what is occupational therapy course

by Miss Katelyn Schuppe IV 10 min read

The OTD curriculum is a 107-credit degree program that provides professional training to develop entry-level occupational therapists with the knowledge and skills to optimize the occupational performance of individuals, communities, and populations within dynamic contexts.

Full Answer

What classes are required for Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy assistant programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, which is a part of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

What universities offer occupational therapy?

University of Washington-Seattle Campus offers 11 Occupational Therapy degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 74 Occupational Therapy students graduated with students earning 51 Doctoral degrees, and 23 Master's degrees. University of Puget Sound offers 3 Occupational Therapy degree programs.

What are the top occupational therapy schools?

University of the Sciences

  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Graduation Rate: 78%
  • Points: 94

What can I expect from occupational therapy?

What to Expect Occupational Therapists assist patients in performing activities of all kinds, ranging from using a computer to caring for daily needs, such as dressing, cooking and eating. Physical exercises may be used to increase strength and dexterity, while paper and pencil games may be chosen to improve visual acuity and the ability to discern patterns.

What is the study of occupational therapy?

What Is Occupational Therapy? Occupational therapy is a branch of rehabilitative medicine that uses interventions to help patients who have a variety of cognitive and physical conditions. It emphasizes developing and maintaining the skills people need to perform the activities, or “occupations,” of daily life.

What does an occupational therapist actually do?

Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.

What are the qualifications to be an occupational therapist?

Master's degreeOccupational Therapist / Entry level education

Is occupational therapist a doctor?

An occupational therapist should not be called a doctor because the majority of the profession is comprised of those that do not hold doctorate degrees. However, OT will go to a doctorate degree by 2027.

Is occupational therapy a good career?

OT is very rewarding. If you can think of an industry or sector you could find an OT working there. If you are someone who loves to help people, if you are practical, enjoy problem solving, and experience huge satisfaction from empowering others then Occupational Therapy is the field for you.

What is a occupational therapist salary?

80,150 USD (2015)Occupational Therapist / Median pay (annual)

Is Neet required for occupational therapy?

No neet is neet is not required for occupational therapy course. The requirements to become an occupational therapist are generally passing the 10+2 exam in physics, chemistry, biology and English with at least 45 to 50 percent marks,.

Is occupational therapy a hard degree?

Occupational Therapy isn't the easiest of degrees, but it's way more rewarding than a 9-5 desk job. We are on our feet all day, but we've also learnt to appreciate every second of a night out. The variety of patients we meet really opens our eyes and changes our perspective on the world.

What are the fees of a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Course?

The average fees of the course can range from about Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 1,00,000.

What are the main colleges in India offering the program?

Christian Medical College, VelloreAll India Institute of Physical Medical and Rehabilitation, MumbaiManipal College of Allied Health Sciences, Mani...

What are the best colleges abroad offering this course?

Trinity College, Dublin, United KingdomUniversity of Sydney, AustraliaBoston University, United States of AmericaUniversity of Toronto, Canada

What is the main Master’s course after achieving a Bachelors of Occupational Therapy?

The postgraduate/ Master’s degree after Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) is ‘Master of Occupational Therapy’ (MOT).

Where do people that graduate from the program usually work?

People that graduate from the program usually work at:HospitalsSchoolsRehabilitation FacilitiesPrivate ClinicsNursing Homes

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a branch of rehabilitative medicine that uses assessments and interventions to help patients who have various cognitive and physical conditions. It emphasizes developing and maintaining the skills to perform the meaningful activities, or “occupations,” of daily life.

What are the responsibilities of occupational therapy?

The responsibilities of an occupational therapist may include: 1 Helping patients learn new ways to perform ADLs 2 Creating customized solutions for patients to promote independence and healing 3 Supporting patients in creating a daily routine, learning memory tricks, and problem-solving 4 Teaching patients how to use assistive technology 5 Teaching patients to perform tasks without pain 6 Working with patients who have developmental and cognitive conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy 7 Helping patients who have physical changes due to aging or injury, such as stroke, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or amputations

What percentage of occupational therapists work in hospitals?

About 27 percent of occupational therapists work in hospitals, while 26 percent work in rehabilitative practices that may include physical therapists, audiologists, and speech therapists. The remaining 47 percent work in schools, home healthcare services, skilled nursing facilities, and other settings.

How to become an OTA?

If you wish to become an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) rather than an OT, you need only earn your associate degree in OT. 2. Earn a Graduate Degree. The next step is to earn a graduate degree from an accredited university.

How long does it take to get a degree in OT?

Assuming that candidates already have a bachelor’s degree, it takes two to three years to earn a graduate degree in OT, depending on the program and institution. Graduates should spend between 30 and 90 days studying for and taking the NBCOT exam.

Why is working as an OT important?

Working as an OT is also rewarding, because you have the chance to help people improve the quality of their lives. Once you are working as an occupational therapist, you can choose to specialize in a particular area, such as pediatrics or gerontology.

What is a bachelors in occupational therapy?

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is a bachelor's programme in the field of medicine. It trains the students to become skilled professional Occupational Therapist, capable of doing the Independant or Supervised practice.

Is occupational therapy a medical field?

Occupational therapy is closely linked to medical studies and in fact, many key medical concepts are taught to students who pursue Occupational Therapy. The following subjects are taught to a student when a student pursues Occupational Therapy in his studies:

Do occupational therapists have similar profiles?

Every job requires a certain skill set and job in Occupational Therapy have more or less similar profiles. Which means that all the jobs in this field require more or fewer skills which are similar to each other. Job recruiters look for the following skills while selecting Occupational Therapy Experts:

What is occupation?

Occupations are the activities people of all ages need and want to do—things like making meals, dressing, managing medications, driving, going to school or work, playing, or caring for family members.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people participate in their desired occupations with the therapeutic use of everyday activities, based on the client's personal interests and needs.

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 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.

How much will occupational therapy jobs grow in 2026?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), occupational therapy jobs are on the rise, with employment of OTs projected to grow 24% between 2016 and 2026. This rate is much faster than the average projected growth of professions in the US.

What do OTs need to know?

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 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 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 the job of an OT?

Much of an OT’s job surrounds keeping patients and family members safe, which can be a challenge. From teaching family members how to safely assist with bathing and toileting, to demonstrating safe use of medical equipment—a huge focus in OT is teaching safety awareness.

Independent online occupational therapy courses (from your fellow therapists)

In addition to the major OT CEU providers that help you keep up to date with a wide variety of topics, there are a growing number of course creators that help you dive into niche topics.

If you only need a few courses, maybe free is the best option for you?

There are free CEU courses out there! We’ve done our best to compile the free CEU offerings we know of into the post: Free Occupational Therapy (OT) CEUs—AOTA Approved.

Conclusion

Many of us have relished the ability to learn from the comfort of our own homes for years—but the pandemic has all but made this style of learning standard in our profession. So here’s to the convenience, affordability, and accessibility afforded by online occupational therapy continuing education.

What do you need to get onto an Occupational Therapy degree?

Entry requirements for an Occupational Therapy degree at a university usually range from 112–120 UCAS points, although some unis may have higher or lower requirements. This could include the qualifications below.

How will you be assessed?

You'll be heavily assessed while working on placement. This is based on a knowledge and skills framework that's fully explained to you once you begin the course. When not on placement, assessment methods may include:

Why study Occupational Therapy?

Degrees typically lead to professional accreditation and the ability to work as an occupational therapist.

What do Occupational Therapy graduates earn?

Occupational Therapy graduates in the NHS can expect an entry-level salary of £25,500 (Band 5). Most OT roles are commonly graded Band 5 or Band 6, which has an upper income of around £39,000 – with higher earnings for those who manage a department or team.

What jobs can you get as an Occupational Therapy graduate?

Courses are highly vocational, so students generally go on to practise as occupational therapists. Or you could use your skillset in a range of other roles, although some require further training:

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

If you already have a first degree in a related subject, you can take a graduate-entry pre-registration course to qualify as an occupational therapist. Graduates of Occupational Therapy may also continue their studies to specialise in certain areas, through postgraduate courses such as:

Have any questions?

Get in touch with our experts by emailing ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your question about studying Occupational Therapy. We’ll be happy to hear from you!

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Associate Program

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This program is the entry level program for becoming occupational therapy assistant. Prerequisite The candidate must be a graduate from high school, completed GED/HSED or equivalent. There is no other such requirement, but the students who have completed biology courses or have attended healthcare facult…
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Baccalaureate Program

  • Prerequisite You must have a high school diploma or GED. Duration The length of undergraduate or baccalaureate program is 4 years. Course During the course, you will have to attend both the practical and theoretical sessions. In this, you will study about the environment, human biology, health, physical rehabilitation, neuropsychiatry, etc. During the first year of the course, the stude…
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Entry-Level Master’s Degree Program

  • Prerequisite 1. For an entry-level master’s degree program, the student must have completed at least bachelor’s degree program. Some of the colleges also accept the students whose bachelor’s degree is still in progress. 2. In order to be eligible for this degree program, there are some pre-requisite courses that a student must complete for admission.The coursework can be complete…
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Dual Degree Program

  • The combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program is not provided by all institutes, and some schools have discontinued these. So, please cross-check with the institute if you are interested in pursuing the course. Prerequisite A student can enter as a college freshman. Pre-requisite coursework includes subjects like anatomy and physiology, neuroanatomy, medical terminology…
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Occupational Therapy Online Courses

  • If you are in a job or want to complete your degree online, then there are many institutes that provide these lectures. The coursework, degree, and the duration remain the same as in the offline mode. In some schools, you may have to take practical sessions on the premises, but the theoretical part can be completed sitting at home or anywhere and anytime. You can check the li…
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Cost & Scholarship

  • Cost The cost of the program depends on the program that you want to pursue. The fee varies with the institutes, and the schools may charge for labs, uniforms, etc. For the exact fee structure, you should contact the school you are enrolling in. Scholarships To make occupational therapy course more affordable, there are many scholarship programs that are available. These program…
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Future Scope

  • There are more options or fields in which you can further practice occupational therapy and enhance your knowledge base, these are: 1. Doctor of Occupational Therapy(OTD) 2. Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy (MS)
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