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Program Menu
Admissions
Application
Application Opens
Fall 2026 term: August 1, 2025
Spring 2027 term: February 1, 2026
Application Closes
Fall 2025 term: August 15, 2025
Spring 2026 term: December 15, 2025
Application System
Apply to the degree or certificate program through the Graduate Centralized Application Service (GradCAS).
The application fee is $50 (U.S.) for the degree and/or the certificate application.
Application fee waivers are available for both applications, but availability is limited. Reach out to the enrollment specialist for more details.
Prerequisites
- Applicants who received their occupational therapy training within the United States must have an entry-level master’s degree in occupational therapy (e.g., MOT) from an Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)-accredited program, or a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy from an ACOTE-accredited program and a master’s degree in occupational therapy or another field of study.
- U.S. applicants are required to have initial NBCOT certification (or eligibility). International applicants must provide equivalent certification documentation from country of residence.
- Applicants who received their occupational therapy training outside of the United States must have an entry-level master’s degree in occupational therapy or a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy from an ACOTE-accredited program and a master’s degree in occupational therapy or another field of study from a World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT)-approved program and meet all necessary requirements for admission to the University of Pittsburgh.
- Transcripts from all U.S. colleges and universities attended. All admitted students will be required to provide official transcripts and/or credential evaluations to the SHRS Admissions Office prior to enrolling in classes.
NOTE: The GRE is not required.
Transcripts
Applicants are required to provide transcripts from all U.S. universities, colleges or other higher education institutions attended.
Admitted students will need to submit official transcripts to the SHRS Admissions Office prior to enrolling in classes.
Personal Statement
Evidence of graduate-level writing skills in an essay that outlines:
- Why you are interested in pursuing the Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy degree or Certificate in Implementation,
- Why you are interested in advancing your education through the University of Pittsburgh,
- What makes you a good fit for an advanced training education program that is delivered online,
- How your identity, background, or experiences to date have contributed to your motivation and preparation for this program and will impact your progress in it, and
- The future professional goals that you hope to achieve as a result of this advanced training.
Letters of Recommendation
Two (2) letters of recommendation should attest to your professional abilities and conduct, collegiality, oral and written communication skills and leadership.
Application Review Process
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed once complete.
- Qualified applicants will be invited to a virtual interview with the CScD in Occupational Therapy program director. This is not a requirement for the certificate only application.
Other Requirements
Degree and Certificate Applications
A professional resume indicating knowledge of rehabilitation through previous paid work experiences, internships or field experiences, or volunteer work experiences.
International Student Information
The following requirements are necessary for applicants from outside of the U.S.
For questions about the international student requirements, please reach out to the SHRS Admissions Office.
Academic Credential Evaluations
Students who have completed the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree or higher at an institution outside of the United States are required to provide an academic credential evaluation from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. or World Education Services (WES), Inc. with their application.
- A course-by-course evaluation with GPA conversion is required.
- Evaluations are not required for degrees earned in the United States. If you have attended an English Canadian institution, please contact the SHRS Admissions Office.
- Individual SHRS programs may have their own specific Academic Credential Evaluation requirements.
Verification of English Language Proficiency
The University of Pittsburgh accepts the official results of the Duolingo English Test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as a measure of English language proficiency.
Verification is required unless the following apply:
- The applicant is a citizen of a country whose official language is English.
- The applicant has completed a degree program at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.
- The applicant is not a citizen of a country whose official language is English but has completed a degree program at an institution outside of the U.S. where the language of instruction is English and where the official national language of the country in which the institution is located is English.
Minimum Scores by Program
On-campus Programs — Duolingo: 115 | IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL: 80
- Athletic Training (MS)
- Health Informatics (MS)
- Health Data Analytics (Certificate)
- Health Information Cybersecurity (Certificate)
- Leadership in Health Informatics (Certificate)
- Revenue Cycle Management (Certificate)
- Occupational Therapy (Post-Professional MS)
- Physical Therapy (Post-Professional MS)
- Prosthetics and Orthotics (MS)
- Sports Science (MS)
On-campus Programs — Duolingo: 130 | IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL: 100
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MS)
- Duolingo sub-score of 140-145 conversation and 130-135 comprehension are required.
- IELTS sub-score of 8.0 speaking and 7.0 listening are required.
- TOEFL sub-score of 26 for speaking and 24 for listening are required.
- Communication Science and Disorders (Post-Baccalaureate)
- Communication Science (PhD)
- Dietitian Nutritionist Program (MS)
- Doctor of Audiology (AuD)
- Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Physician Assistant Studies (MS)
- Rehabilitation Science (PhD)
- Speech Language Pathology (MA/MS)
Hybrid and Online Programs — Duolingo: 130 | IELTS: 7.0 | TOEFL: 100
- Hybrid
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Master of Rehabilitation Technology (MRT)
- Online
- Doctor of Clinical Science in Occupational Therapy (CScD)
- Advanced Practice Certificate in Implementation of Evidence in Clinical Practice (Certificate)
- Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc)
- Health Informatics (MS)
- Health Data Analytics (Certificate)
- Health Information Cyber Security (Certificate)
- Leadership in Health Informatics (Certificate)
- Revenue Cycle Management (Certificate)
How to Submit Scores
- Duolingo English Test: Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh – School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences”
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Scores should be made available electronically to “University of Pittsburgh Health and Rehabilitation Sciences”
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Scores should be submitted electronically through ETS to institution code “2927”.
