ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. GPA: Our requirement for overall GPA and prerequisite GPA is 3.0.  Although we do look at the entire application packet, please be aware that if your GPA is below 3.0, we will not be able to consider you for admission.  Be aware that your GPA for the prerequisite courses is weighed more heavily than your overall GPA.  If you have not done well in any course, you may want to consider retaking it.

2. Departmental Interview:  You need to meet all admission requirements to be considered for an interview. Not all applicants will be interviewed.  Interviews are typically held February – early April.

3. Letters of reference:  Three letters of reference are required. These letters should be from individuals that know you well enough to speak about you on a professional level, particularly your work and/or study habits, initiative, ability to work as part of team player and your level of commitment.  It is not expected that all letters have this level of depth. These letters should be in a sealed envelope with the signature of the person providing the reference across the seal of the envelope. 

4. Documented observation time: You are required to observe and provide documentation of a minimum of 40 hours of occupational therapy services. The observation hours should be documented and signed by the therapist, preferably on the letterhead of the facility. We recommend that you do your observation in more than one area of practice.

click here for POTENTIAL OBSERVATION SITES

5. PREREQUISITES

Prerequisite courses may not be waived as they are mandated by our accrediting body, ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education).  We can waive the possibility of retaking a prerequisite course that has not been taken within 5 years) of application ONLY if you can demonstrate that you have actively used the course material routinely as part of your current employment. (This applies to Lifespan Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology and Anatomy & Physiology courses). All other prerequisites do not have a time constraint and require only that you have taken the course.

Prerequisite courses can be taken at any accredited college or university within the United States AS LONG AS THE COURSE MEETS OUR ADMISSION REQUIREMENT, WHICH MEANS THE COURSE MUST COVER THE SAME MATERIAL AS THE PREREQUISTE COURSE LISTED BELOW AND OFFERED AT KEAN.  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE THE COURSE MEETS OUR REQUIREMENTS.

There are course descriptions for courses offered at Kean on the university website. You need to visit the department page in which the courses are offered. Please note that there is a website which discusses transfer of course credit within New Jersey state college system which includes the community colleges. This website is: www.njtransfer.org

Prerequisite Courses:

General Psychology (PSY 1000): This course can be found in most college curriculums and may be called intro to psychology as well. Lifespan Developmental Psychology(PSY 3110) which covers the entire lifespan. Some colleges offer developmental psychology which may cover childhood through adolescence. That course does not meet the requirement. You would need to supplement that course with an adult or adult and aging psychology course.

Psychological Statistics(3200) is offered at most colleges.
Abnormal Psychology(PSY 3540) is offered at many colleges and is sometimes titled Psychopathology. Introduction to Sociology(SOC 1000)  or Cultural Anthropology(ANTH 1800) cannot be met by a different type of sociology course such as sociology of women. You must take a sociology course which offers an overview or introduction to the subject or cultural anthropology.

Anatomy and Physiology I and II are offered at most colleges. Be advised that these courses are often very quickly filled.  (BIO 1000 and BIO 2402 meet the requirement at Kean, otherwise you need A&P I and II) Essentials of chemistry w/lab (CHEM 1030) is required ONLY if you are applying to the dual degree program.

Please note: The GRE is no longer a requirement for admission.

Sonia Moorehead, Admissions Chairperson