<p>D is a rising junior in HS - thinks she might be interested in OT for children. We are actually going on our first college visit tomorrow - a mid-sized state univ that has a 3/2 program.</p>
<p>Our first two go/went to smaller private schools and I think she would be suited for these as well (and she may be fine with bigger schools) but I'm noticing that some of the smaller schools have you transferring out after 3 years to go elsewhere to finish up two more years (for a Masters). </p>
<p>I'm assuming we want a program that accomodates direct admit into their OT program? Or not???</p>
<p>Looking for any advice or suggestions of questions we should be asking. It's early enough in the process and we have lots of time to learn. :)</p>
<p>This is from my sister who has had a long career as an OT and is a speaker at many conferences. "I suggest she go to a school that has an actual program. As long as it is an accredited program (through AOTA) it does not matter whether its a private or state school or how great the reputation of the school is. Bottom line is that she’ll have plenty of job options when she gets out. "</p>
<p>Well the jobs are good to know! So I’m assuming she means a school that has you graduate, from there, and they have an accredited program. Not the ones that say " you will go here for 3 years, then transfer to X college in another state that we have an agreement with and finish 2 years there "?? Lots of places have that plan.</p>
<p>In order to practice as a full OT (not an OT assistant) you have to pass a licensing exam, and you can only sit for the exam if you have a masters degree from an accredited OT program. So accreditation matters.</p>
<p>If my D had known she wanted to be an OT in 11th grade, I’d have encouraged her to look at schools that have a combined BA/MS degree that allow you to finish in 5 - 5/12 years. There are a good number of those programs around. (Springfield College and Boston University are two that I know of off the top of my head). </p>
<p>As it was, D didn’t figure out that OT was the career for her until shortly before she graduated high school, and she was already accepted ED to a college that doesn’t offer OT. She LOVES her college though, so she did some research on what undergrad courses would be required as pre-reqs for her to go on to grad school to get her MSOT. As a result she is a psych major and exercise science minor. However, now that she’s really getting ready to apply to grad schools she is finding out that while virtually all programs require you to have taken courses in anatomy & physiology, abnormal psych and developmental psych, some also want a variety of other courses - ranging from sociology to biology to chemistry to physics (and UNH wants neuroanatomy, which almost no one offers). Some require the GRE, some do not. And all are very competitive to get into - though few will tell you exactly HOW competitive - just that they have more applicants than openings in their classes.</p>
<p>So if she can find a combined bachelors/masters 5 year school, that’s the obvious way to go. And be sure it’s AOTA accredited.</p>
<p>If she knows she wants OT, then I would encourage her to look at direct admit programs that can be done in 5 years. And make sure to find out from schools that offer the 3/2 in partnership with another school if that gives any advantage when applying to the OT program. I’ve known several students that just assumed a partnership meant guaranteed acceptance into the OT program at the other school and that is not always the case. Not sure where you’re looking, but in the Midwest, University of Indianapolis has a direct admit program that I believe is well regarded.</p>
<p>My niece graduated a year ago and had three job offers by the time she finished her practical experience. Her program was 3 1/2 years at Westminster College as a psychology major and then a year at Duquesne University before the practicum. I don’t exactly remember the details but I did just look the program up on Westminster’s site. It requires a “B” average and filing proper paperwork to be admitted to Duquesne.</p>
<p>abasket - yes, she is a rising senior who will receive a BA in psychology (minor in exercise science) next May. She will be completing her grad school (MSOT) applications this fall. Most of the deadlines are around Jan 15, with notification dates in March/April. </p>
<p>If OT doesn’t work out this year, she may wait and apply to a broader geographic range of schools next year. A fallback plan is to get a masters in education and focus on special ed. She’s working as an aide in an special ed summer program this year and loves it.</p>
<p>My daughter just completed the first year of her MSOT program at Wash U.<br>
She applied to a wide range of AOTA certified MSOT programs - it is very competitive these days. I would cast a wide net when applying.</p>
<p>My D is starting her junior year at UDel. She is an exercise science major and has a minor in behavior modification. She plans on going for her MOT. Does anyone know anything about the MOT programs on the east coast? My biggest concern is that some of the schools she is looking at have to get their certification renewed during her 2 years. What happens if you start in a program that was accredited but they lose their accreditation before you graduate?</p>