Application Timeline

  • For Program Starting: Fall 2027
  • All applicants must
  • OTCAS Application Portal Opens: July 17, 2026
  • Final Application Deadline: May 1, 2027
  • Admission decisions released: On a rolling basis after application completion

Application Checklist

An icon of a clipboard with paper that has three checkmarks

Use the checklist below to track each step of the application process for UNE’s M.S.O.T. Reviewing these requirements early will help you prepare a complete and competitive application.

Check to Make Sure You Meet the Necessary Academic Requirements

View the Academic Requirements for the Âé¶¹´«Ã½M.S.O.T., such as GPA and course prerequisites, to ensure you meet the necessary requirements.

Fill out an OTCAS Application

All applicants are required to apply to this program through the following pathways:

  • . Required for external applicants.

    • Submit all materials, including transcripts, recommendations, and other supporting material, through OTCAS.
    • In-progress or planned coursework must be entered into OTCAS. Complete an Academic Update, if applicable.

    or

    • The . Required for current Âé¶¹´«Ã½3+2 and 4+2 students only.
      • Submit all materials, including transcripts, recommendations, and other supporting materials, through the Âé¶¹´«Ã½Graduate Application.
      • Any updates should be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@une.edu.
Submit Transcripts

Applicants must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Transcripts must be submitted through (unless otherwise instructed).

Submit Observation Hours

Volunteer, shadowing, and/or work experience in a health- or human services-related setting is not required but it is highly recommended. All hours should be documented within the .

Submit a Personal Statement

Please refer to the for specific writing prompts and additional information.

Submit Letters of Recommendation
  • Two letters of recommendation are required — submitted through
    • Letters should come from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities and/or professional experiences.
  • Letters from friends or family members are not acceptable.

Academic Requirements

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Review the academic requirements for admission to UNE’s M.S.O.T., including degree expectations, GPA guidelines, prerequisite coursework, and requirements for international applicants.

Degree Requirement

Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution, or international equivalent, before matriculation.

GPA Expectations
  • UNE’s preferred minimum GPA is 3.0 for both overall and prerequisite coursework, though all applications are reviewed holistically.
  • Last 60 credit hour GPA is also considered during application review.
Prerequisite Policies
  • All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better (C- is not acceptable).
  • Science prerequisite coursework should be completed within 7 years of anticipated enrollment. Older coursework will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility.
  • Courses may be in-progress or planned at the time of application but must be completed before enrollment.
  • A maximum of six (6) Advanced Placement (AP) or equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) credits may be accepted as a substitute for Introduction to Psychology and English Composition prerequisite courses only.
  • Online prerequisite courses from regionally accredited institutions, including Âé¶¹´«Ã½Online, are accepted.
Prerequisite Coursework
Course SubjectCourse CreditsCourse Details
Anatomy & Physiology I or Human Anatomy4 semester or 6 quarter creditsLab required
Anatomy & Physiology II or Human Physiology4 semester or 6 quarter creditsLab required
Science3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits

College-level science course with lab is required to fulfill this requirement.

Any course subject listed in the attached Âé¶¹´«Ã½OT Subject List (PDF) is acceptable to fulfill this requirement. Survey courses will not satisfy this requirement.

Statistics3 semester or 4.5 quarter creditsBiology, Math, or Psychology-based statistics are all acceptable to fulfill this requirement.
Introduction to Psychology3 semester or 4.5 quarter creditsCollege-level course is required.
Abnormal Psychology3 semester or 4.5 quarter creditsCollege-level course is required.
Human Development3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits

Human Development course that covers the entire lifespan is required to fulfill this requirement.

Course must cover the entire lifespan from birth to death. Applicants wishing to use Developmental Psychology to fulfill this prerequisite must contact the program for approval prior to application submission.

Social Science3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits

Sociology is acceptable to fulfill this requirement.

Anthropology is acceptable to fulfill this requirement.

Acceptable courses should be focused on the study of society, human interactions/relationships, the structure and function of social institutions or organized groups, and culture.

English3 semester or 4.5 quarter credits

English Composition is acceptable to fulfill this requirement.

This requirement can also be met by taking a course identified as Writing-Intensive. Please note that if a writing-intensive course is being used to satisfy this requirement, the course description must clearly indicate that it is considered a writing-intensive course.

Recommended Coursework

  • Medical Terminology
  • Introduction to Occupational Therapy
  • APA 7th Edition formatting

International Applicants
International applicants or applicants with foreign coursework must also submit:

  • A credential evaluation from World Education Service (WES) or ECE, sent directly to OTCAS, confirming degree and grade equivalency to that of a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if English is not the applicant’s first language
  • Refer to UNE’s International Admissions and English Language Proficiency pages for accepted tests and minimum score requirements.
Two Âé¶¹´«Ã½occupational therapy students practice an adaptive dressing technique, with one student using a dressing stick to pull up pants while the other provides guidance and support during a skills lab.
A Âé¶¹´«Ã½occupational therapy student sets up a bean bag toss activity inside a hula hoop on a padded mat while a child sits on a platform swing during a pediatric sensory integration session.

What Happens After You Apply

  • The Office of Graduate Admissions will notify you of receipt of your application and any missing or pending items.
  • After reviewing for minimum requirements, applications are reviewed by the program for admissions decision.
  • Admissions decisions are released on a rolling basis after review.
  • Admitted students are required to submit a non-refundable enrollment deposit to secure their seat.

Before Attending — Compliance Requirements

Prior to matriculation, accepted and deposited students will be required to complete the following compliance requirements:

  • Submission of all outstanding requirements or conditions, such as final transcripts for degree or coursework verification.
  • Completion of physical examination with proof of up-to-date immunization status. Please refer to UNE’s Student Health Services for detailed information.
  • Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen prior to matriculation, as well as periodically throughout the program (as required by clinical affiliations).
  • All students must have the ability to meet the Academic and Technical Standards of the Occupational Therapy profession.

Visit and Events

There are no upcoming events at this time.
A tree-lined brick walkway on UNE's Portland campus quad in summer, with lamp post banners reading "Best 389 Colleges – The Princeton Review" and a historic red brick building in the background.

M.S.O.T. Admissions FAQ

How can I find out about the status of my application to UNE’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy?

You will receive an email confirming receipt of your verified application from the Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment. All communication from Graduate Admissions and Recruitment will be sent to the email address listed on your OTCAS application. If you wish to check the status of your application please email the Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment.

Does state residency play a role in admissions to UNE’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy?

There are no quotas for Maine or New England students. Prospective students from all geographic regions are encouraged to apply for admission.

Can I update or make changes to my M.S.O.T. application post-submission?

Yes, updates can be made post-submission. Experiences can be added, but edits of previously submitted information is not allowed. Coursework can be updated during the Academic Update Period from mid-December to mid-February.

I am reapplying to UNE’s M.S.O.T. What do I need to do?

Applicants reapplying to the Âé¶¹´«Ã½Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program need to resubmit all application materials for any new cycle in which they apply, including: primary CAS application, transcripts, letters of recommendation, written statements and responses, fees and payments, and any additional required documentation. Applicants should also actively update their experiences, extracurricular activities, clinical involvement, and volunteering each cycle as well, to reflect the most up-to-date engagement.

Contact Graduate Admissions

Portland Campus for the Health Sciences

Girard Innovation Hall, room 254
716 Stevens Ave.
Portland, ME
(207) 221-4225
gradadmissions@une.edu

Office Hours

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9 a.m.–4 p.m.

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Accreditation 

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Âé¶¹´«Ã½was initially accredited in 1985 and has been continuously accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) since that time. Our next accreditation visit will occur in the 2034/2035 academic year. ACOTE is located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, North Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, C/O AOTA is (301) 652-6611, and its web address is .

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 to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

NBCOT Exam Pass Rates and Graduation Rates

M.S. program graduates are eligible to take the certification examination administered by the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy. Learn more about the exam, Âé¶¹´«Ã½pass rates, and Âé¶¹´«Ã½graduation rates