Pre-Occupational Therapy Assistant

Students interested in completing the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Madison College must start by applying for admission to the program. Qualified applicants will be admitted in a pre-program status and should review the Start of Semester Checklist to guide you through your next steps in preparing for your first day of classes at Madison College.

After being admitted in a pre-program status, students are then selected for entry into core program courses through the Petition Process.

Applicants are responsible for submitting official high school transcripts, college transcripts, or test scores that show completion of the below requirements. Learn how to submit prior coursework that may transfer in and satisfy petition requirements. Coursework must be completed or in-progress before you can begin the petition process. See our Transcript page for information on submitting transcripts. View our Testing Services page for information on completing a test for admissions. 

Admission and petition requirements are subject to change; please review the requirements prior to submitting your application or petition.

This program petitions for entry into the following term:

Fall - Petition window opens on April 1 

Review the Petition Process for details on how and when to petition.

 

  • 1.

    Petition Workshop Requirement

    As soon as students are placed into a pre-program status, they will be added to a program-specific Petition Workshop via BlackBoard. This workshop is mandatory and will provide additional insight into the program as well as institutional resources and advisor support. Students must log into BlackBoard to review what is required for completion of the workshop.

  • 2.

    Prerequisite Requirements

    It is recommended that students complete prerequisite requirements first as they can improve success in and may be required to register for the course requirement.

    If fulfilling any of the prerequisite requirements with courses completed in high school, college, or at Madison College, a grade of C or better is required. A grade of C- will not be accepted.

    ALGEBRA

    Students must demonstrate algebra competency in one of the following ways:

    1. Test Scores: Minimum test score within four years (2025-2026 applicants = September 1, 2021 to present)

    • ACT Math 20+
    • ACCUPLACER NextGen Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra and Statistics 237+

    2. Courses: Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:

    • Elementary Algebra with Apps (10834110)
    • College Math (10804107)
    • Mathematical Reasoning (10804134)
    • Applied Math for Chemistry (77854756)

    3. Educational Experience

    • Bachelor's degree or higher in a related biological science

    CHEMISTRY

    Students must demonstrate chemistry competency in one of the following ways:

    1. One year of high school chemistry with lab components; high school chemistry classes must be college-preparatory

    2. One semester of college-level chemistry with lab components. Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:

    • General Chemistry (10806134)

    BIOLOGY

    Students must demonstrate biology competency in one of the following ways:

    1. One year of high school biology with lab components

    2. One semester of college-level biology with lab components. Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:

    • General Anatomy and Physiology (10806177) 

    ENGLISH AND READING

    Students must demonstrate English and reading competency in one of the following ways:

    1. Test Scores: Minimum test score within four years (2025-2026 applicants = September 1, 2021 to present)

    • English competency – Students may demonstrate English competency in one of the following ways:
      • ACT English 17+
      • ACCUPLACER NextGen Writing 260+
         
    • Reading Competency - Students may demonstrate the Reading competency in one of the following ways:
       
      • ACT Reading 19+
      • ACCUPLACER NextGen Reading 261+

    2. Courses: Madison College courses that satisfy this requirement are:

    • Written Communication (10801195) 
    • English 1 (20801201) 
    • Intro Reading and Study Skills (10838105) and Intro to College Writing (10831103)

    3. Educational Experience

    • Bachelor's degree or higher
  • 3.

    Course Requirements

    After completing the prerequisite requirements, students should complete the course requirements. Completion of the prerequisite and course requirements can improve success in the testing requirement.

    A grade of C or better is required, and a grade of C- will not be accepted.

    • General Anatomy and Physiology (10806177)
    • Written Communication (10801195) or English 1 (20801201) 
    • Introduction to Psychology (10809198 or 20809231)
  • 4.

    Petition and After Petitioning

    Your Degree Progress Report will determine if you have met the petition requirements. Completion will be identified by transfer credit, test scores, final grades, or an in-progress enrollment status. Once you are eligible and ready to begin core program courses, you must petition for your program.

    If awarded a seat, you will receive instructions regarding the below required items. If you do not complete the required items, it may result in losing your seat and starting the application process from the beginning.

    • Completion of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Orientation course in Blackboard, including enrollment in CastleBranch to provide documentation of health requirements.
    • Background Information Disclosure Form (Criminal Background Check). An acceptable background check is required prior to starting clinical courses. Instructions are included in CastleBranch.
    • Enrollment in core program courses. Students who are awarded a seat are expected to start the core program courses for the awarded term. Students who choose not to begin the core program courses or are not able to begin core program courses may be discontinued from pre-program status.