Hi, I am a junior in highschool and I’m trying(keyword… trying) to make an effort to put together a plan for my future. But, I’m at a standstill with my college searching… I have plugged all my “wants and needs” into multiple college search engines and I come up with the same few schools that really don’t click for me. I’m at that point where I’m feeling helpless!
I think what is hindering my search is my “need” for a specific major… Occupational Therapy. Now, I’ve read a few other things online about what major many OT’s pursue before going to get a masters for OT… but they weren’t very clear on good options for undergraduate majors. Basically, I’m asking what are some options for a prospective Occupational Therapist to major in during undergraduate school?
It’s really excessive that people should have to go through a bachelor’s degree as well as an advanced degree for this.
It’s likely driven in part by people in the profession wanting to keep the supply of job competitors down, thus pay up. If one can do nursing and engineering in 4 years, one should be able to do occupational therapy in 4 years.
I can tell you that as an Occupational Therapist with over 30 years of practice , that much of the information given by @jjwinkle is not the most accurate. To get accurate, up to date information regarding educational requirements I suggest that you research the American Occupational Therapy Association website. Occupational therapy has moved to a masters level program for a variety of reasons , not to keep job competitors down. In terms of licensing , states that accept a BS degree typically accept that degree for professionals that are " grandfathered in" because of years of practice.
In terms of pay and job security, occupational therapists beginning salaries are typically higher than nursing salaries . Nurses job security is no higher than therapists IMO. I’ve seen many years where there have been an abundance of nurses with few available jobs .
And lastly is like to address @jjwinkle 's claim that " arguably Occupational Therapy can be seen as a specialization of nursing". This is far from accurate. While both participate in the rehabilitation process, their frame of reference and approach is completed different. Occupational therapists address the skills needed for everyday living . Their focus is the acquisition of skills to live independently and the restoration of function after an illness , accident , etc. Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings including nursing homes, out patient settings, psychiatric facilities , vocational rehabilitation settings, schools, home health and schools. They can work with patients of all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics. They can provide driver’s rehabilitation , fabricate adaptive equipment, splints, make recommendations for home modifications and train caregivers. As you can see , Occupational Therapy is not as minimalistic as @jjwinkle portrays it. I recommend that you contact a local hospital or nursing home to observe occupational therapists , physical therapists, speech pathologists and nursing to see what health career is most appealing to you so you can make an informed decision.
I know two hs seniors that just chose 5-year OT programs here in the Northeast (Husson in ME and Worcester State in MA),. They are both going to colleges that have many majors but you have to apply to the OT programs going in. The upside is that if at some time in the future they decide it isn’t the right path for them, they can major in something else. I work in a rehab setting that employs PT, OT, SLP…their beginning rates are higher than the nurses and they have a better work environment. There are plenty of jobs in my area, always a shortage, more so than nursing, which also has a shortage. The travelling therapists make a bundle, great idea for someone unattached and willing to relocate every 6-12 months!
As Carolinamom2boys states, OT has many career options within its profession. In addition to a variety settings, like acute, outpatient, skilled nursing facilities, home health and schools you can also work in pediatrics or geriatric. There are specialized certifications like certified hand therapy you may pursue as well. Undergraduate studies in the biological sciences are good but I would take some psychology classes as well. Besides shadowing OTs in different settings, you may also look into rehab tech jobs in the summer or part-time while in school to give you more exposure to the profession and how they interact as part of the interdisciplinary team with PT and SLP.
What? No, no it can’t be. Not arguably, not at all. You can’t really rely on short descriptions on the Internet to give you a full flavor of a career field. There are some similarities between a rehabilitation nurse and an OT, but the scope of practice is quite different. Moreover, ‘specialization of nursing’ has a pretty precise definition; a person who is required to have neither RN or BSN is pretty much by definition not in any specialization of nursing.
A potential OT can major in anything as long as they take the required prerequisites for an OT program, but popular majors are exercise science, kinesiology, psychology, something health-related, and biology or chemistry. I’d also submit that physics is an excellent major, especially when combined with biology or if the university in question has some sort of biophysics track/coursework. The five-year combined programs are something to look into for sure.
OT has evolved quite a bit over the years. I remember trying to hire a masters level OT but the salary I was allowed to offer got me Bachelor’s level candidates. Now, most of the jobs out there require an MSOT.
If I were you, I would look hard at OTD programs because you don’t know where the OT profession is going. It’s moving so fast that an MSOT may not be the “standard” when you’re out in practice in 15-20 years.
To “sit at the table” with the “big boys”, you may need an entry-level doctorate. The physicians, pharmacists, and physical therapists all require doctorate-level degrees. The nurse executives and healthcare administrators in healthcare organizations have PhDs and DHAs, respectively.
Take a look at MSOT programs and the coursework requirements, you’ll see the undergrad majors that work well will be psychology, biology, or kinesiology.
Also, look at 3+2 programs to decrease your time to get an MSOT by 1 year.
Again, you will want at least an MSOT to avail yourself to the most options for jobs when you’re done with your studies. However, who knows when you’re mid-career that MSOT programs will cease and start to graduate OTDs instead. The OT profession is evolving so fast that I would look for OTD programs at this point after a Bachelors.
I started in OT when a bachelors was the requirement. Bachelors was grandfathered in when it became a masters program. OT is already set to go to Doctorate level in 2025. I’m guessing Masters will be grandfathered in at that time. Because PT is currently doctorate MANY MANY students are jumping to OT making the program Highly competitive. I HIGHLY recommend a direct entry OT program (St. Louis U for example). I know so many students currently trying to apply to OT programs post undergrad and are having a difficult time getting accepted due to the high demand.
For what it’s worth I think OT minimum Doctorate level is ridiculous.
Another option is to get your masters , find a job with tuition assistance and look into weekend programs or online doctorate programs so you can be earning an income and gather valuable experience that you can use during your educational experience. When changes occur in a profession , typically the existing professionals are grandfathered in. Just another option .
I am an OT who has practiced for over 30 years. I graduated from a direct entry OT program. As part of that program , I studied kinesiology, psychology, neuroanatomy and gross anatomy( with human direction ) physics , statistics in addition to my OT practice and theory classes. I performed research and completed one 12 week long internship in general rehab and one 12 week long internship in psychiatry. My whole undergraduate experience was focused on the OT profession , and I began OT classes my very first semester. I do believe that there is a place in the profession for the OTD especially in terms of research or academic positions. However, I don’t believe that one needs a doctorate degree to function as an excellent therapist in the day to day therapy profession. We have continuing Ed and competency requirements to maintain licensure that keeps practicing therapists current on therapy trends and requirements. Just my 2 cents.
I agree wholeheartedly with the above.(Carolina mom) I have also practiced for thirty years. I have worked in rehabilitation, acute care, burn unit, prosthetic training. I have been a Certified Hand Therapist for over twenty years. I have done research and have been active in the Hand Therapy association. I have published journal articles and have written several book chapters. Doctorate is not necessary. I have a niece who is MOT. She did not come out of school any more knowledgeable than I did. Her entry level skills were exactly like mine were when I started. I did three three three month clinicals and she did the same. Doctorate, in my opinion, is not necessary as the most critical skills and involvement come within your career. I love the profession. Also just my two cents worth.
You can say what you want but the leadership of your profession states a OTD will be the standard so that’s where it stands.
If my kid were to go into the profession, and she might, I am telling her to get an OTD. I don’t care if 30 years worth of practice will get her knowledgable. If the standard is OTD for NEW occupational therapists, then that’s the degree/credentials she should seek- and then use 30 years of practice to hone her skills.
The profession is saying that if you want an OT license in 2025, then get an OTD. Grandfathering is definitely acceptable because years of clinical practice has to be worth quite a bit.
I never said she shouldn’t go for her OTD. I stated an opinion, as an occupational therapist, that I disagree with needing a doctorate. My opinion certainly isn’t going to change anyone’s requirements. Getting a masters until the requirement is in full effect should be just fine but I understand why someone would start their OTD now. For what it’s worth my employer and many other employers won’t care if you got your OTR via masters or doctorate or even grandfathered in with a bachelors. They only Care that you have achieved your National Board Certification and any State Licenses required. It’s the NBCOT making the rules and increasing education levels not employers.
I also am also not saying that a OT student should not get their OTD . I offered another option of getting a MOT and work, earn some money and experience and look into tuition reimbursement from employers to assist on furthering their education . I don’t believe that someone needs to go straight through to get their OTD. There are great weekend and online programs to facilitate the transition. I do stand by my assertion that the training I received was as intensive as a entry level masters program. I have to renew my national certification with the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board every 3 years and my state licensure board every 2. My license and my certification allow me the same clinical
privileges as a MOT or an OTD .
It’s great if your daughter wants to initially go for her OTD, however please don’t mislead her. I don’t know how old she is but if she is going to graduate before the Doctorate requirement in 2025 I would recommend getting her MOT and working. As I said before employers don’t care. All they care about is NBCOT certification and state licensure. MOT with a year of clinical experience is more employable than a new grad OTD.
I’m doing pre-OT at my university! I’m leaning towards Human Development and Family Science since the major requirements overlap with the pre reqs. As I began my search for grad schools (to see which pre-reqs they look for), they mostly leave the major up to you as long as you complete the pre-reqs and show them that you’re a competitive applicant. Just make sure that your major has other options to it in case OT school doesn’t work out. Good Luck!