Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the Occupational Therapy programs at Walsh University.
The fieldwork experiences within the program are critical to a strong education in occupational therapy. What is unique about the clinical experiences at Walsh?
Students will complete Level I fieldwork rotations during the 2nd, 3rd & 4th semester of coursework. These placements will follow a competency-based model, providing students with contact hours across various clinical sites. All students will rotate through these designated locations to develop targeted skills aligned. In the 5th & 6th semesters of the program, students will be completing Level II fieldwork which is full-time for 12 weeks each at 2 different placements (6 months total) with the expectation that the student will be at an entry-level at the completion of 24 weeks of Fieldwork II experiences.
What if I have past criminal convictions on my record?
Students should be aware background checks are required to complete fieldwork assignments. Past criminal convictions may prevent a student from completing the necessary fieldwork requirements based on site specific policies.
All students applying for the Occupational Therapy program should be aware that prior criminal convictions could affect the student's ability to obtain a license to practice in the State of Ohio and in other legal jurisdictions (states, districts, territories) in the United States upon graduation from the program. It is the student's responsibility to determine whether he or she is eligible for licensure as an occupational therapist in the state in which he or she wishes to practice.
Do I need to have a Bachelor's degree to apply and be admitted to Walsh University's occupational therapy program?
You do not need to have completed your degree to apply or be interviewed however, you must have completed your degree and all of the pre-requisite coursework prior to beginning the graduate OT coursework.
*Those with an OTA degree and at least 90 undergraduate credits do not need a Bachelor's degree.
Is there a time limit on when prerequisite courses must have been completed?
No, there is no time limit on prerequisite coursework. However, the pre-requisites are designed to provide the foundational knowledge needed for success in the Master of Occupational Therapy curriculum. Applicants should carefully evaluate how well previous coursework has prepared them for graduate-level study. If a previous was completed make years ago (for example, 10 years), applicants may wish to consider retaking the course to strengthen their knowledge and improve their readiness for the program.
How can I determine if a course at my institution will meet a specific pre-requisite requirement?
The Office of Graduate Admissions utilizes an equivalency chart to evaluate if your institution's courses meet the prerequisites. If you are concerned about a specific course, please reach out to ncole@walsh.edu. *We can also do a review of the course syllabus if it is not on the list.
How many observation hours are required?
Walsh OT requires 20 hours of observation in at least two different OT settings. You also must be supervised by a licensed occupational therapist, or occupational therapy assistant for the observation hours. All observation hours must be verified with a signature from a licensed occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant and include the name of the site. Please refer to our form for necessary components. If you are completing an internship with an occupational therapist as part of your undergraduate degree, you can count this toward one of your observation sites even if it is not complete prior to submitting your application (if you are completing two internships at two different sites, you may count both to fulfill the observation hour requirement).
If I am already a licensed occupational therapy assistant (OTA), do I need to complete the observation hour requirement?
No, if you successfully passed the OTA NBCOT exam, you do not need to complete the observation hours.
What should I major in for my undergraduate studies?
You may study and major in any area of interest to you as long as you have completed the pre-requisites coursework. Here at Walsh, the psychology pre-occupational therapy degree incorporates the pre-requisites into the curriculum.
Will coursework be held during the day or at night and on weekends?
All coursework will be held during the day. An occasional night or weekend requirement may be necessary but students will be notified in advance so arrangements can be made.
Can I work while I am enrolled in the OT program?
This is an intensive program and will require not only in-class time but also time to prepare for class and complete assignments. It is highly advised that you not work, however some students may choose to work part-time.
What are the required Academic Standards for the MOT program?
The Occupational Therapy program follows the Student Retention Policy in the OT Program Student manual, which outlines a stepped process of formative and summative assessment geared to ensure that students are informed of their academic standing and status in the program. Students who do not meet one or more of the primary academic standards may be given a warning and/or placed on probation with remediation as deemed appropriate prior to dismissal from the program.
Students must complete the didactic portion of their coursework within 36 months of admittance to the Master's of Occupational Therapy program and complete Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.
Do Walsh graduates receive special consideration for admittance?
Walsh graduates benefit from a dedicated pathway to admission into the Master of Occupational Therapy program. Qualified applicants may take advantage of the streamlined admissions process designed to support a seamless transition into graduate study.
Do I need to have all of my pre-requisite coursework completed prior to applying to the Walsh OT program?
No, you must have 3 of the 5 prerequisite courses completed prior to submitting your application.
Do I need to have all of my prerequisite coursework completed prior to matriculation into the OT program?
Yes, 5/5 Prerequisites are required to be completed prior to matriculation.