The Relationship between Admission Criteria and Fieldwork Performance in a Masters-Level OT Program: Implications for Admissions

Abstract

Occupational therapy (OT) graduate programs strive to produce an effective OT workforce with competent and engaged OT practitioners. Admission into OT graduate programs is an increasingly competitive process, with most programs having more applicants than spaces available. Programs need to select applicants that will be the most successful in meeting graduation requirements, including both academic and clinical components. This pilot study was designed to examine the relationship between admission criteria and fieldwork (FW) performance. The study utilized a retrospective analysis with a convenience sample of 108 students with complete data from a private university in the Midwest. Independent variables of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) subscale scores (GRE-verbal, GRE-quantitative, and GRE-written) and undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) were included. The dependent variable was level II FW performance, as measured by the AOTA Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE). Results of this study found a significant correlation between CGPA and FWPE scores for level IIA FW experiences, and a significant correlation between GRE-written and FWPE scores for level IIB FW experiences. Regression models for FW IIB indicated that GRE-written was a significant predictor of FWPE scores for the FW IIB experience. This pilot study provides information that may be utilized during OT admission processes.