Thinking about a career as an Occupational or Physical Therapist and planning for graduate school? You’re in the right place.
If you’ve been thinking about a career in physical therapy (PT) or occupational therapy (OT), you already know how competitive graduate programs can be. That’s why Concordia University Ann Arbor’s School of Health Professions is creating new opportunities for students through special agreements with select colleges across Michigan and the Midwest.
These memorandums of understanding (MOUs) guarantee qualified students a seat in CUAA’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs—taking some of the stress out of the application process and helping future healthcare leaders step into their calling with confidence.
Guaranteed pathway: How it works
Through these agreements, students who complete their undergraduate degree at partner institutions—including Albion College, Olivet College, Hillsdale College and Northern Michigan University—can apply to CUAA’s PT or OT programs knowing that seats are reserved for them. Each partner school currently has at least two guaranteed spots available.
CUAA’s Admissions Counselor and Strategic Partnerships Outreach Specialist Laura Nail explains:
“These agreements are meant to benefit students. We’ve worked with each college to identify exactly which courses fulfill our prerequisites. That way, students can plan ahead, apply with confidence, and know they’ll be considered for guaranteed admission if they meet the requirements.”
What students need to know
- Admission is not automatic: Students still complete the normal application through PTCAS or OTCAS and go through an interview process. The difference is that if they’ve met the academic requirements, they have a guaranteed seat.
- Academic requirements: A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 is needed for OT. For PT, students must have at least a 3.0 overall and a 3.2 GPA in prerequisite science courses such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and physics.
- Holistic review: Especially in OT, CUAA looks at more than just grades. The admissions team considers a student’s passion for helping others, career goals, and overall potential to thrive in the field.
Why it matters
These pathways reward students who excel in their undergraduate coursework by streamlining the application process and securing their place in a quality graduate program.
Juliane Chreston, OTD, OTRL, director of the OT Program and assistant dean for the School of Health Professions, explains:
“There have been times in the past when admission to OT and PT programs was so competitive that even highly qualified applicants were wait-listed. We anticipate future demand for rehab professionals will return us to that level of competitiveness. These university-to-university partnerships benefit both schools and their students, creating a smooth path for top applicants to enter the profession.”
Susannah Steele, PT, Ph.D., DPT, PCS, director of the PT Program, adds:
“By guaranteeing qualified undergraduates a clear pathway into CUAA’s OT and PT programs, these new partnerships not only reduce barriers for students but also help the profession attract top talent sooner—fostering well-prepared, compassionate healthcare students who can meet the growing demand for rehabilitation care with confidence and purpose.”
Beyond easing uncertainty, these agreements strengthen CUAA’s ties with partner schools and provide earlier guidance for students considering healthcare careers.
“It’s about more than just saving seats,” Nail adds. “We’re building relationships with advisors and faculty, visiting classrooms, and talking with students earlier in their college journey. That way, they can make informed decisions about their future.”
Looking ahead
For students, this means earlier access to CUAA faculty and admissions counselors, clear guidance on prerequisite planning, and a smooth path toward a doctorate-level degree. For CUAA, it’s an opportunity to continue preparing skilled, compassionate healthcare professionals who are ready to serve.
If your college is interested in exploring an agreement with CUAA’s School of Health Professions, reach out to the admissions team at admissions@cuaa.edu to learn more.
Want in?
CUAA will continue to offer degrees in 2025-26 and beyond. Pursue a degree in healthcare at our North Building with its newly remodeled features and state-of-the-art simulation equipment, or earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education through one of our well-established online programs. The CUAA campus continues to offer a route to a Lutheran Teacher Diploma to help equip Lutheran K-12 schools nationwide with qualified workers. In the near future, Concordia will look to reintroduce additional church work training opportunities in Ann Arbor by building a new vision and model for the undergraduate degree programs here.
Click here to view a full list of the programs Concordia will retain in Ann Arbor. Click below to schedule a visit with an Admissions team member.