Industry Growth
Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 17% by 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Pre-Professional Pathway
Pre-Occupational Therapy Program
Pre-occupational therapy students prepare for success in graduate study and eventually a rewarding career as an occupational therapist.
At a Glance
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Offered as
Pre-Professional
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the Pre-Occupational Therapy Program
A pre-occupational therapy program is the first step toward becoming an occupational therapist. At Widener, this means choosing from more than 10 majors, ranging from biology and chemistry to mathematics and history. No matter which path you pursue, you’ll develop critical skills by taking classes in anatomy and physiology, physics, psychology, social science, and statistics.
Through special admissions programs, you'll gain a head start on graduate work through Widener's doctor of occupational therapy program.
ACOTE Accreditation
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
Program Options for Pre-Occupational Therapy Majors
Widener uniquely allows students to study pre-occupational therapy while exploring their interest in a separate major. Options include:
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Digital Media Informatics
- Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies
- History
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages: French & Spanish
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Visual and Performing Arts
These majors prepare students for careers in occupational therapy by providing deep insight into the human mind and body, as well as culture and history—knowledge that’s needed to treat clients holistically.
Regardless of major, all students will take the required science courses needed for success in doctoral study. The coursework in combination with the assistance of a pre-occupational therapy advisor prepares students for graduate study and an ultimate career in occupational therapy.
Incoming first-year students admitted into a 3+3 or 4+3 pre-OT pathway program have a preferred seat in Widener’s occupational therapy graduate program. Details of the preferred seat opportunity are provided to admitted pre-OT students.
Accelerated 3+3 Program
Incoming first-year students: Courses taken senior year at Widener count towards both fourth undergraduate year and their first year of the graduate degree.
Undergraduates who are admitted to the graduate occupational therapy program after their junior year are considered to be 3+3 students. The courses they take in their senior year count toward both their fourth undergraduate year and their first year of the graduate degree.
Applications for the graduate program are completed in the fall of junior year. A baccalaureate degree is conferred upon successful completion of the first year of graduate study. After successfully finishing the graduate program, students earn their doctor of occupational therapy degree.
This option is only available to students majoring in anthropology, visual and performing arts, psychology, or sociology. Students wishing to be considered for the 3+3 program must identify their interest by the end of their first undergraduate year.
4+3 Program
The 4+3 option allows students to complete all required courses for their academic major and all pre-requisite courses for the graduate program in four years. It provides a less intense class schedule for students as they finish undergraduate study in the traditional four-year span.
Applications for the graduate program are completed in the fall of senior year. Students who complete their undergraduate study at Widener will be given preference on admission to the graduate program.
Students in both the 3+3 and 4+3 programs must also provide documentation of at least 20 hours of observation in an occupational therapy facility under a licensed occupational therapist.
Career Outlook & Outcomes for Pre-OT Students
Why Study Pre-Occupational Therapy at Widener?
Develop Your Skills in Cutting-Edge Facilities
Widener is located just minutes from Philadelphia on a picturesque campus that features state-of-the-art classroom and clinical facilities, pairing an exceptional learning environment with access to the region's top health care networks.
Expand Your Network & Engage on Campus
Pre-occupational therapy students can join various clubs and organizations on and off campus to expand their network, including the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity and many more.
Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One
We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish. Your Personal Student Success Team—faculty and peer mentors and liaisons for campus resources—will make sure your first year runs smoothly.
Without skipping a beat, you’ll have what you need to make Widener your second home. And you’ll know how to invest in the greater community, from professional opportunities in Philadelphia to volunteer experiences in your new backyard.
Lean more about faculty mentorship
Explore resources for success and support
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process.
This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.
To transfer into an undergraduate engineering program, a minimum 2.5 GPA is required for consideration.
Additional Engineering Coursework Requirements:
- A grade of "C" or higher in calculus
- A grade of "C" or higher is required in one of the following courses (General Chemistry I, Physics I, or Biology*)
*Biology course requirement is only for Biomedical Engineering applicants - Applicants can still apply if they are in the process of completing one of the course requirements. You will just need to show successful completion of the course before matriculation.
Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.
Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator.
Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there!
Paths to Savings
95% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid
Nearly 100% of new students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.
The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.
Scholarships Start at $90,000 Over 4 Years
(including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)
Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.
4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition
In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.
Pre-Occupational Therapy Pathway
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Kapelski Learning Center, Room 209
- 610-499-4372
- wlwachterschutz@widener.edu