Pre-Occupational Therapy Program

Westminster College and Chatham University

Up to two (2) currently enrolled Westminster students in the Pre-Occupational Therapy Program will be guaranteed acceptance into the Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ELOTD) program at Chatham University upon completion of the following criteria. Students may select either the 3+3 program or the 4+3 program. Upon the successful completion of all requirements, students in the program will attain a bachelor's degree from Westminster and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Chatham.

Students in the 3+3 program must complete their major and general education requirements (including Capstone/Senior Psychology Scholarship Experience) by the end of their junior year at Westminster College before transitioning to the ELOTD program at Chatham. See suggested schedule of Westminster courses for the 3+3 program.

For the Westminster portion of the 4+3 program, students will typically take the courses prescribed for the Psychology degree, Pre-Occupational Therapy Track, as described in the Westminster College Catalog.

All students who declare intent to complete ELOTD program at Chatham shall be advised by an assigned member of the faculty at Westminster. Students will also be assigned a Chatham faculty advisor in the ELOTD program. It is highly recommended that the students in the program meet with their Chatham faculty advisor (either in person, by phone, or by e-mail) during their sophomore or junior year.

Admission Requirements for Chatham's ELOTD Program (3+3 and 4+3)

Students must satisfactorily complete the following criteria at Westminster, prior to enrollment at Chatham University:

• A minimum of a grade of C in the pre-requisite courses (C- not accepted):
• Anatomy & Physiology I with lab
• Anatomy & Physiology II with lab
• Abnormal Psychology
• Statistics or Research Methods
• One course in Developmental Psychology or Lifespan Development. Alternatively, a combination of developmental psychology courses that cover the lifespan.
• Neuroscience (Optional)
• A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better on a scale of 4.0.
• A cumulative pre-requisite GPA of 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 with a minimum of 3 pre-requisite courses completed by the interview date (at least one of which must be a science pre-requisite).
• Successful interview and writing sample.
• Successful completion of all Chatham University early admission requirements, which include:
• Completion of the online application through Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Services (OTCAS), submitted by the early admissions deadline;
• Volunteer hours in an occupational therapy facility; and
• Three (3) letters of reference.

Note: Students pursuing this program should visit Chatham's website to verify current ELOTD admissions requirements.

Additionally, students who are not part of the programs described above will be guaranteed an interview for consideration of acceptance into the Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, if the following criteria are met:

• A minimum of a grade of C in each pre-requisite course listed above.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better on a scale of 4.0.
• A cumulative pre-requisite GPA of 3.2 or better on a scale of 4.0 with a minimum of 3 pre-requisite courses completed by the interview date (at least one of which must be a science pre-requisite).
• Successful completion of all Chatham University Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program admission requirements, which include:
• Completion of the online application through OTCAS, submitted by the admissions deadline;
• Volunteer hours in an occupational therapy facility; and
• Three (3) letters of reference.

Suggested Westminster Curriculum for the 3+3 Occupational Therapy Program

Students must succesfully earn 64 or more semester hours at Westminster prior to matriculating to Chatham's ELOTD program. The following is a sample schedule, though please note that an individual student's schedule may vary based on interests and the schedule of course offerings. First-Year Program (FYP) courses, Intellectual Perspectives (IP) courses, the Cluster Course (CC), which are Westminster graduation requirements, are indicated in italics.

For More Information

Please contact the Chair of the Department of Psychology, Dr. Deanne Buffalari, buffald@westminster.edu.