Occupational therapists work with a wide range of people to help improve their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). This might include things such as dressing, washing, cooking, and eating as well as workplace tasks. Often, focus is on fine motor or basic gross motor function, developing skills like dexterity, coordination, and visual acuity as well as cognitive skills.

• Pre-Occupational Therapy pre-reqs guide (pdf)
• Occupational Therapy Assistant FAQ
• American Occupational Therapy Association

Occupational therapists help people with

Some common things that occupational therapists help people with include:

Rehabilitating people from injuries or illnesses.

Occupational therapists can help people regain the skills they need to perform everyday activities, such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They can also help people learn how to use adaptive equipment or assistive technology.

Helping people with disabilities live independently.

Occupational therapists can help people with disabilities develop the skills they need to live independently in their homes and communities. They can also help people find employment and participate in social activities.

Providing early intervention services for children with developmental delays.

Occupational therapists can work with children who have developmental delays to help them reach their full potential. They can provide therapy to help children with fine motor skills, gross motor skills, cognitive skills, and social-emotional skills.

How do I become an Occupational Therapist?

Accredited programs at both the Master’s and Doctorate level are available. A Bachelor’s degree is required for admission. Masters programs usually require two-three years and DOT’s ~ three. At least 6 months of supervised fieldwork is required as part of the degree. Once the degree is awarded, students sit for a national board exam.

What are the pre-requisites for entering a Masters or Doctorate in OT degree program?

Schools will have a large number of pre-reqs in common, but each school may vary slightly in the number of terms they require, or have some program specific courses. Pacific University is the only institution offering an OT degree, and it is at the DOT level. In general, students should plan on competing anatomy & physiology, a term of physics, general, developmental and abnormal psychology, statistics, medical terminology and some humanities courses. Many OT’s have Bachelor’s degrees in Liberal Arts, Psychology or Human movement.

Do I need experience in the field?

It is imperative that for any professional field you want to enter, you understand the work and the day to day flow of the professional. OT programs will expect candidates have been exposed to OT in a variety of settings across a range of ages. Hour minimums will vary.

How competitive is it to get into OT programs?

Nationally, there are currently 158 OT Master’s and 15 Doctoral programs. In 2017 at the Master’s level, there were a total of 7,236 slots available and 44,934 applications. At the Doctoral level, there were 549 slots and 3,092 applications. For Pacific University’s entering class of 2017, there were 1145 applications for 50 slots, with an average cumulative GPA of 3.69 and science/math GPA of 3.58.Last 45 credit GPA 3.85 and average observation hour were between 400-600.

As of March 3, 2017, the number of program locations in the accreditation process totaled 520.

Do I need the GRE?

Some schools will require, others not. Pacific University does not require the GRE, but it is preferred.

What is an average salary of a licensed OT?

The median annual wage for occupational therapists was $84,950 in May 2019.

What is the projected job outlook for OT’s?

Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 18 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or the loss of a limb. However, demand for occupational therapy services is related to the ability of patients to pay, either directly or through health insurance.

Where can I get more information?

American Occupational Therapy Association and The Bureau of Labor Statistics are great resources for learning more about the field.