If you’re looking for occupational therapy schools that don’t require the GRE for acceptance, you’ve come to the right place!
I know you’ve already got a lot on your plate when it comes to meeting your OT school application requirements. If you haven’t done great on the GRE despite your best efforts or you just don’t want to take it, it’s nice to have one less thing to worry about.
I personally took the GRE once before applying to schools and let’s just say, I did not love studying for it and did not want to retake it again after getting an average (not so competitive) score. Finding OT programs that didn’t need GRE scores was definitely on my to-do list, especially with how competitive the overall OT school selection process is already.
Thankfully, there are many accredited occupational therapy schools that don’t require the GRE! I combed through every single OT graduate program’s requirements to make this handy all-in-one list for you to refer to during your OT school application process.
Check out the How To Get Into OT School Guide! It’s the most comprehensive resource that covers everything you need to know.
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I do want to note that since program requirements are always changing, and programs are being created all the time, this list may not include every single OT school that doesn’t require the GRE. Always be sure to check your top programs’ requirements on their specific sites as well.
The accredited programs listed here are categorized by region, include the types of OT graduate programs they offer, and includes whether or not they use the OT centralized application service (OTCAS) for applying. The programs are not ranked in any particular order.
Not sure about whether you want to go the Master’s (MOT/MSOT) or Doctorate (OTD) route? Be sure to check out our article, The MOT vs. OTD: Which Degree Should You Pursue?
Table of Contents
- Northeastern OT Programs with no GRE
- Midwestern OT Programs with no GRE
- Southern OT Programs with no GRE
- Western OT Programs with no GRE
Northeastern OT Programs with no GRE
Alvernia University
Location: Reading, PA
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: No
American International College (AIC)
Location: Springfield, MA
Type of program: Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s (MSOT), entry-level Master’s (MSOT), post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Bay Path University
Location: Longmeadow, MA
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Boston University (BU)
Location: Boston, MA
Type of program: Entry-level Doctorate (OTD), post-professional Doctorate
Uses OTCAS: Yes (for entry-level OTD only)
Cedar Crest College
Location: Allentown, PA
Type of program: Entry-level Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Clarkson University
Location: Potsdam, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Columbia University
Location: New York, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), Accelerated MS/OTD, Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: No
Chatham
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Delaware State University
Location: Dover, DE
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
D’Youville College
Location: Buffalo, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), 5 year combined Bachelor’s to Master’s (MSOT), post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Gannon University
Location: Erie, PA
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU)
Location: Gwynedd Valley, PA
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Hofstra University
Location: Hempstead, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Husson University
Location: Bangor, ME
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Iona College
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Johnson & Wales University
Location: Providence, RI
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Kean University
Location: Union, NJ
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Keuka College
Location: Keuka Park, NY
Type of program: Combined Bachelor’s (BS) and Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Le Moyne College
Location: Syracuse, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Long Island University
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Type of program: Combined Bachelor’s (BS) and Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)
Location: Worcester, MA and Manchester, NH
Type of program: Combined Bachelor’s (BS) and Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Mercy College
Location: Dobbs Ferry, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: No
Messiah University
Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Location: Boston, MA
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Misericordia University
Location: Dallas, PA
Type of program: Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s (MSOT), entry-level Master’s (MSOT), entry-level Doctorate (OTD), post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: No
Monmouth University
Location: West Long Branch, NJ
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Moravian University
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
New York University (NYU)
Location: New York, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), two-tiered MS/OTD, post-professional Doctorate (OTD), PhD
Uses OTCAS: No
New York Institute of Technology (New York Tech)
Location: Old Westbury, NY
Type of program: Life Sciences Bachelor’s to Master’s (MSOT), Life Sciences Bachelor’s to Doctorate (OTD), Master’s (MSOT), Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Pace University
Location: Westchester, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Quinnipiac University
Location: Hamden, CT
Type of program: Entry level Doctorate and post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Regis College
Location: Weston, MA
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Russell Sage College
Location: Troy, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: No
Sacred Heart University
Location: Fairfield, CT
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Salem State University
Location: Salem, MA
Type of program: BS/MSOT bridge program (only for occupational therapy assistants), entry-level Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: No
Salus University
Location: Elkins Park, PA
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Saint Francis University
Location: Loretto, PA
Type of program: Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s (MOT), entry-level Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: No
Seton Hall University
Location: South Orange, NJ
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), Dual Degree in OT (Accelerated BA + MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: No
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Location: Slippery Rock, PA
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Springfield College
Location: Springfield, MA
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Stockton University
Location: Galloway, NJ
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
SUNY Downstate
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: No
Thomas Jefferson University
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Type of program: Entry-level Master’s (MSOT) and Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Towson University
Location: Towson, MD
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), entry level and post-professional Doctorate (OTD), Occupational Science doctorate (Sc.D)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Trinity Washington University
Location: Washington, D.C.
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: No
University at Buffalo
Location: Buffalo, NY
Type of program: Five-year Occupational Science BS/Occupational Therapy MSOT program
Uses OTCAS: No
University of Pittsburgh
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of New England
Location: Portland, Maine
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of New Hampshire
Location: Durham, NH
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: No
University of the Sciences
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Type of program: Master’s (MOT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Scranton
Location: Scranton, PA
Type of program: Five year Master’s (MSOT), six year Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: No
University of Southern Maine
Location: Portland, ME
Type of program: Master’s (MOT), Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes (but you can use their own application instead if desired)
Utica University
Location: Utica, NY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Western New England University
Location: Springfield, MA
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Widener University
Location: Chester, PA
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
York College/CUNY
Location: Jamaica, NY
Type of program: Combined Bachelor’s to Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
_______________
Midwestern OT Programs with no GRE
Allen College
Location: Waterloo, IA
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Baker College
Location: Auburn Hills, MI
Type of program: Combined Bachelor’s to Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: No
Chicago State University
Location: Chicago, IL
Type of program: Combined BS/MOT, entry-level Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: No
College of Saint Mary
Location: Omaha, NE
Type of program: Entry-level Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Concordia University Wisconsin
Location: Mequon, WI
Type of program: Bachelor’s to Master’s (MOT), entry-level Master’s (MOT), COTA to Master’s bridge program
Uses OTCAS: Yes (but only for entry-level Master’s)
Cox College
Location: Springfield, MO
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Creighton University
Location: Omaha, NE [Additional locations in Anchorage, AK, Denver, CO and Phoenix, AZ]
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Davenport University
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Drake University
Location: Des Moines, IA
Type of program: Entry-level Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Eastern Michigan University
Location: Ypsilanti, MI
Type of program: Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s (MOT), entry-level Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Note: They have waived their GRE requirement for 2022, be sure to check their site after 2022.
Grand Valley State University
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Type of program: Entry-level Master’s, post-professional Doctorate (DrOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Huntington University
Location: Fort Wayne, IN and Peoria, AZ
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Indiana University
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Kettering College
Location: Kettering, OH
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
KU Medical Center
Location: Kansas City, KS
Type of program: Master’s (MOT), entry level Doctorate (OTD), post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Maryville University
Location: St. Louis, MO
Type of program: Bachelor’s to Master’s, entry-level Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Midwestern University
Location: Downer’s Grove, IL
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Mount Mary University
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: No
Nebraska Methodist College
Location: Omaha, NE
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Saginaw Valley State University
Location: University Center, MI
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: No
Saint Louis University (SLU)
Location: St. Louis, MO
Type of program: Master’s (MOT), post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Shawnee State University
Location: Portsmouth, OH
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Spalding University
Location: Louisville, KY
Type of program: Entry-level Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
St. Catherine University
Location: St. Paul, MN
Type of program: Master’s (MAOT), Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Rockhurst University
Location: Kansas City, MO
Type of program: Five-year Bachelor’s to Master’s (MOT), Master’s (MOT),
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Findlay
Location: Findlay, OH
Type of program: Weekend option Master’s (MOT), entry-level Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Indianapolis
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Type of program: Master’s (MOT), Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Mary
Location: Bismarck, ND
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Michigan-Flint
Location: Flint, MI
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Minnesota
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Missouri
Location: Columbia, MO
Type of program: Entry level and post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: No
University of North Dakota
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: No
University of South Dakota
Location: Vermillion, SD
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Southern Indiana
Location: Evansville, IN
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: No
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Location: Madison, WI
Type of program: Entry-level Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Walsh University
Location: North Canton, OH
Type of program: Combined Bachelor’s to Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Washington University (WashU)
Location: St. Louis, MO
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), Doctorate (OTD), MSOT/MPH joint degree, PhD in Rehabilitation and Participation Science
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Wayne State University
Location: Detroit, MI
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Western Michigan University
Location: Kalamazoo, MI and Grand Rapids, MI
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
_______________
Southern OT Programs with no GRE
Abilene Christian University
Location: Abilene, TX
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Location: Fort Smith, AR
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Arkansas State University
Location: Jonesboro, AR
Type of program: Doctorate
Uses OTCAS: No
Brenau University
Location: Norcross, GA and Gainesville, GA
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), Doctorate. Note: GRE is required for the entry-level Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Cabarrus College
Location: Concord, NC
Type of program: Combined Bachelor’s to Master’s (MOT), OTA to Master’s (MOT) bridge program
Uses OTCAS: No
Eastern Kentucky University
Location: Richmond, KY
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT); will be phased out in 2024. OT Bachelor’s to Doctorate (OTD), post-professional OTD, PhD in rehabilitation sciences
Uses OTCAS: No
Emory and Henry College
Location: Marion, VA
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
James Madison University
Location: Harrisburg, VA
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Lenoir Rhyne
Location: Hickory, NC and Columbia, SC
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Lincoln Memorial University
Location: Harrogate, TN
Type of program: Combined Bachelor’s and Doctorate (BS + OTD), entry-level Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Methodist University
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Milligan College
Location: Milligan, TN
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Radford University
Location: Radford, VA
Type of program: Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), Master’s (MOT), post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Shenandoah University
Location: Winchester, VA
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), traditional Doctorate (OTD), post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Tennessee State University
Location: Nashville, TN
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Texas Tech University
Location: Lubbock, TX
Type of program: Master’s (MOT), Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Texas Women’s University
Location: Denton, TX, Dallas, TX and Houston, TX
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD or PhD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Location: Birmingham, AL
Type of program: Entry-level Master’s (MSOT), entry-level Doctorate (OTD), post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Location: Fayetteville, AR
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes (however they may be phasing out OTCAS in the future)
University of Florida
Location: Gainesville, FL
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Louisiana
Location: Monroe, LA
Type of program: OTA to Master’s (MOT) bridge program
Uses OTCAS: No
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), post-professional PhD
Uses OTCAS: Not currently but will be transitioning to it in late 2022
University of St. Augustine
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Type of program: Master’s (MOT), Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Texas Medical Branch
Location: Galveston, TX
Type of program: Entry level and post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Winston-Salem State University
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
Location: Richmond, VA
Type of program: Entry-level Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
_______________
Western OT Programs with no GRE
A.T. Still University
Location: Mesa, AZ
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Colorado State University
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Type of program: Entry-level Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Loma Linda University
Location: Loma Linda, CA
Type of program: Entry-level and post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Midwestern University
Location: Glendale, AZ
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Northern Arizona University
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Type of program: Entry-level Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Pacific University
Location: Forest Grove, OR
Type of program: Entry-level Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Samuel Merritt University
Location: Oakland, CA
Type of program: Master’s (MOT) and Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Stanbridge University
Location: Irvine, CA, Riverside, CA, and Los Angeles, CA
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
Touro University Nevada
Location: Henderson, NV
Type of program: Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Type of program: Entry-level and post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: No
University of Puget Sound
Location: Tacoma, WA
Type of program: Entry-level Master’s (MSOT), entry-level Doctorate (OTD), post-professional Doctorate (DrOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Utah
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Type of program: Entry-level Master’s (MOT), post-professional Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
University of Washington
Location: Seattle, WA
Type of program: Master’s (MOT)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
West Coast University
Location: Irvine, CA
Type of program: Master’s (MSOT), Doctorate (OTD)
Uses OTCAS: Yes
_______________
I want to wrap this up by saying don’t let the GRE hold you back if your top OT programs do require it! If you haven’t taken it, it’s certainly not a huge deal or the hardest thing, as long as you dedicate the necessary time to study for it.
Give yourself at least 2-3 weeks of studying (preferably longer), several hours a day and you’ll likely do fine on it. If you’re worried about not scoring well, be sure to also give yourself plenty of time to retake it (if needed) before you submit your OT school applications.
Do you know of any other OT schools don’t require the GRE? Please add them to the comments below!
I will continually update this article as I can since OT programs periodically change their requirements, so let me know if you find any other changes to add here as well.
