Applicants to occupational therapy early assurance pathways may pursue one of two tracks, our accelerated 3+2 pathway or our traditional 4+2 pathway. While in the pre-OT track, students can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in health science, public health, or another science-related program.

Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, successfully complete all OT prerequisites, and be in good standing with Student Affairs.

Students pursuing one of the pre-OT track early assurance pathways are advised accordingly based on the accelerated or traditional pathway selected.

• Traditional 4+2 pathway: completion of a four year undergraduate degree program followed by acceptance and entry into the two-year graduate OT program.
• Accelerated 3+2 pathway: completion of a three year undergraduate degree program (health science or public health are available options through SBU) followed by acceptance and entry into the two-year graduate OT program.

NOTE: While the OT early assurance program is tailored for incoming freshmen, students currently enrolled at SBU and transfer students may be eligible provided they complete prerequisites and other pre-OT track program requirements. 

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A student in either pathway will be eligible for acceptance and entry into the MSOT program if they achieve a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in an approved undergraduate major. The student will then be automatically admitted to our Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Students in either early assurance pathway (3+2 or 4+2) pursue courses in anatomy and physiology, human development, abnormal psychology, sociology, human movement/physics, among others.

Early assurance pathway details

3+2 accelerated B.S./MSOT option

Qualified students may pursue our 3+2 B.S./MSOT option, enabling them to complete undergraduate and graduate degree requirements in just five years, a year earlier than the traditional pathway of four years of undergraduate studies and two years in the MSOT program.

Students in the 3+2 pathway must select one of two undergraduate majors: health science or public health.

The accelerated 3+2 option is based on a student beginning freshman year studies without any credits from high school, but with the expectation that they will work diligently throughout the three years of undergraduate studies (including winter and summer sessions) to earn the required 120 credit hours. Students will need to achieve a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 to enter the graduate MSOT program.

4+2 B.S./MSOT option

Students who elect to pursue the 4+2 B.S./MSOT option have the opportunity to select from a wider array of undergraduate majors, such as biology, psychology, chemistry, public health, health science, education or others.

As is the case with the 3+2 option, students in the 4+2 pathway must achieve a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 to enter the graduate MSOT program.

Which is right for you, 3+2 or 4+2?

Upon acceptance to either pre-OT track early assurance pathway, students will consult with their academic adviser at the beginning of their freshman year to select either the accelerated 3+2 or traditional 4+2 pathway, and to review their detailed plan of study.

Requirements, benefits & maintenance standards

• When applying for admission to St. Bonaventure as an incoming freshman, whether using the free Common Application or St. Bonaventure’s institutional free application, applicants should indicate that they wish to apply for our pre-OT track early assurance pathways, either the accelerated 3+2 or 4+2 traditional.
• The completed application review process begins on Sept. 15 of the senior year and admissions are made on a rolling basis (decisions will be made within two weeks).
• SAT/ACT scores are not required. We are test-optional.
• Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and be in good standing with Student Life prior to joining the graduate-level cohort.
• Students in the 3+2 or 4+2 pathways are encouraged to become Pre-OT members of the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) at SBU and may participate in academic, social, and professional programs beginning in the freshman year.
• OT student advisement will determine advancement through the undergraduate curriculum/prerequisite course performance and professional development.
  
  

Applying for an OT early assurance pathway

Freshman applicants to St. Bonaventure who intend to pursue our pre-OT track early assurance pathways: accelerated 3+2 or 4+2 traditional in conjunction with occupational therapy will be contacted to discuss their interest in applying. For more information, please email Ashlee Puglio, coordinator of early assurance pathways in occupational therapy.

Transfer students are encouraged to apply for both pre-OT track early assurance pathways, accelerated 3+2 or the traditional 4+2, but need to understand their length of program to completion will vary by student.

Alumni considering the field of occupational therapy will be contacted to discuss their previous coursework and interest in the MSOT program.