College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
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International Students

If you completed your pre-OT coursework at an institution outside the United States, or you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you are welcome to apply to our OTD program here at Drake! We admit qualified international applicants to our OTD program using the same standards as U.S. applicants.

Who is considered an international applicant?

You are considered an international applicant if you meet one or both of the following criteria:

  • You completed or plan to complete your pre-OT coursework/prerequisites at a college or university outside the United States
  • You are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; you are required to hold a non-resident visa to study in the United States

Admission Requirements

International applicants can apply to the Drake OTD program using the same process as all other OTD applicants. Our OTD Admission page gives more detailed information about this process. To apply, you must

  • Earn a minimum iBT TOEFL score of 79 or IELTS score of 6.5 (students who have attended a U.S. college or university, studying in a degree program other than ESL, or have studied in an English-based program abroad, may qualify for an exemption)
  • Complete the required Drake-specific questions within the OTCAS application.
  • Have an original or certified true copy of all academic records or transcripts in official form submitted directly to Drake University.

Ready to apply?

Submit an application through the Centralized Application Service for Occupational Therapy (OTCAS).

Next Steps After Applying

Please have all official transcripts or academic records from every college or university you have attended outside the U.S. sent directly to Drake University.  Please use the following guidelines to assist you:

  • Transcripts or academic records must be original or certified by the educational institution issuing credit and must be sent in official form
  • Transcripts or academic records must be sent directly to Drake University by the educational institution issuing credit via mail or electronically
  • Any translated records should be an exact translation (not interpretive) and be accompanied by the official, original-language document

Drake University conducts on-campus and virtual admission interviews for all OTD applicants.  Although the nature and structure of the interview process is ideally completed on Drake's campus, virtual interview options are available to applicants for whom travel is a barrier.  The admission interview is one part of a full day of programming, designed to showcase Drake, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the OTD program to applicants. 

Applicants who travel to campus to interview should expect to spend a full day at Drake for this event.

All admitted international students must submit documented evidence of financial support for educational expenses.  The Office of Global Engagement will assist you with obtaining the necessary financial certificate for Drake University.  This financial certificate must be signed by you and your sponsor.  This document must also be either countersigned and sealed by your sponsor's bank, or a separate letter or statement may be issued to support the information provided on the certificate.

Admitted Students

International students who are admitted to the OTD program will work with staff in our Office of Global Engagement to determine eligibility for and next steps in obtaining appropriate documentation for study in the United States and at Drake.

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will provide information about the steps to enrollment, which include:

  • Tuition deposit
  • Signed technical standards acknowledgement
  • Criminal background check and drug screen
  • Health certification and immunizations
  • Course registration and accessing online student services
  • Proof of CPR certification
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Professional Student Orientation and other important dates

Questions?

Questions regarding admission to the OTD program should be directed to the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at drakeot@drake.edu.