ADMISSIONS CRITERIA | Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Application: Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)
OTCAS 2026 - 2027 application cycle opens: July 2026
Deadline to submit OTCAS application: October 15, 2026
Classes begin: May 24, 2027

Residency

Preference will be given to Louisiana residents. Information regarding establishing LA residency may be obtained by the Office of the Registrar or on the registrar's website. 

MINIMUM ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

The following are the minimum admission requirements for application to the Occupational Therapy Program for the 2026-2027 application cycle: 

1. Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university by the first day of class in the OT Program, unless enrolled in the LSUA 3+3 degree pathway.
2. Minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA (4.0 scale) by the application deadline. 
   • Pass/fail grades will be accepted for non-prerequisite courses for the Spring 2020 semester only
3. Minimum 3.2 GPA in required pre-requisite courses (4.0 scale) by the application deadline. 
4. Grade of “C” or better in required pre-requisite courses from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university by the first day of class in the OT Program (see required courses below).
   • Limited grade forgiveness is available for repeated prerequisite coursework and is applied at the discretion of the admissions committee.
   • Applicants are encouraged to complete the majority of prerequisite coursework prior to applying, as prerequisite GPA is a key consideration in admission decisions.
     Required Pre-requisite Courses:
     • Human Anatomy/Lab (4 credits)
     • Human Physiology (3 credits)
       A&P I and II with corresponding labs (8 credits) may be substituted for Human Anatomy/Lab and Human Physiology
     • Neuroscience or Neuroanatomy (3 credits)
     • Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
     • Developmental Psychology (lifespan) (3 credits)
     • Inferential Statistics (3 credits)
     • Technical Writing (3 credits)
     • Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
5. Observation Hours: Applicants must complete one of the following:
   1. Complete a minimum of 40 observation hours and document them in the Experiences section on the OTCAS application. The occupational therapy areas of practice MUST include:
      • 20 hours in a pediatric setting under one pediatric LOTR, and
      • 20 hours in an adult inpatient rehabilitation setting under one adult rehabilitation LOTR.
      • For observation hours, each LOTR you observed must submit an evaluation on your behalf via the OTCAS Evaluation Portal.
   2. Complete the Online Shadowing Program and upload the certificate of completion to the Documents section of the OTCAS application.

*Additional Notes on Prerequisite Requirements: 

• In response to the COVID-19, pass/fail grades will be accepted for non-prerequisite courses for the Spring 2020 semester only. At this time, we are not accepting pass/fail grades for prerequisite courses.
• Due to the wide variety of experiential learning that can occur prior to admission, the LSU Health Shreveport OTD program does not waive prerequisite coursework. For the same reason, the LSU Health Shreveport OTD program does not award credit or advanced placement for previous coursework or experiential learning; all coursework must be completed within the OTD curriculum without exception.

Please note:

Applicants to the OTD program are considered for admission on a competitive basis. Satisfaction of basic requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. The admissions committee considers overall grade-point average, pre-requisite grade-point average, and interview scores. The committee chooses those considered most qualified for the study and practice of occupational therapy.

While admission offers may be extended conditionally, any incomplete prerequisite coursework must be successfully completed prior to matriculation. Failure to meet prerequisite requirements may impact final admission decisions.

Accepted students are assigned a provisional admission status until meeting conditions outlined in the acceptance letter and completing pre-matriculation requirements set forth by the Office of the Registrar. As part of the pre-matriculation requirements, accepted students are required to pass a drug screen and criminal background check prior to matriculation. Offers of acceptance are contingent on passing both.

Other factors considered within the selection process

Life experience, which consists of:

• Leadership – official leadership position in an organization or a company.
• Work experience – working at least half time (20 hours/week) while a full time student or working full-time after graduation
• Participation in LSU Health Shreveport activities such as AHEAD, AHEC, HBCU days, OT Program Information sessions, Junior Achievement activities on campus, etc.
• Participation in a sanctioned collegiate sport at the varsity level
• Military service

We recognize that overcoming adversity fosters resilience, empathy, and personal growth – qualities essential in healthcare. Special consideration is given to applicants who have faced significant challenges, as these experiences demonstrate perseverance and the ability to navigate difficult circumstances.

Other considerations:
Prior applicant or designated as an alternate the prior admissions cycle.