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Application Process

The UNC Master of Science program in Occupational Therapy uses the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). OTCAS is a program of the American Occupational Therapy Association that allows prospective students to use one application system to apply to multiple participating OT programs (Centralized Application Service for OT & OTA Programs | AOTA). Each program customizes OTCAS to include application materials and requirements for their program,

After submission of the OTCAS application, prospective students must also complete a (brief) supplemental application to the UNC Graduate School. This is because applicants must be accepted not only by the MSOT program itself, but also by the Graduate School. Therefore, the Graduate School will contact all applicants a few days after they submit their OTCAS Application.  Applicants must pay the UNC Graduate School application fee ($95) as well as the OTCAS fee ($150 for the first program and $65 for each additional program).

In addition to the information required for all schools in the OTCAS system, UNC MSOT admissions requirements include:

  • 7 academic prerequisite courses (do not all have to be completed at the time of application).
  • 1 prerequisite “Occupation” learning experience (does not have to be taken for a grade)
  • Submission of a resume or CV
  • Submission of a reflective essay (400 word limit) related to the “Occupation” prerequisite
  • Response to 4 short answer questions.
  • 3 letters of recommendation (1 must be from an OT or OTA practitioner)
  • Record of Experience with OT (this also is in the “Documents” section of Program Materials in OTCAS.)

For more details about the application requirements, please click here.

NOTE: All students enrolled in the MSOT program must take required coursework within the UNC MSOT program; transfer of credits from other OT programs is not permitted.

Admissions Timeline

  • Application system opens late July 2026.
  • Deadline for OTCAS Application to start the program in 2027 is TBD (mid-late October 2026).
  • Deadline for the UNC Graduate School application is TBD (early November) at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. No exceptions can be made to this deadline.
  • You must FIRST submit your OTCAS application. Once that is complete, your OTCAS application is uploaded to the UNC Graduate School application platform (Slate ApplyNow). The Graduate School will contact you directly by email with instructions about how to complete the items they require. You are advised NOT to wait until the last day to submit either the OTCAS or the UNC Graduate School application!
  • Initial application review will be completed by early January; all applicants are notified, with 50-60 applicants being invited to interview.
  • Interviews are completed (in person or via Zoom, depending on circumstances) in late January-early February.
  • Offers of admission and waitlist extended on or before February 15, 2026. All interviewees are notified at the same time.
  • In accordance with state law, the University of North Carolina provides admissions deferments to members of the military and their spouses.
    • Reserved Armed Forces: two-year minimum deferment period
    • Active Duty Armed Forces: five-year minimum deferment period
    • Students must request a deferment at least 30 days prior to enrollment
    • No applicant will be denied admission to the University solely based on military service or the intent to enter military service.