How to become an occupational therapist

How many years does it take to become an occupational therapist?

This pathway would generally take 5 to 5 ½ years (3 years for the undergraduate degree and 2 to 2 ½ years for the master’s program). There may be prerequisite subjects that you must complete in your undergraduate course to be eligible to apply for a master’s program to become an Occupational Therapist .

What qualifications do you need to be an occupational therapist?

Skills required A bachelors or masters degree in occupational therapy. A strong background in biology, physics , health and social sciences. Be able to adapt to a variety of settings. Develop, implement and maintain plans. Strong interpersonal skills .

How hard is it to become an occupational therapist?

The short answer is: YES, occupational therapy school is hard . But so is physical therapy school, nursing school, medical school, pharmacy school, physician’s assistant school, etc. All healthcare degrees are going to be challenging, and for good reason.

What is the best major for occupational therapy?

7 Best Undergraduate Majors for Occupational Therapy Psychology . Psychology was my undergraduate major and the same major as approximately 50% of my OT school cohort (no joke). Kinesiology / Exercise Science . Kinesiology and exercise science are also great majors for occupational therapists. Education . Business. Biology . Sociology . Whatever you’re interested in!

Is occupational therapy a dying career?

OTA is a dying field . There are NO jobs. If you love OT and have some flexibility about getting a job maybe go ahead. If you need to be able to support yourself or a family, I would look at other fields.

Is OT school worth the debt?

Is becoming an occupational therapist worth the cost? The financial answer is yes but there is a significant price to pay. For most occupational therapists, they will have to deal with student loans for 10 to 20 years won’t necessarily be able to celebrate and enjoy that higher income until their loans are dealt with.

Can you be an OT with a bachelor’s degree?

Bachelor’s Degrees for Occupational Therapy . There isn’t any particular undergraduate degree that you must earn before earning your MS in OT ; nearly any bachelor’s degree can suffice.

Can I become an occupational therapist without a degree?

An accredited degree in Occupational Therapy is generally considered a prerequisite for this profession. However, entry without a degree is possible at assistant, technician, or support worker level, where you could then progress to become a fully qualified Occupational Therapist after further study and experience.

How much does it cost to become an occupational therapist?

Becoming an occupational therapist is expensive. If you’re going for the OTR (Master’s or Doctorate) route, you can expect to pay anywhere from $40,000 to well over $100,000 for your degree.

Is occupational therapy school harder than nursing?

OT and PT school are definitely not easier than nursing . Different subject matter in some regards, but not an easy route, especially considering that OT /PT school are graduate level degrees and nursing is only a Bachelors. Graduate programs, as mentioned, are more strict regarding grades.

What is harder nursing school or occupational therapy?

I can tell you that nursing is more physically draining than PT or OT due to the nature of care you provide. A nurse is an invaluable member of the healthcare team indeed. Still, for me I’d say PT or OT is harder . It’s a whole different ballgame when you have to make a diagnosis and actual program for your patient.

How do you survive OT school?

7 Tips To Survive Occupational Therapy School Limit Distractions In Class. Get a Flexible Part-Time Job. Stay Organized. Make Friends! Accept Making Mistakes. Embrace Working With Others. Don’t Forget to Have Fun!

Is Occupational Therapy in demand?

As part of the health sector, OT is a profession in demand and likely to experience employment growth. Health care and social assistance is projected to have the strongest employment growth of any industry over the five years to May 2022.