Occupational Therapy: Teaching Creative Activities to All

Occupational Therapy Degree Information

To practice as an occupational therapist (OT) requires at least a master’s degree. An associate’s degree in occupational therapy enables the student to work as an occupational therapy assistant, but not as a full-fledged OT. For the most part, graduate level programs use the traditional educational format of classes at a college or university. Some associate degree programs in OT have an online component, as do post-graduate continuing education OT classes. However, expect to attend regular classes when going for a master’s or doctorate in occupational therapy. Gaining a master’s or doctorate in OT enables the student to work in entry-level positions in hospitals, health clinics, nursing homes, schools, doctor’s offices and a variety of other settings. Occupational therapists help all manner of people, from very young to very old, at every level of capability and performance to achieve independence and quality of life through mastering everyday living tasks. OTs work with children with learning disorders, or with people recovering from an accident or with the elderly struggling with cognitive or physical issues. OTs also work with patients suffering from a mental or emotional disorder, finding ways to help them cope with the tasks of daily life.

Occupational therapy students can expect fieldwork as a large part of their studies. Fieldwork provides students with the opportunity to perform OT duties with patients under the supervision of an experienced therapist. All accredited graduate OT programs require at least 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork. Once they graduate, master’s and doctoral students will take a national certification exam before gaining their license.

Bachelor’s

While obtaining a bachelor’s degree isn’t enough to begin work as an occupational therapist, there are accredited programs that combine bachelor’s and master’s. A combined program accepts students without a bachelor’s degree, awards the bachelor’s and allows the student to continue on with the master’s program. Once the master’s degree is completed, an entry-level master’s degree is awarded. These combined programs accept transfer students.

Master’s

A master’s degree program generally takes two years of coursework and supervised fieldwork. Coursework will focus on human growth throughout the lifespan, physical and mental development, theory and practice of occupational therapy and occupations or activities of infants and children, adolescents, adults and elderly. Computers and assisting technology will also be studied. Fieldwork will consist of working with children, adolescents, adults and the elderly with developmental, physical or mental problems that obstruct their ability to live independently.

Doctor’s

Doctoral level programs train students in much the same way as master’s programs, but with added components of research, clinical practice skills, theory development, administration and leadership. For the doctorate degree, students must complete an experiential section or residency and a final research project.

Coursework

Graduate programs in OT teach courses heavy in occupational therapy practice and theory. Computer and assistive technology are studied, as well as how to adapt these technologies to help people achieve daily tasks and goals. Other courses will include classes such as the following:

• Kinesiology
• Orthotics
• Clinical practice
• Applied neuroscience for the OT
• Occupations of infants and children
• Occupations of adolescents and young adults
• Occupatons of adults and older adults
• Pathophysiology
• Impact of conditions on occupations
• Psychiatric dimensions of therapeutic relationships

Level I and II fieldwork are equally heavy components of graduate level programs. Level I fieldwork entails exposure to OT practice with hands-on experiences in hospitals and nursing homes and other medical settings, schools and community halls. Level II fieldwork is full-time usually for eight weeks in the same sorts of settings. Students will work with people of all ages, from infants to elderly.

Career Opportunities

Occupational therapy opportunities are burgeoning as the population ages. With more people hitting middle and retirement ages, the demand for medical personnel of all kinds grows, including occupational therapists. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that OT employment will grow by 33 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than average. This is true as well for occupational therapy assistants and aides. Occupational therapists find work in hospitals, health clinics, doctor’s offices, in industrial settings, home health care, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. With work available in a wide variety of settings, with a growing demand for OT services, occupational therapists can expect a great decade ahead.

Earning Potential

Full time occupational therapists earn a median salary of $72,320, according to the BLS. With years of experience, OT salaries can increase to over $100,000. Nevada, California, Texas and the District of Columbia pay slightly higher salaries to OTs than other states. Many occupational therapists choose to specialize early on, going into working specifically with children, or the mentally ill or the injured. Specializing can result in higher wages as can working for home health services.