Louise Gilchrist, Coordinator
Phone: (540) 568-4982
Email: gilchrla@jmu.edu
Declaring Pre-Occupational Therapy (Admission Standards)
Incoming freshmen and transfer students can declare pre-OT without verification from PPH Advising. Current students can request declaration of the pre-OT minor (through MyMadison) but will need approval for the request to be granted. If the student has completed fewer than 9 hours of the prerequisite courses included in the minor the request will be granted after verification of course work. If the student has completed 9 hours or more of the prerequisite courses, the request will be granted only if the prerequisite GPA is 2.8 or greater.
Access to Pre-Occupational Therapy Advising (Progression Standards)
Once students have completed 9 hours of the prerequisite courses, they become subject to twice yearly review of their academic progress. Performance queries will be conducted after summer and fall semester grades are posted. If the review indicates successful progress (meeting the standard of a 2.8 prerequisite GPA), they will be invited to formal advising activities. Topics include learning about different OT programs, deciding where to apply and discussing fulfillment of non-academic requirements and recommendations (shadowing, volunteering). Assuming continued progress, students will reach the applicant stage (typically spring of the junior year), during which they will be invited to participate in application related activities.
Pre-OT students who fall below the standard of a 2.8 prerequisite GPA are at high risk of not being admitted to a OT program. Targeted advising for these students focuses on improving/developing academic skills as well as career exploration. If students fall below the standard in a subsequent performance review, they will be administratively dropped from the pre-OT minor. This action will not impede a student from applying to OT programs, nor will it have any impact on a student’s degree program as the pre-OT designation is not a major.
Students who wish to re-enter the pre-OT minor may do so as long as they meet the GPA standard (2.8 prerequisite GPA).
Additional Information
Pre-professional health programs do not ensure that all prerequisites for admission to health professions schools are met. Students should inquire with occupational therapy schools of interest, including JMU, to confirm details of admission requirements.
