Become an Occupational Therapist

As an occupational therapists (OT), you'll help developmentally, mentally, emotionally and physically disabled people improve their ability to live an independent and fulfilling lifestyle by teaching them daily living and work skills.

Occupational Therapist Job Description

Your typical duties as an occupational therapist will likely include the following:

• Developing rehabilitation plans for patients and providing ongoing evaluations of their activities and progress
• Assisting clients in a wide range of activities, from driving a car to daily living skills such as dressing, cooking and eating
• Training those with permanent disabilities to use adaptive equipment

Find Occupational Therapy Schools

One of the largest areas of job growth for occupational therapists is in business consulting. You might choose to specialize in providing architects and contractors with design and accessibility consulting services, or to lend your expertise to such areas as technology development and ergonomics.

Occupational Therapist Salary

According to Salary.com, the middle 50 percent of occupational therapists earn between $56,770 and $68,004 per year. The top 10 percent earn an annual salary of $75,688 or more.

Occupational Therapy Work Environment

Most occupational therapists work in hospitals. Other settings in which you might work as an occupational therapist include the following:

• Clinics
• Public and private educational services
• Nursing care facilities
• Home health agencies
• Outpatient care services
• Community care centers
• Government agencies
• Private practice

Occupational Therapy Graduate School

As of 2007, you must have a minimum of a master's degree to practice occupational therapy. Admission to occupational therapy programs is competitive; to get into your school of choice, focus on earning a high overall grade point average in college (above a 3.3 GPA) and volunteer or work as an occupational therapy aide. Some schools require up to 150 hours of clinical experience prior to admission. You'll also need letters of recommendation from occupational therapists or science teachers. In addition, most schools require a satisfactory score on Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Occupational Therapy Prerequisite Courses

All OT programs require a bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college or university, unless you're entering a joint bachelor's/master's program. Prerequisite coursework generally includes:

• General biology with lab
• Organic chemistry with lab
• General physics with lab
• Human anatomy with lab
• Human physiology with lab
• Statistics and calculus
• Psychology and social sciences

Find Occupational Therapy Schools

Occupational Therapy Degree Options

If you've earned a master's or doctorate in occupational therapy from an accredited college or university you are eligible sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field and you want hands-on experience as soon as possible, you might consider entering a post-bachelor's certificate program. Otherwise, master's degree programs are the most common path of entry to the OT profession. After several years of practicing, many OTs choose to earn a doctorate degree.

Occupational Therapy Courses

As an occupational therapy student, you'll study subjects ranging from medical terminology and physiology, to mental health and gerontology. Students in training also need to undertake 6 months of supervised fieldwork in clinics or community organizations in order to gain hands-on experience before completing their program.

Time to Completion

The average master's degree program takes a student two and a half years to complete. The first year and a half is usually devoted to completing required coursework in a classroom setting; in the last year, students gain experience in a clinical setting.

OT Licensing Requirements

After graduating from an accredited OT program, OTs must pass a national certification examination from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Successful completion results in the title of registered occupational therapist (OTR).

Find Occupational Therapy Schools