What it’s about:

Occupational therapy is the use of “occupation” (work, self-care, and play/leisure) to help people who are affected by developmental, psychosocial, or physical problems to achieve or regain independent function, enhance development, and prevent injury. You must have a master’s degree or higher in order to be certified as an occupational therapist. In college you take the prerequisite courses needed to be admitted into the graduate program.

What the study of this major is like:

Occupational therapists help people who may have conditions that make it hard for them to function. These conditions may include developmental problems (such as learning disabilities), psychosocial issues (eating disorders), physical problems (arthritis or repetitive stress injury), the aging process (difficulty seeing or hearing), poverty, or cultural differences. OTs start by considering people’s surroundings, evaluating their performance of everyday tasks, and assessing their personal goals. Then they use various activities to help the clients function with greater independence and to make the most of their abilities. Finally, OTs determine how well the therapy has worked.

To become an OT, you must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy examination (NBCOT). Those who pass the exam are awarded the title “Occupational Therapist Registered* (OTR), and are eligible for state licensure.

Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors

As of January 1, 2007, in order to qualify for the exam, you must graduate from an accredited graduate program in OT, at either the master’s or doctorate degree level. In college, this major is now primarily a preprofessional program made up of prerequisite courses that will prepare you for admission into a graduate program in OT.

These prerequisite courses generally include one year (two semesters) of anatomy and physiology, English, statistics, and sociology, and usually three semesters of general and developmental psychology. In addition, most graduate programs require you to be certified in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and to have at least 50 hours of volunteer experience working with a licensed OTR. A course in mechanical physics (related to movement and/or principles or movement) is often recommended, although not required.

You can major in anything you want in college so long as you take the prerequisite courses, but the most popular majors are biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts and anatomy. Quite a few colleges offer a combined bachelor’s/master’s program that allows you to entre as a college freshman, and continue straight through to the OT graduate degree in five years.

Once you get into the graduate program, the curriculum includes the study of normal maturation, trauma, and aging; and the varied way in which therapists can help people whose ability to do normal activities is threatened or impaired. Programs generally consist of lecture courses; in which you practice and analyze skills; and fieldwork training in clinical settings.

In courses on occupational theory and practice, you do closely supervised fieldwork, where you observe and then treat clients in hospitals, schools, or other facilities. As you advance in the program this fieldwork becomes full-time, for a minimum of 24 week; also under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapist.

Fieldwork is the most demanding part of your studies because you must apply, in a real-world setting, what you’ve learned in class and the lab. However, students typically enjoy fieldwork immensely, and their enthusiasm helps them complete the program.

Career options and trends:

Occupational therapist*; researcher; industrial ergonomist; instructor; master clinician; health care administrator.

In addition to requiring successful completion of the NBCOT exam, most states have licensing standards. Practitioners must also renew their certification every three years.

Job prospects are excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth in this field to increase much faster than average through 2018 and beyond. That’s because as society ages, occupational therapists will be more in demand.

The largest number of occupational therapists are employed by hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term-care facilities, and also school providing services for children with disabilities.

Because the profession has been underutilized, many areas of practice have yet to be developed. Emerging areas of practice include evaluation, rehabilitation, and training for driving skills; consultation on accessibility design and home modification; ergonomics and workplace modification; assistive device development; services for those with impaired vision; and private practice in community health services.

Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors