Occupational Therapy Admissions | Colorado Mesa University

Attend a virtual information session to learn more about CMU's Occupational Therapy Program.

Next virtual information session: September 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM MT

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Application Deadlines

Priority Deadline – September 30, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.

Regular Deadline – December 31, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.

If you utilize the OTCAS Professional Transcript Entry, apply by August 31st.

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Get in Touch with the CMU MSOT Program Admissions Team

For questions about admissions requirements, email [email protected].

Questions about the application process:

Schedule an Appointment

Learn more about the CMU OT Program:

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Application

Application Requirements Overview

Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with transcripts received by June 30, 2027.
Prerequisite Coursework
- Full Listing Below
Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 or greater for the most recent 60 credits.
40 Observation Hours
Three Evaluations (Letters of Recommendation)
Personal Statement
Maverick Questionnaire
Application Fee An application fee of $50 paid to CMU is due at time of application.

CMU employs a holistic admissions process. It is highly recommended to complete the experiences section in the OTCAS application thoroughly. Please detail all work, volunteer, research, and leadership experiences from high school graduation to present. Some experiences may fall under multiple headings. Choose the option that is the best fit.

OTCAS is a web-based application system that allows you to submit a single application to multiple OT programs, while facilitating a streamlined admissions process for programs. The application includes a personal narrative essay and maverick questionnaire, which are assessed by the OT program’s admissions team.

APPLY HERE

Complete a minimum of 40 hours of shadowing (observing) under the direct supervision of a licensed occupational therapist (OT). Up to 20 hours of observation may be with a licensed occupational therapy assistant (OTA).

Observations must take place in at least two different settings (e.g., hospitals, schools, pediatric clinics, outpatient rehab, skilled nursing facilities, community settings). Observation hours may not be completed virtually, or as part of paid employment.

Applicants who work as an OT Assistant (OTA) are not required to complete the observation requirement of the application process.

All observation hours must be documented and signed by the supervising OT or OTA using the provided observation hours log provided below. Upload your observation hours to the OTCAS application under “Experiences.”

CMU OT Observation Hours Log

Upload three evaluations (letters of recommendation) to the OTCAS application from people who can attest to your character.

Letters should not be written by friends, family, or therapists who you shadowed for only brief periods. Instead, letters should be from supervisors, professors, coaches, and others who know you well and can speak to your character, work ethic, leadership, and professionalism.

Complete the “Transcript Entry” section in the OTCAS application using official copies of your transcripts.

Questions related to submission of transcripts should be directed to [email protected] or by calling 617-612-2860.

Answer all supplemental questions in the OTCAS application. Preference will be given to applicants who attended Colorado Mesa University, live in the state of Colorado, and are interested in living and working in Western Colorado. Complete the following supplemental questions in the Experiences section of the OTCAS application.

Health-related experiences
Employment
Internships
Clinical experiences
Leadership
Teaching
Research
Volunteer work
Community enrichment

Pay a $50 application fee to Colorado Mesa University at the time of application.

PAY APPLICATION FEE HERE

Prerequisite Coursework and Requirements

A minimum letter grade of C is required for each prerequisite course. Pass/no pass or AP credit are not accepted. If you completed a prerequisite course in 2020, spring 2021, or summer 2021, pass/no pass grades are accepted.
Applicants may have prerequisite courses outstanding at the time of submission, but all prerequisite transcripts must be received by CMU by June 30th, 2027.
All prerequisite courses must be taken at a regionally accredited U.S. higher education institution (including community colleges and accredited online programs).
Advanced Placement, experiential learning, or work experience does not fulfill any prerequisite. A certificate is accepted for medical terminology only.
Prerequisites must be completed between 2017-2027. Human Anatomy & Human Physiology prerequisites must be completed between 2022-2027.

Specific questions on qualifying courses should be submitted along with a course description to [email protected].

Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab

Minimum Credits: 3

Details: Completion of both Human Anatomy with Lab and Human Physiology will also fulfill this prerequisite requirement. Must be completed within 5 years of program start date.

Human Anatomy and Physiology II

Minimum Credits: 2

Details: Completion of both Human Anatomy with Lab and Human Physiology will also fulfill this prerequisite requirement. Must be completed within 5 years of program start date.

Abnormal Psychology

Minimum Credits: 2

Details: A broad and introductory course on abnormal psychology to help students become familiar and more comfortable with the phenomena of mental illness. Must be taken within 10 years of program start date.

Statistics

Minimum Credits: 2

Details: Any basic college-level statistics course. Must include both descriptive and inferential statistics, including hypothesis testing. A course in research design may be accepted if it includes these components. Must be taken within 10 years of program start date.

Developmental Psychology

Minimum Credits: 2

Details: Courses in human development or developmental psychology that cover physical, cognitive, and psychosocial human development. Must cover child and adult development and developmental theories. Must be taken within 10 years of program start date.

Medical Terminology

Minimum Credits: 1

Details: Basic medical terminology as applied to major systems of the body and related diseases. A certificate of completion from an online continuing education course is accepted. If a certificate is completed, upload in documents section.

Post-Application Process

Invitation to Interview

Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be invited to participate in a virtual interview. The program utilizes rolling interviews, where seats are filled on a first come, first served basis. All interviews are conducted by CMU OT faculty.

Post-Acceptance Requirements

Interviewees will be notified of acceptance decisions via email within one month of the interview.

A $750 non-refundable seat deposit is required once an admissions offer is accepted. The seat deposit will be applied towards tuition for the first semester of the program. Instructions for payment will be provided with the acceptance letter.

Candidates offered a seat in the program will need to pay fees to submit compliance documentation, beginning with a $70 fee to utilize Exxat Approve. Detailed information will be communicated to accepted candidates.

Overview of compliance documentation and fees:

Immunizations and Health Information Documentation
Current certification for BLS for Health Care Providers or CPR/AED that includes Pediatric and First Aid Certification (Cost varies)
Valid Driver's License
Certified Background Check ($69)
Drug Screen ($29)
Official Transcripts
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Student Membership ($78)
Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado (OTAC) Student Membership ($88)
Learner Liability Insurance

FAQs

A new cohorts begins every August.

The MSOT program cannot honor requests for deferment between offer of admission and matriculation.

Yes, you can submit the OTCAS application with coursework still in progress.

Official transcripts for outstanding prerequisite coursework must be received no later than June 30th, 2027.

No. The CMU MSOT program does not require the GRE.

International applicants with a degree earned outside the U.S. must meet the following criteria:

Submit your foreign degree coursework to a U.S. based evaluation service for a course-by-course US equivalency report. This report should then be sent directly to OTCAS from the evaluation service. Click here to learn more about foreign evaluation vendors used by OTCAS.
All required prerequisite courses must be taken at a regionally accredited U.S. higher education institution and be verifiable through official transcripts.
Applicants must communicate well in English as all course work is conducted in English.
TOEFL Exam Score: Minimum of 550 on the paper-based exam; minimum of 80 on the internet-based exam

Additional information about CMU international admissions requirements can be found HERE.

A felony may aﬀect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certiﬁcation examination or attain state licensure. Students are required to contact NBCOT directly if this condition applies. Any student who has concern about their potential eligibility for the certiﬁcation exam is encouraged to complete the Early Determination Review through the NBCOT.