UNM’s entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy is an in-person program in Albuquerque. Applicants apply through OTCAS, complete a separate UNM program profile and fee, and take Casper. Admission considers academic work, written materials and experience; top candidates interview and complete a writing sample. The curriculum combines academic preparation with community fieldwork.
- Program
- Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
- Credential
- MOT
- Location
- Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- November 1, 2026 (UNM OT program profile, fee and OTCAS application)
- Interview
- Interview
- Seats
- Up to 30 students selected
- Length
- 2.5 years full-time
Casper Requirement for University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy
University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- OTCAS Applicant ID Number
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- OTCAS
- Applications open
- August 1, 2026
- Application fee
- OTCAS: $172 for the first program and $71 for each additional program; UNM also requires a separate program application fee.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| UNM OT program profile, fee and OTCAS application | November 1, 2026upcoming |
| Complete Casper | January 1, 2027upcoming |
| UNM Graduate Admissions application, if selected for interview | Before January 2027 |
Submit both the OTCAS application and UNM OT program profile and fee by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the application deadline. Interview-selected applicants must also apply through UNM Graduate Admissions.
University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy Admissions Statistics
Period: 2023-2025 graduation years
- Seats / class size: Up to 30 students selected
- Graduates, 2023-2025: 67 of 67 students admitted
- Graduation rate, 2023-2025: 100%
- NBCOT pass rate, 2023-2025: 95%
UNM reports these outcomes by graduation year; they are not application acceptance rates.
Eligibility Requirements for University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy
- Degree / credits
Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, completed by the end of the spring semester in the calendar year of admission.
Prerequisites must earn B (3.0) or better, be completed by the end of the fall application semester and have been taken within five years; no prerequisite may be taken more than twice.
Other requirements
- Course waiver request: Submit by October 1 for a five-year-limit waiver, review of a course not accepted as a prerequisite, or a waiver based on comparable life or work experience.
- Prerequisite transfer review: Use UNM’s Transfer Evaluation System; request review for a course not listed as an accepted OT prerequisite.
Selection Factors University of New Mexico Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Developmental Psychology | 3 credits PSYC 2120 |
| Abnormal Behavior | 3 credits PSY 332 |
| Introduction to Statistics | 3 credits MATH 1350 or PSYC 2510 |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 credits plus 1-credit laboratory BIOL 2210 and 2210L |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 credits plus laboratory BIOL 2225 and 2225L |
| Professional and Technical Communication | 3 credits ENGL 2210 |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Cumulative GPA on the last 50 graded credits.
- Minimum
- 3.0 on the last 50 graded credits
Prerequisite courses require a B (3.0) or better.
Admissions tests
- GRE (not required): GRE scores are neither required nor considered.
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
UNM recommends at least 65 hours observing or shadowing occupational therapy practitioners in more than one setting. Upload a time log listing dates, hours, location and therapist to OTCAS.
Supplementary application
OTCAS personal statement and letters of reference; separate UNM OT program profile and fee. Top candidates complete an interview and spontaneous writing sample.
How applicants are ranked
Top candidates are invited to interview. Final selection considers transcripts and academic record, personal statement, written materials, references, life and volunteer/work experience, community involvement, regional bilingual skills, interview and spontaneous writing sample.
Interview Format at University of New Mexico
Format: Interview
Top candidates attend an on-campus interview in Albuquerque and complete an extemporaneous writing sample.
- Who is invited
- Top candidates
- When
- Late January
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy
- Program length
- 2.5 years full-time
- Structure
74 credits: 53 core, at least 3 elective and 18 fieldwork; 24 months of academic preparation followed by six months of full-time community fieldwork. A part-time academic option is available.
- Campuses
- Health Sciences Center
Graduation requires coursework, Level I and II fieldwork, two master’s examinations and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Campus and facilities
The in-person MOT program is based at UNM Health Sciences in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with community fieldwork.
Tuition and Funding at University of New Mexico
- New Mexico resident tuition/fees, whole program: $40,287
- Nonresident tuition/fees, whole program: $90,513
UNM’s 2.5-year estimates use previously published rates and may change; other student, fieldwork, certification and licensing expenses are additional.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe the program culture as supportive, with current UNM OT students creating dedicated threads to guide applicants. Students report that the balance of coursework and personal life is manageable for many, particularly those in their late 20s or married, as long as deadlines are handled effectively. Current students report the workload as balanced, allowing time for personal commitments. Students report a positive first-semester experience and that the program accommodates non-traditional students. Online communities, including SDN threads by current UNM OT students, foster peer support for applications, coursework, fieldwork, and board exams. The culture is described as prioritizing stress management and deadline adherence.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy Application
- Check the last-50-graded-credits GPA and every prerequisite, including course age and grades.
- Arrange OT observation in more than one setting and keep the required time log.
- Submit the OTCAS application and UNM profile and fee by their deadlines.
- Complete Casper by the program deadline and prepare for an on-campus interview and writing sample if invited.
Frequently Asked Questions About University of New Mexico Occupational Therapy
Is Casper required?
Yes. All UNM MOT applicants must complete Casper by the program’s deadline.
What is the minimum GPA?
A cumulative 3.0 GPA on the last 50 graded credits; prerequisites require B or better.
What are the acceptance rates?
UNM states that up to 30 students are selected but does not publish an applicant-to-offer acceptance rate on its program pages.
Are there interviews?
Yes. Top candidates are invited to an on-campus interview and extemporaneous writing sample.
What is Casper for this application?
A required online assessment completed separately from OTCAS.
How competitive is admission?
UNM selects up to 30 students and considers academics, written materials, experience, an interview and a writing sample.
What is the MOT curriculum like?
The 74-credit program includes academic coursework and six months of full-time Level II fieldwork. UNM reports a 100% graduation rate and 95% NBCOT pass rate for its reported graduation years.
Where is the program?
The in-person program is based at UNM Health Sciences in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Sources
- UNM MOT Application Process
- UNM MOT Prerequisite Courses
- UNM Occupational Therapy Graduate Programs
- UNM MOT Program Curriculum
- UNM Graduate Studies MOT Application Instructions
- Acuity Test Date & School Information
- OTCAS Application Cycle Dates
- OTCAS Application Fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026