Prepare to apply for occupational therapy school.
Before applying to an occupational therapy program, you are required to complete certain prerequisites to ensure you are qualified. This overview of preparing to apply for occupational therapy school offers expert insight from an occupational therapist.
The Facts
If you are thinking about becoming an occupational therapist, you have made a great career choice. Not only are occupational therapists, or OTs, in high demand in today's health care job market, they can work in almost any setting because of their wide range of specializations. Despite the shortage of therapists, however, getting accepted into an OT school is not easy; you have to do some legwork first.
Misconceptions
Getting into OT school requires more than a semester or two of anatomy and physiology. Because most programs in the United States are at the master's level, the first requirement is a degree, preferably in health sciences. And don't think that occupational therapy prerequisites are any easier than physical therapy; OT programs require you to take advanced sciences, psychology and even physics courses before they will consider your application. OT prerequisites are not purely academic. In addition to a passing GRE score and an impressive grade-point average, you must complete a certain number of direct therapy observation hours and provide personal references.
Significance
The purpose of having prerequisites for an occupational therapy program are twofold. One is to ensure that you have a strong foundation upon which the OT program's more advanced classes can build. The second is that you gain an understanding of what you are getting into before you begin the degree program. It's one thing to think you want to become a therapist, but it is another to decide you don't enjoy it during your first internship.
Time Frame
Because a bachelor's degree is required as a prerequisite for occupational therapy programs, a minimum of four years is required for most individuals before OT school can begin. During these four years, schools often suggest following a "pre-OT path," which outlines courses required for the OT program. Taking these courses in addition to your bachelor's degree program will increase your chance of acceptance.
Expert Insight
Other insights from an OT on completing prerequisites for occupational therapy include:
It is never too early to start your observation hours. Do as many of these as you can, in as many different types of settings as possible. A great way to get some of these hours is to take a job as a rehabilitation technician so that you can get paid at the same time.
Don't take just the basic requirements. OT programs look for applicants who go beyond the bare minimum. Take some classes that sound interesting and relate them to therapy. If in doubt, throw in a few extra psychology classes. You can never know too much psychology in this field.
Relax. Of course, you want to finish your degree as soon as possible, but if you don't get in the OT program on your first try, find out what you were missing and try again. If you really want it, you have to work for it. It will be worth it in the end.
Tags: occupational therapy, apply occupational, apply occupational therapy, bachelor degree, complete certain