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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. 

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  1. Academics
  2. Undergraduate Degree Programs
  3. Pre-Occupational Therapy Program

At a Glance

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Pre-Professional

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On Campus

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Campus Location
  • Chester, PA

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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

ACOTE Accreditation

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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 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD  20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

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:

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

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

Why Study Pre-Occupational Therapy at Widener?

Occupational Therapy Pro-Bono Child

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.

Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.

When to Apply​

We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app. 

Key dates to keep in mind:​

  • October 1: FAFSA opens for the next academic year (Widener's school code is 003313)​
  • November 1: Early Action deadline and decision notifications begin​

What to Expect After Applying​

Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.

Learn more about the application process

If you apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:

  • Receiving your admissions decision by Thanksgiving
  • Early consideration for merit-based scholarships
  • Early notification of financial aid offers, including need-based awards
  • Priority enrollment for summer registration—where you sign up for classes!

All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!

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.

Learn more about applying as an international student
Learn more about life at Widener as an international student

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! 

Learn more about applying as a transfer student

Paths to Savings

Nearly 100% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid

Nearly 100% of new full-time undergraduate 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 $100,000 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.

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