Occupational therapy (OT) professionals work with people of all ages, helping them to adapt to their work and home environments following injury, illness or developmental or psychological impairment. Occupational therapy professionals play an active role in assisting people as they regain, develop and improve the skills necessary to live independent, productive and satisfying lives.
Dominican University students earn both a bachelor’s degree from Dominican University and a Master of Science in occupational therapy from Rush University through an accelerated five-year program.
Students complete all core curriculum, seminar (with exception of senior seminar) and general education requirements during their first three years at Dominican. During the third year, students apply to the Rush University occupational therapy program and, when accepted, begin graduate courses. These OT courses also satisfy the remainder of the undergraduate requirements at Dominican.
When the fourth year of study has been completed successfully, students are awarded a bachelor’s degree from Dominican University. Subsequent to an additional five quarters at Rush, students also receive a Master of Science degree in occupational therapy.

Admission Guidelines
1. A major in psychology or sociology
2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a
4.00 scale
3. Completion of the following courses:
• Biology 152 and Biology 252
• Psychology 290 and 291 or Sociology 361
and 362
• Sociology 110
• Psychology 215 or Education 300
• Psychology 220 and 225
• Two psychology electives (courses other than
the developmental sequence).
• For non-psychology majors Psychology 101 or 102 and 214 are strongly recommended.
4. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (taken within the
past five years);
5. Experience or familiarity with occupational therapy. This may include observation, volunteer work, clinical experience, fieldwork, internships or independent study; and

6. If selected as a candidate, the prospective student will be invited for an on-site visit and interview with a member of the Rush University faculty. Additionally, a writing sample will be requested.

It is important to note that student applications are evaluated on the strength of both academic performance and non-academic performance (i.e. work life, extracurricular activities and life experience).
All application materials must be completed by mid-January. Rush University courses begin in June.
Students may choose to complete their bachelor’s degree at Dominican University before applying for admission to Rush University. In this case, of course, the accelerated time frame for completion of the undergraduate and graduate degrees does not apply.
For additional information, contact the director of the occupational therapy program at Dominican University.