how long is occupational therapist course

Full Answer

What degree do you need to become an occupational therapist?

• Important Facts About Occupational Therapists
• College Education. While most postgraduate programs do not require a specific major, the above generally cover the required prerequisite courses for admission.
• Master's Degree. ...
• Doctoral Degree. ...
• Certification and Licensing Requirements. ...
• Employment Outlook and Salary Info. ...

How much schooling does an occupational therapist need?

Where Occupational Therapists Work

• a Bachelor of Science degree or Master of Science in Occupational Therapy obtained in Ontario; or
• an academic qualification considered equivalent by the College's Registration Committee; plus
• a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised fieldwork (on-the-job training) or clinical practicum (observation and experience) as part of their education program.

What are the requirements for becoming an occupational therapist?

• In this article you will learn:
• What skills and education you need to become an occupational therapist
• The typical career path of an occupational therapist
• The average salary of an occupational therapist
• Occupational therapist jobs that are available now

How to become an occupational therapist?

Set up your own private practice.

• Take business courses. You do not need a business degree, but having one wouldn't hurt, either. ...
• Find out about state and local regulations. Aside from needing to be licensed as an occupational therapist, you will also need to meet zoning regulations, building codes, and various health ...
• Determine your field of specialty. ...
• Get the word out. ...

How many years of schooling do you need to become an occupational therapist?

If students have completed an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy, they can usually complete a one-year master's degree program at some colleges and universities.

What degree do you need to become an occupational therapist?

Some occupational therapists complete a doctoral degree in occupational therapy. Occupational therapists interested in advanced clinical practice or becoming a manager or leader may choose to complete a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy. Those who are interested in occupational therapy research can pursue a Ph.D.

How much does an occupational therapist make?

The average annual salary for an occupational therapist in the United States is $82,256 per year. Salaries may vary depending on factors such as location, the number of years of experience the position requires and the candidate's qualifications.

Where do occupational therapists work?

Occupational therapists work in hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, schools or outpatient care centers. They often work with other physical or speech therapists. Some occupational therapists also treat patients in their homes.

Why is it important to be a positive occupational therapist?

Being positive is essential to help patients to remain motivated to continue their treatment.

What do you learn in occupational therapy?

They also learn about research in the field and the practice of occupational therapy.

Can occupational therapists become generalists?

Once occupational therapists become licensed, they can remain generalists. However, occupational therapists can also choose to continue their education to complete specialized training in driving and community mobility, school systems, low vision, feeding and eating and swallowing.

How long does it take to become an occupational therapist?

How long it takes to become an occupational therapist will be dependent upon a specific school’s program, but completion of both degree programs takes between 5-7 years.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapists specialize in helping children achieve greater independence in their everyday activities – often times, this is done by improving children’s fine motor skills so that they can learn to perform actions independently. These skills involve the use of the smaller muscle of the hands and are necessary for children to execute their everyday self-care and academic tasks. Self-care tasks can include such things as brushing teeth, getting dressed, opening lunchboxes, and eating. Academic tasks can be made up of using scissors, drawing, typing, and writing. A child may need occupational therapy due to physical or behavioral disabilities and treatment involves functional activities geared toward improving visual, cognitive, and coordination skills. Occupational therapy is not to be confused with physical therapy.

What majors do occupational therapists need?

Occupational therapists may have undergraduate majors in a variety of areas such as kinesiology, psychology, anthropology, biology, and sociology ; however, specific program prerequisites must be completed to apply to graduate programs in occupational therapy. Typically, prerequisites may include kinesiology, anatomy, and physiology, but may vary by the university program. Following completion of a Bachelor’s program, an aspiring occupational therapist will apply to obtain their Master’s degree in occupational therapy. Occupational therapy coursework is diverse and includes anatomy, patient care, assistive technology, and exposure to a wide array of social and medical conditions. As part of your occupational therapy degree program, a student is required to complete approximately 24 weeks of fieldwork. This hands-on learning is done in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. Fieldwork is an integral part of occupational therapy education, ensuring that the aspiring therapist has completed the necessary training for their future career.

How long does it take to become an occupational therapist?

A long time! In most cases, you’ll need to complete an undergraduate degree (four years, unless you graduate early or pursue an accelerated program), and then you’ll be in occupational therapy school anywhere from two to three years.

What is the first step in becoming an occupational therapist?

The first step of becoming an occupational therapist is completing necessary requirements to become accepted into OT school. That means earning both a high school degree and an undergraduate degree with the proper prerequisite coursework.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy (OT) is a form of rehabilitation that helps people with health challenges re-engage in meaningful daily activities. Occupational therapists (OTs) focus on education, functional training, and participation in everyday activities, rather than relying on pharmaceuticals or surgical interventions.

How to pick an occupational therapy school?

I recommend that you explore the mission and philosophy of each occupational therapy school. Dig deep to find out what the program values, in terms of its curriculum and vision for OT.

What skills would an OT need?

Occupational therapists blend science with a healthy dose of compassion. OTs need to be somewhat analytical, but also patient and encouraging. They should enjoy science (especially anatomy and kinesiology) and enjoy working with the general public. OTs need to be excellent listeners and problem-solvers, and also need to understand how to effectively teach others .

What does an OT do?

OTs need to be excellent listeners and problem-solvers, and also need to understand how to effectively teach others. Much of what an OT does involves educating patients, family members, and caregivers—so it’s vital that OTs understand how to effectively communicate and educate. OTs also need to be very safety-oriented.

What are the factors that affect occupational therapy?

There are numerous factors that impact your salary as an OT. Years of experience, specialization, location of practice, and setting all affect your compensation.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy can be defined as a type of rehabilitation that assists people struggling with health issues to get back to their meaningful daily activities and lives.

How many MCQs are needed for occupational therapy assistant?

This examination is computer-based and comprises of 200 MCQs.

What are the desirable qualities of an occupational therapist?

The demands of a therapist’s work may seem difficult sometimes, but individuals with the right temperament and the ability to handle various problems that are thrown in their direction can make this job look less tedious. The following are the qualities that aspiring occupational therapists need to work on:

What skills do occupational therapists need?

Apart from the desirable qualities mentioned above, occupational therapists require a particular skill set to get ahead in this field. Many of these skills are acquired during the education program at school but some are only perfected with a lot of experience at hospitals.

How much does an occupational therapist make?

According to the employment information provided by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median occupational therapist salary is approximately $84,950 annually, ...

What are the questions asked in occupational therapy?

We will cover answers to the following questions in detail: 1 What is occupational therapy? 2 What is an occupational therapist? 3 How to become an occupational therapist? 4 Do you have what it takes to start a career in occupational therapy? 5 Which university provides exceptional occupational therapy courses?

Why do occupational therapists use evidence based treatments?

They use evidence-based treatments to improve both the mental and physical health of the patient. Upon employment, occupational therapists use a true mind-body approach to help patients get back on their feet. There are many reasons to become an occupational therapist.