Occupational Therapy

Application process

Application cycle

The application opens in mid July. Completed applications are reviewed as they are submitted beginning Sept. 15 until the class is full. Early application is encouraged. The final deadline for applications is Dec. 1.

Notification of acceptance

Applicants will be notified of admission on an ongoing basis beginning in mid October.

Admission requirements

This program has a competitive admissions process admitting 26 students annually. Prospective students should review admission requirements prior application. Historical admission data is available. It may also be helpful to evaluate the selection criteria considered by the application review committee when choosing applicants for interview and program admission.

Professional licensure disclosure

If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Wisconsin after completion of this program, you should contact that state's appropriate licensing board and refer to the Professional Licensure Disclosure to determine whether this UWL program meets licensure requirements in a specific state.

How to apply

Submit a OTCAS application

The program participates in the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).

Applicants will also submit a personal statement and recommendation information for 3 references within the OTCAS.

Interview

Beginning in mid-September, applicants with "Verified" OTCAS applications will receive an email with instructions to access interview questions via Canvas
- Applicants will have approximately one week to review and record responses using the video-based platform

Submit program application fee

The required $50 program application fee (non-refundable) must be submitted with a completed OT Program Application Fee Form
- Payment instructions included on form

Additional requirements for international applicants

In addition to the application requirements listed above, international applicants will need to submit the following items:

Transcript information - As noted above, official, certified or attested transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted. Additionally, documents issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

Course-by-Course Evaluations – This program requires a WES or ECE evaluation to be submitted as part of the application process.

Proof of English language proficiency: Non-native English speakers must submit evidence of language proficiency requirements for admission via official TOEFL results. Only results within the last two years will be accepted. Applicants must achieve an overall score of at least 100 iBT as well as minimum scores in each of the following TOEFL iBT categories:
- - Reading=22
  - Listening=22
  - Speaking=26
  - Writing=24

Proof of funding: Submit a bank statement and completed Affidavit of Support form.
- Applicants who require F-2 visas for dependents (spouse and/or children) must submit additional proof of funding and passport copies for each dependent.
Passport information: Submit a photocopy of the photo page of your passport.

Please contact International Admissions at intladmissions@uwlax.edu if you have questions. Each of the items listed in this section "Additional requirements for international applicants" can be sent directly to the UWL Admissions Office.

UWL Admissions Office
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
USA

Dates & Deadlines (2026-27)

OTCAS application cycle opens: July 16, 2026

Candidates may begin the online application process via OTCAS.

Admissions Committee begins review: September 15

Completed applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting September 15, continuing until the class is full. We recommend applying early.

An application will only be considered when all of the following have been met:

Verified OTCAS application (this includes having all official transcripts submitted to OTCAS)
UW-La Crosse Program Fee-Form and application fee paid
Asynchronous interview

If an applicant's application is considered before the December 1 deadline, admission may be offered or deferred for consideration at a later date.

First admissions letters sent: mid October

Applicants will be notified of admission into the program on an ongoing basis beginning in mid October.

If the applicant accepts admission, they must complete and submit the UW System application, the associated application fee, and a non-refundable tuition deposit by a date specified in their admission offer.

Firm application deadline: December 1

If the applicant's application, transcripts, or fee arrive after the deadline, OTCAS will automatically consider the application incomplete. The applicant is also responsible for completing and submitting the UWL program fee by this date.