OT Early Assurance Program

Two OT students working together in classroom

The University of Minnesota Program in Occupational Therapy offers an Early Assurance Program in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Morris and Rochester system campuses and the Twin Cities campus (kinesiology major only).

About the program

The University of Minnesota Early Assurance Program provides an opportunity for highly-qualified students to receive conditional admission to the OTD program at the top ranked University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.

For students with a clear goal to pursue an OTD, the Early Assurance Program can reduce the stress of the OTD application process and provide extra support and preparation for successful matriculation into the OTD program. Benefits include:

  • Conditional admission to the OTD program, pending completion of program entry requirements.
  • Access to occupational therapy advising to assist with course and extracurricular planning.
  • Access to faculty and graduate student mentors.
  • Special workshops on topics such as occupational therapy career exploration, study skills, and other OTD topics.
  • Invitations to OTD community events.
  • OTCAS application fee waiver in the year of application to the OTD program.

There are two pathways for this program, one for students who are applying for admission to one of the University of Minnesota campuses as an undergraduate student and one for students who are already enrolled as an undergraduate student.

How to apply to the Early Assurance Program

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Incoming College Students

High school students or transfer students applying to the University of Minnesota Morris, or Rochester campuses. Following admission to the Early Assurance program, students have up to four years to fulfill the program entry requirements.

  • Apply through the undergraduate application process by December 1, 2024:
  • University of Minnesota: Morris
  • University of Minnesota: Rochester
  • When applying, students should indicate “pre-occupational therapy” and respond to the short answer questions specific to this program.
  • Students will be reviewed for the early assurance program.
  • Students will submit a simplified OTCAS application and complete an affirmation interview one year prior to OTD entry.

Current College Students

This program is only available to current students at the Morris and Rochester campuses, and newly declared Kinesiology majors at the Twin Cities campus.

  • Students are recommended to apply for this program before completing 60 credits at their current institution (including transfer credits).
  • Please submit this application and we will be in touch!
    • The application is due by December 15, 2024 for Rochester and Morris applicants
    • The application is due by January 21, 2025 for UMTC Kinesiology applicants.
       

Entry requirements

Students complete their undergraduate degree at their system campus, working with their Success Coach or Advisor to ensure completion of all requirements for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program, which include:

  • Successfully completing their bachelor’s degree requirements.
  • Completing all OTD program prerequisite courses (that were required at the time of admission) at their current institution with a minimum grade of B-; with permission, up to a maximum of 2 courses can be taken at another institution.
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Maintain a full-time course load each semester.
  • Meet once per semester with a pre-occupational therapy advisor.
  • Submit a simplified OTCAS application by November 1 in the year prior to entering the OTD program.

After graduating from their institution, students complete their Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree in three years at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.

Questions?

Contact Caitlyn Nygaard, PharmD Recruiting Coordinator, at caitlyn@d.umn.edu.