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Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy, a sub-discipline of Rehabilitation Medicine, is the field of health care that helps disabled people of all ages learn or regain the skills they need to live independent, productive and satisfying lives. Therapists help those who are physically disabled learn daily living skills such as dressing, cooking or using transportation. Occupational therapists also assist those with emotional disabilities and mental illness learn to cope with the demands of daily living and to plan and structure work and leisure. Occupational therapy employs tools and materials rather than the mechanical aids used by Physical Therapists. Their work is often closely coordinated with that of the Physical Therapist, since both fields involve training patients to improve their motor abilities.

Occupational therapists posses either a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy, or a bachelor's degree in a related area plus a master's degree in Occupational Therapy. Practitioners are certified by a national examination.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisite course work in the biological and behavioral sciences, including biology, psychology and sociology. For a complete listing of courses, applicants should contact those schools they are interested in attending. 

Volunteer or paid work experience with individuals with disabilities.

Applicants seeking admission to an occupational therapy program should contact those schools they are interested in attending for information on specific prerequisites and admission requirements.

Course Requirements 

1. General Chemistry with the lab (C101-121 or higher)
2. Anatomy and Physiology with the lab (P261-262)
3. Medical Terminology (R185) 
4. Basic Statistics (K300 or E270) 
5. English Composition (W131 and W231) 
6. Communication (S121) 
7. Psychology (P101 and P102) 
8. Abnormal Psychology (P324) 
9. Life Span Psychology (P214) 
10. Sociology (S161 or S163 or S164) 
11. Mathematics (M118 or higher) 
12. Ethics or Philosophy (3 cr. hrs.)
13. Electives (12-13 cr. hrs.) 

Websites

American Occupational Therapy Association
4720 Montgomery Lane
P.O. Box 31220
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220
301-652-2682