-refundable re-enrollment fee is required to initiate the request. You may pay by cash, check, or money order (payable to Penn State) at the finance office in Hiller Building. (NOTE: Returned checks due to insufficient funds will result in a service charge of $25.00.
  3. The campus Registrar will notify you of the decision regarding your request.

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS FROM THE FOLLOWING GROUPS:

CHANGE OF CAMPUS
CHANGE OF MAJOR
CHANGE OF MAJOR w/ CHANGE OF CAMPUS

Overview and Requirements (Change of Campus)

Students currently in a Occupational Therapy Assistant program at another Penn State campus and who wish to change campuses to DuBois will be considered based on availability of space and curriculum compatibility. The direct approval of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Coordinator at the DuBois campus will be required. Students who plan on changing from the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at DuBois to one of the other Penn State Occupational Therapy Assistant programs should contact the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Coordinator at the campus you wish to attend for information on the procedure to be followed.

Overview and Requirements (Change of Major)

Students who wish to change their major must have a cumulative collegiate grade-point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale as the minimum University requirement for change of major consideration. In general, change of major to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program oftentimes requires a substantially higher cumulative grade-point average. The number of qualified applicants typically exceeds the number of available program spaces; therefore, satisfaction of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

The program is competitive and applicants to the program are reviewed annually in January. Therefore, students should submit a change of major application to the campus registrar by November 30th of the year PRIOR to when they wish to enter the Occupational Therapy Assistant program (i.e. November 30th 2012 for entrance to Occupational Therapy courses in fall 2013). Applications received after November 30th will be reviewed on a space available basis.

In addition to a cumulative grade point average, it is recommended that all change of major applicants should have demonstrated successful completion of at least one (1) laboratory based biological and one (1) social science related course prior to the January review.

Biological and Life Sciences (choose at least one)

  • BIOL161 / BIOL162 Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIOL163 / BIOL164 Anatomy & Physiology II

Social and Behavioral Sciences (choose at least one)

  • PSYCH 100 General Psychology (3 cr)
  • HD FS 129 Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies (3 cr)

Overview and Requirements (Change of Major w/ Change of Campus)

Students who are at another Penn State campus and wish to change your campus location (from another Penn State Campus to DuBois) AND change your major (from another major to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Penn State DuBois) at the same time, should first follow the procedures for Change of Major students by contacting the Penn State DuBois registrar’s office, submitting your change of major form directly to Penn State DuBois and wait for a change of major decision from the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Coordinator at Penn State DuBois. If approved, the student will then need to initiate a request for change of campus location by contacting the campus registrar at their current campus location – not Penn State DuBois.

How to Apply as a Change of Campus OR Change of Major Student

To request a change of major, complete the Change of Major form and return it to the Penn State DuBois Registrar in Swift 244 OR you may mail the form to the Registrar's Office, Penn State DuBois, College Place, DuBois, PA 15801. 

If you requesting a change of campus AND a change of major, please follow step 1 FIRST.

The DuBois Registrar’s Office will notify all students if the application has been approved by the DuBois PTA Program Coordinator for change of campus and/or change of major.

If you are requesting a change of campus AND a change of major, once you have been notified by the DuBois Registrar’s Office that you change of major request has been approved, then you must initiate a change of campus location by contacting the campus registrar at your current campus location – not Penn State DuBois.