137 Accredited Occupational Therapy Schools That DON’T Require the GRE

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.

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.