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.
Research Experience in Psychology (PSY 100)
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 101; ST IP)
Cell Biology and Genetics with lab (BIO 201; SD IP)
Inquiry (INQ 111; FYP)
Speech or Writing (SPE 111 or WRI 111; FYP)
Westminster 101 (WST 101; FYP)
Research Experience in Psychology (PSY 100)
Organismal Biology and Ecology (BIO 202)
Foundations of Physics with lab (PHY 141)
Speech or Writing (SPE 111 or WRI 111; FYP)
Principles of Sociology (SOC 101)
Experimental Design and Statistics (PSY 201)
Principles of Learning (PSY 281)
Calculus 1 (MTH 150; QR IP)
Foreign Language at 201-level (FL IP)
Behavioral Neuroscience (NS 341)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 401)
Cluster Course Elective (CC with HC or VP IP)
Cluster Course Elective (CC)
Critical Thinking and Writing in Psychology (PSY 300)
Assessment with lab (PSY 301)
Adulthood and Aging (PSY 291)
Biomedical Ethics (PHI 240; RP IP)
Elective Course
Abnormal Child Development (PSY 431)
Senior Psychology Scholarship Experience (PSY 600)
Visual or Performing Arts or Humanities Elective (HC or VP IP)
Elective Course
Internship - Summer (PSY 590)
For More Information
Please contact the Chair of the Department of Psychology, Dr. Deanne Buffalari, buffald@westminster.edu.