University of Kansas

Johnson County Community College Transfer Program to the University of Kansas Hannah Schuh, M.S.
School of Health Professions 913-588-7195
Pre-Occupational Therapy (Doctorate Program) hschuh@kumc.edu
Academic Year 2025-2026 https://www.kumc.edu/school-of-health-professions/academics/departments/occupational-therapy-education/academics/entry-level-otd.html

Program Description 

  • The University of Kansas Entry-Level Doctorate in Occupational Therapy degree program is consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation, KUMC OTE trains leaders in occupational therapy.
  • The University of Kansas Entry-Level Doctorate in Occupational Therapy degree program is a full-time, three-year course of study located on the KU Medical Center campus; it includes academic coursework, fieldwork education, and doctoral experiential components.
  • This program has been designed to provide students with skills necessary to work as an Occupational Therapist in a range of possible settings. Upon completion of this course of study, students will be eligible for the national OT certification examination.

Admission Requirement

  •  Applicants must possess a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.2 on a 4.0 scale for their bachelor's degree program and specifically a 3.0 GPA on all prerequisite course requirements. The information documented on student transcripts will be used to calculate all grade point averages. Consistent with University of Kansas policy, the admissions committee will replace grades of classes that have been repeated. AP courses and grades are not considered for prerequisite requirements.

    • A background check is required during the admission process; it may affect the student's eligibility to enter the program. This one-time fee must be paid directly to the company performing the background investigation. Visit the School of Health Professions background check policy for more information.

    • As part of the online application, applicants will submit a personal statement describing why occupational therapy is their chosen career, and how a degree in OT will support the applicant's personal and professional goals. This statement should include an explanation of how personal, professional, and educational background and experience has prepared the applicant for this career decision and a future in occupational therapy.

    •All applicants must submit three separate references, and they should be written by a professional, advisor, instructor, supervisor, coach or other adult contact who can attest to the applicant’s potential success in the program and future contributions to the occupational therapy profession.

    • All accepted students must submit copies of current, valid CPR certification prior to the program start date and maintain certification while in the program. Students need to complete the Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers training through the American Heart Association.

    • In addition, student must provide proof of current health insurance coverage before entering the program.

    • Applicants who have been convicted of a felony should be aware that application for licensure, certification, or registration will be subject to review and additional information may be requested. Based on the review process, denial of licensure, certification, and/or registration may occur and subsequent opportunities for employment may be compromised.

    • Please visit the OTDE website for more in-depth information about the curriculum, application process, and other important details.

    Students must also complete a Bachelor’s degree of their choosing.  Students completing the Bachelor’s degree from KU must complete the KU Core 34 Requirements. Students that complete the general education requirements for the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) or Associate of Science (AS) at JCCC satisfy KU Core 34 general education curriculum.

    Students who transfer to KU, without completing the General Education requirements required for the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree will have courses evaluated on a course-by-course basis toward meeting KU requirements. To learn more about courses that satisfy KU Core 34 Requirements and KU CredTran. 

    Visit the KU’s Core 34 General Education Guide for JCCC equivalents.

    The table below indicates which KU Core 34 requirements are met by completing the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Prerequisites. A passing grade of “C” or higher is required in all prerequisite courses and an overall 3.0 (4.0 scale) GPA for prerequisite courses.  

KU Core 34 (Occupational Therapy Prerequisites)

JCCC
KU
Course CodeCourse TitleCourse HoursTransfer CodeTransfer TitleTransfer Hours
KU Core 34 Natural and Physical Sciences (lab required)
Select one of the following:
BIOL 140
Human Anatomy ^4 BIOL 240 Fundamentals of Human Anatomy AND BIOL 241 Human Anatomy Observation Lab
BIOL 144
Human Anatomy and Physiology* ^5 BIOL 240 Fundamentals of Human Anatomy AND BIOL 241 Human Anatomy Observation Lab
BIOL 225Human Physiology* ^4BIOL 246Principles of Human Physiology3
KU Core 34 Math and Statistics
Select one of the following:
MATH 201
Statistics* 3MATH 365Elementary Statistics3
PSYC 210
Research Methods in Psychology* **3PSYC 200Research Methods in Psychology3
KU Core 34 Social and Behavioral Sciences
Visit the KU Core 34 Social and Behavioral Sciences for JCCC equivalents. (Select one course in a different discipline than PSYC 218.) 3
PSYC 218Human Development* 3 Lifespan Development
KU Core 34 Arts and Humanities
PHIL 143Ethics 3PHIL 160Introduction to Ethics3
Only applies as an Occupational Therapy prerequisite and not KU Core 34
HC 130Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professions 3 Medical Terminology

Remaining KU Bachelor’s Degree Core 34 Requirements

Note: Students should meet with their JCCC advisor to determine additional JCCC courses that will transfer to KU toward completing the remaining KU Core 34 requirements and/or major requirements of the chosen KU Bachelor’s degree.  Depending on the major, some Core 34 requirements will be met at KU with courses required for the major.  

Visit the KU Core 34 English for JCCC equivalents. (two courses)6
Visit the KU Core 34 Communications for JCCC equivalents.3
Visit the KU Core 34 Arts and Humanities for JCCC equivalents. (must be in a different discipline than PHIL 160)3
Visit the KU Core 34 US Culture for JCCC equivalents. Institutionally Designated3
Visit the KU Core 34 Global Culture for JCCC equivalents. Institutionally Designated3
*

JCCC course with registration requirements. 

**

Starting 2026-2027 admissions cycle, our prerequisite requirement for Statistics will be replaced with Research Methods ONLY. If you have already been working toward completing our current prerequisites, we will offer flexibility during this transition through the 2027 cycle. Applicants who complete both Statistics and Research Methods due to this transition will likely be well-prepared and may have an advantage when engaging with research and scholarship content in our curriculum. 

^

A single, combined human anatomy and physiology course may be substituted for the human anatomy and physiology requirement as long as it is at least eight hours and includes a lab.  

 

Core 34: Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement and Arts & Humanities requirement requires two courses from two different disciplines. 

Last Approved Thu Jan 22 10:27:38 2026