The minimal entry-level degree for practice as an Occupational Therapist is a clinical master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. The Concentration in Pre-Occupational Therapy is designed to prepare students for graduate study in Occupational Therapy. The concentration is not a major, and all students completing the concentration must also complete the requirements of a major prior to graduation. A student may complete any major while also completing the concentration. Many students interested in Occupational Therapy have majored in Biology, Health and Human Services, or Psychology and many of the courses required for the concentration are also required for completion of these majors.
First semester first year students who wish to complete the concentration should enroll in BIO 160 and HUS 125. First-year students should also consult with the Health Professions advisor, Dr. Steven Theroux, or members of the department of Health and Human Services. A significant number of hours (as many as 1,000) in fieldwork related to health care may be required for admission to some OT programs. The internship experience required for our program may not provide all of the hours needed to satisfy this requirement. Additional experience can be gained by volunteer work or by acquiring a paid position as a rehabilitation aide. It may also be possible to obtain additional fieldwork experience by completing additional internships within the major.
It is also important to note that some graduate programs have atypical course requirements. Students who are considering applying to graduate school for Occupational Therapy should review the admission requirements of the schools they plan to apply to by the beginning of their junior year in order to be certain they will have time to complete all of the necessary coursework before graduation.
Required Courses (11 Courses)
Recommended Courses (Not Required)
Recommended (but not required): Some programs may require a course in Neuroscience, Kinesiology and/or Neuroanatomy with a focus on the Central and Peripheral Nervous System.