Commemorating over 60 years of accreditation
Commemorating over 60 years of accreditation
We would like to thank you for considering Loma Linda University as you pursue your educational goals in Occupational Therapy. We are proud to have offered our occupational therapy program for over 60 years!
I was given many opportunities to create strong connections during my time in the OT program — connections with people (who have now become like family), colleagues, communities, God, and even established a deeper understanding of myself... all of which make me a better OT every day.
Visit our Mission, Philosophy, and Curriculum Design page to learn more about the unique aspects of our program.
The following downloadable PDFs include program information including admissions info, program prerequisites & requirements, student expectations, and tuition rates for our Occupational Therapy degree offerings.
Students attend year around with traditional holidays off. Students typically attend classes M-F during daytime hours. Courses change on a quarterly basis and the class schedules change quarterly. The EOTD program is primarily a “Face to Face” (F2F) program where students use the University’s Learning Management System, Canvas, to supplement the F2F learning experience. A few classes are offered via distance education (DE) through Canvas and incorporate best practices in DE, such as having substantial interaction between faculty and students, and incorporating active learning opportunities. The University has a Canvas tutorial in the student’s application registration portal with instructions on how to use the Learning Management System.
Clinical affiliations may require alternate scheduling which may include regular work hours and driving time. Additional time is needed for studying, group projects and other homework outside of class.
Get details on the standard cost of attendance at LLU. View Estimates
Financial Aid - The majority of students apply for loans to finance their education at our university. For more information, see the Financial Aid page.
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education granted us Candidacy Status to transition to an Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (EOTD) program. The first EOTD cohort began in Summer 2022. Visit ACOTE at School Directory – ACOTE (acoteonline.org) for more information.
Board pass rates will be available on the National Board for the Certification of Occupational Therapy at https://www.nbcot.org/educators-folder/schoolperformance in late 2025
Join us here at Loma Linda and be a part of a university dedicated to “Make Man Whole” and transform lives through occupation, service, and whole-person care.
See our school's Admissions page to apply to our EOTD Program.
The Occupational Therapy program at Loma Linda University uses the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). Applicants must first apply to OTCAS; please visit their website to create your OTCAS account.
Application Period: The OTCAS portal will open on mid-July and will close the first Monday of October.
Transcripts
All official transcripts must be sent directly to OTCAS, from your college/university, use the address below. Transcripts will not be accepted from you personally.
Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)
PO Box 9120
Watertown, MA 02471
Phone: 617-612-2860
Email: otcasinfo@otcas.org
Website: www.otcas.liaisoncas.com
International Transcripts:
Where to Submit Your Application:
Supplemental documents to be submitted to OTCAS
Loma Linda University Verification of Observation Experiences forms, and Reaction to Observation Experiences. Please submit forms for each OT setting that you observed.
If you took a medical terminology course that offered a certificate of completion, and was not for college credit, request the agency to send a copy of the certificate to the Department of Occupational Therapy (we will accept the agency’s email with the attached certificate or link to the certificate). Please request our approval of an online medical terminology course before taking it.
Personal Statement:
Please submit a personal statement as part of your OTCAS application, in the section of Supplemental Information, under Documents. Your personal statement should be no longer than 2 pages in length, and it is viewable by all programs you might have applied to.
Recommendations:
Three recommendations are required and shall include an occupational therapist, faculty, and employer.
Secondary Loma Linda University Application
Once your OTCAS application is verified, your documents will be released to Loma Linda University. You will receive an email from Admissions Processing of Loma Linda University, with the link to the secondary Loma Linda University application that you must complete and submit within 2 weeks. There is no additional fee for the Loma Linda University secondary application. You are not an official Loma Linda University applicant until your secondary application has been submitted.
Supplemental documents to Loma Linda University
Supplemental documents you wish to submit, such as resumé, or non-electronic letters of recommendation, may be emailed to the Department of Occupational Therapy at studyot@llu.edu.
Selection is based on a two part process. The first level involves a screening of recommendation letters, GPA, observation reactions, service, application essays, and volunteer experience in Occupational Therapy. Applications making it to the second level will be invited to a Zoom interview.
Number of acceptances per year: 40
Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.20
Minimum science GPA: 3.20
Upon satisfactory completion of the entry-level O.T.D degree—including completion of Level II fieldwork within twenty-four months following completion of academic preparation and upon recommendation of the faculty and the capstone experience and project—the graduate is eligible to take the national certification examination administered by The National Board for Certification for Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). The board offers computerized examinations on demand throughout the year.
Many states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. The American Occupational Therapy Association provides recognition essential to the practice of occupational therapy in the United States and most foreign countries. Information about qualifying examinations can be obtained at the office of the department chair.
When the graduate applies to write the certification examination with the NBCOT, he/she will be asked to answer questions related to the topic of felonies. Felony convictions may affect a candidate's ability to sit for the national certification examination or attain state licensure. For further information on these limitations, contact NBCOT One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878; or telephone (301) 990-7979. Graduates practicing in the state of California must acquire licensure from the California Board of Occupational Therapy. For further information, contact CBOT at (916) 263-2294; E-mail cbot@dca.ca.gov. The office address is 2005 Evergreen Street, Ste 2250, Sacramento, CA 95815-3831.
The application window opens mid-July and closes in March.
*It is recommended applicants apply early on in the enrollment period to be considered for the next available class. Applications must be complete in order to be reviewed and considered for acceptance.
Upon successful completion of the academic program and clinical rotations, the student is eligible to take the NBCOT certification exam. This exam is computer-based and is available throughout the year.
Upon satisfactory completion of the entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree—including completion of Level II fieldwork within twenty-four months following completion of academic preparation and upon recommendation of the faculty, and the Capstone Project and Experience, the graduate is eligible to take the national certification examination administered by The National Board for Certification for Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). The board offers computerized examinations on demand throughout the year.
Graduates will also need to apply for a state license to practice. The American Occupational Therapy Association and Accreditation Council provide recognition essential to the practice of occupational therapy in the United States and most foreign countries. Information about qualifying examinations can be obtained at the office of the department chair.
When the graduate applies to write the certification examination with the NBCOT, he/she will be asked to answer questions related to the topic of felonies. Felony convictions may affect a candidate's ability to sit for the national certification examination or attain state licensure. For further information on these limitations, contact NBCOT at One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878; or telephone (301) 990-7979. Email: info@nbcot.org. Graduates practicing in the state of California must acquire licensure from the California Board of Occupational Therapy. For further information, contact CBOT at (916) 263-2294; E-mail cbot@dca.ca.gov. The office address is 1610 Arden Way, Ste 121, Sacramento, CA 95815.
