Whether you’re a senior in high school, a sophomore in college, or an established medical assistant, you may be drawn to the challenging and promising career of occupational therapy (OT). 1
Occupational therapists (OTs) are an integral part of the health care system. They assist individuals with a range of tasks, from helping children learn basic skills to providing fall protection and safety for seniors. 2
If this resonates with you, you may be interested in specific OT education requirements, including prerequisite courses. Ready to learn more about this exciting and growing profession?
What Do Occupational Therapists Do?
Occupational therapists (OTs) meet with clients to promote health, well-being, and a higher quality of life.of American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) defines the profession as “the enabler to live life to the fullest by helping people of all ages improve their health, prevent injury, illness or disability, or live better.” It is defined as a means to “make 3
More specifically, OT assesses the client’s skills to perform routine tasks such as eating, dressing, bathing, and feeling ready to return to work, school, or social settings after injury or illness. Helps improve skills to perform more spectacular activities. 2 The people OT helps are diverse and may include individuals such as: Four, Five
- Individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Those who have had a stroke
- Clients recovering from surgery or other significant medical events
- Customers with rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, etc.
- Customers with chronic pain
With the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, government agencies, home health care, hospitals, and nursing homes, with the chance to earn a promising salary, why occupational therapy ranks among the You can easily see if there is.Top 72 of his 100 occupations across all industries US News & World Report. 6
How do I become an occupational therapist?
In addition to state licenses, OTs must hold the following qualifications: advanced degree in occupational therapy from an agency accredited by Occupational Therapy Education Accreditation Council (ACOTE).6 This is either: 7
The Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) program is also an option, but these degrees are typically pursued by OTs who have already established careers and want to pursue leadership, advocacy, and higher education roles. 8
Fortunately, both MOT 9 and OTDs Ten Programs can be completed in a few years, ensuring that you gain the necessary experience and knowledge and enter the workforce in a reasonable time frame.
What are the OT School requirements?
To be admitted to an occupational therapy program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Cumulative GPA is usually above her 3.0. Ten The American Occupational Therapy Association claims that some OT programs are happy to accept students who are in the process of earning a bachelor’s degree. 7
Below are some of the most common majors for OT school candidates. 11
- biology
- Kinesiology
- work science
- Sociology
- psychology
- education
- health science
During the admission process, you will be asked to provide proof of your undergraduate education in the form of official transcripts submitted by the university. Ten, 9 You may also be asked to provide the name of the OT program you are applying for.
Below are some of the typical admission requirements. 12
- A personal statement outlining why you want to become an occupational therapist
- Essays on predetermined topics related to occupational therapy
- Typically a letter of recommendation from a mentor, college supervisor, college instructor, or OT clinician with whom you have interned, shadowed, or worked with
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume detailing your experience
- GRE based on specific school score requirements. However, some schools, including USAHS, do not require him to have a GRE. 12
This is standard practice for most graduate medical programs. Although achievable, the requirements for an OT degree are a bit more extensive. 9 Let’s take a look at some more OT school requirements.
Supplemental question
Additional questions give the OT Program Committee the opportunity to gain more insight into your experience, knowledge, and professional goals. These may include questions about: 9, Ten
- profession of interest – OT frequently helps people return to normal life and the workforce. That’s why they work with different clients. The Occupations of Interest question allows OT programs to better understand how they can engage with people from a variety of occupations and lifestyles.
- personal attribute – OTs must have an MOT or OTD, but they also need strong interpersonal skills, adaptability and compassion.1 OT Schools may ask you to list the characteristics that would make you an excellent candidate in this field.
- volunteer experience – In many ways, occupational therapists are ambassadors for their communities and strive to improve the overall health and wellness of the population. Some OT schools encourage candidates to share their volunteer experiences You may be asked to
observation time
OT program review does not always require observation time. 9, Ten That said, they may help you stand out from the competition and show that you understand the profession.
Observation involves shadowing an occupational therapist in a clinical setting. 12 Generally, schools that require observational shadowing require 20 to 50 hours, but some schools require more. Even if your school of choice does not require shadowing, some experts recommend working at least 20 hours to demonstrate a more thorough understanding of what occupational therapists do. increase. 12
To increase your appeal and help identify the types of clients and clinical environments that speak to you, observation hours can be conducted at various facilities such as: 12
- hospital
- school
- private clinic
- nursing home
prerequisite
Aspiring occupational therapists are generally required to complete major prerequisite courses (with a GPA of 2.0 or higher in each course). 9, TenSpecific prerequisites depend on the OT School you choose. However, some of the most common include: 9, Ten
- general human anatomy
- human anatomy and human physiology
- Lab anatomy and physiology
- general human physiology
- Lifelong human growth and development
- abnormal psychology
- statistics
- medical term
- Sociology or anthropology courses such as:
- sociocultural anthropology
- biological anthropology
Other prerequisites (depending on the specific school’s OT degree requirements) may include: 12
Think this is tough? For some it may be, but these courses, like others, provide a good foundation of knowledge at the postgraduate level.Many promising occupational therapists Begin planning for a career early in his freshman or sophomore year of college.
Also, it’s never too late. Even if you majored in a radically different field, you might be accepted if you met the prerequisites. 13
How do occupational therapists obtain a license to practice?
Whether you choose MOT, OTD, or PPOTD, our occupational therapy programs are designed to prepare graduates for their next goals. National Commission for Accreditation of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).1
Obtaining a license also requires supervised fieldwork, hands-on work with clients. OTs continue their education throughout their careers in order to maintain their state license. 6
One of the benefits of becoming an OT is that you can also choose your area of specialization. 6 For some this may be leadership, for others it may be education at the graduate level. Others may want to choose a “clinical” niche such as: 6
- geriatrics
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- Mental health such as anxiety and depression Five
- Developmental conditions such as autism and learning disabilities Five
- Hand complications including trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome Five
Explore the field of occupational therapy
Occupational therapists enjoy some of the best perks in healthcare, from the opportunity to improve the lives of their clients to the ability to work in a variety of challenging environments. Given the promising salaries and the potential for excellent job growth, the prospects for OT candidates are high. 6
St. Augustine University Health Sciences It is the leading choice for aspiring OTs. We offer three postgraduate occupational therapy programs: Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), Physician of Occupational Therapy (OTD), and Practitioner of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD). Dedicated faculty, compassionate support, cutting-edge technology, a progressive learning model, and a flexible curriculum are some of our distinguishing features. Our enrollment team can help you determine the degree that fits your lifestyle, preferences, personal and professional goals.
Request information About the OT program APPLY NOW Start a rewarding OT career.
sauce:
- S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Therapists: A Handbook of Occupational Perspectives.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Last updated September 2022,
- American Occupational Therapy Association, “What is Occupational Therapy?” Mr. Aota Last updated in 2023,
- St. Augustine University Health Services, “What Do Occupational Therapists Do?” USAHS, Last updated October 2022,
- A Barrel, “Occupational Therapy: What It Is, Who It Treats, and More” medical news todaylast updated April 2020,
- J Seladi-Schulman, “Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy: How Do They Differ?”, health linelast updated March 2020,
- S News Best Jobs, “Occupational Therapists – Career Rankings, Salaries, Reviews and Advice” US News & World Report, Last updated in 2023,
- American Occupational Therapy Association, “Program Admissions and Formats,” Aotalast updated in 2023,
- K Hoyt and S Lyon, “Which OT degree? (OT, OTD, PPOTD, etc!),” OT Potential/Occupational Therapy Resources, Last updated: August 2022,
- St. Augustine University Health Services, “Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Degree,” USAHS, Last updated in 2023.
- St. Augustine University Health Service, “Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Degree,” USAHSlast updated in 2023.
- Indeed, “8 Best Majors for Occupational Therapists”, that’s rightlast updated in August 2022.
- Student Physician Network, “How to Get into Occupational Therapy School,” student doctor network,
- J Mielke, “Admission to Occupational Therapy School: An Admissions Guide” educatedlast updated in 2021,
