Plan Description
This is a program for those students who wish to pursue careers as occupational therapists. Completing this curriculum would enable students to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification examination which would then enable them to apply for licensure as a registered occupational therapist (OTR) in Nevada or other states.
For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.
Plan Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
(a) Graduate College Admission Requirements
- Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee.
- Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
- Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor’s degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits).
- All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.
- Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.
(b) Department Admission Requirements
Students applying to the OTD program must have an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited academic institution with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
The degree may be in any area of study as long as the student has successfully completed the following prerequisite coursework within the past 10-years with a grade of C or better:
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Biology (6 credits; human biology recommended) minimum BIO 189 and 190 or equivalent
- Human Anatomy & Physiology with labs (8 credits)
- General or Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
- Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
- Introductory Anthropology or Sociology (3 credits)
All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to admission into the program at the start of Summer term.
A minimum of 40 observation / volunteer hours OR enrollment in UNLV HSC 103.
Applicants to the program will submit a personal essay as part of the application.
Students will submit 3 letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a licensed occupational therapist that provided some of the observation hours.
Interviews (virtual or in-person) will be offered to qualified applicants.
Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.