A master's degree is required to become an occupational therapist. Students can either earn a bachelor's degree in a related field, like biology or physiology, before advancing to a master's program, or they can apply for a combined bachelor's/master's program.

Can you practice OT with a Bachelor's degree?

You must graduate from a NBCOT accredited university with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a occupational therapy related field in order to obtain a license as a Registered Occupational Therapist in California.

What bachelors degree should I get to become an occupational therapist?

Bachelor's Degrees for Occupational Therapy

• Occupational Therapy or Pre-Occupational Therapy. ...
• Kinesiology and Exercise Science/Physiology. ...
• Psychology. ...
• Biology.

Is occupational therapy a BS or BA?

The undergraduate curriculum leads to the Bachelor of Science with a major in Occupational Therapy.

What is Bachelor in occupational therapy?

Bachelor in Occupational Therapy

Bachelors of Occupational Therapy, also known as BOT, is an undergraduate program in the field of science. ... BOT trains students to become skilled professional occupational therapists who are capable of undertaking independent/supervised practice.

Life as an Occupational Therapy Degree Student | Health Sciences | University of Southampton

37 related questions found

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

To become an occupational therapist, you will need to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree and pass the required licensure exams. You can expect to spend six to seven years in school: four years for an undergraduate degree and two to three years for a graduate degree (if attending on a full-time basis).

How much do OTS make?

Occupational Therapists made a median salary of $84,950 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $101,590 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $69,710.

Is occupational therapy a dying field?

Is Ota a dying field? OTA is a dying field. There are NO jobs. If you love OT and have some flexibility about getting a job maybe go ahead.

Is it hard to become an Occupational Therapist?

The short answer is: YES, occupational therapy school is hard. ... These programs want to ensure you're equipped to competently and safely work in the healthcare field, so you're going to have a good amount of science classes involved in any of these programs, along with challenging clinical/fieldwork rotations.

Is occupational therapy a major?

What is a major in occupational therapy? A major in occupational therapy is an undergraduate major that will allow you to continue on to get your master's in occupational therapy. In order to be an occupational therapist, you need both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree.

What is a competitive GPA for OT school?

Programs will have “Minimum of 3.0 GPA required.” However, even with a 3.50 you are still competing with tons of other applications with 3.8's – 4.0's. But don't let this completely stress you out. If you're about to graduate, your overall GPA is not something you can change drastically.

What is the easiest OT school to get into?

Let's begin our list of 10 easiest occupational therapy schools to get into.

• Western New Mexico, New Mexico. ...
• Vincennes University, Indiana. ...
• Community College of Baltimore County, Maryland. ...
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Mississippi. ...
• East Mississippi Community College, Mississippi.

Is PT or OT school harder?

Historically, PT programs have been more difficult to get into than OT, but in the past few years the number of applicants to OT programs have literally grown exponentially.

What is the highest paid occupational therapist?

According to the BLS, as of May 2020, the highest paying industries and their average salary for occupational therapists include:

• Nursing care facilities: $92,260 per year.
• Home healthcare services: $91,830 per year.
• Hospitals: $86,910 per year.
• Offices: $86,830 per year.
• Elementary and secondary schools: $76,560 per year.

Is occupational therapy still a good career?

Summary: OT is a good career because it offers a flexible schedule, comfortable salary and the ability to choose where you work. ... Occupational therapy is a good career choice for anyone who wants to get into the healthcare field and work directly with patients to make their lives easier.

Are Ota jobs in demand?

Occupational therapy assistants are in high demand. The career outlook for occupational therapy assistants is extremely bright-the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 43% employment growth by 2022. In fact, this career is one of the fastest growing healthcare professions.

How can an ot make 6 figures?

1. Work in a SNF or Home Health. These are some of the highest paid settings for occupational therapists. ...
2. Work in an environment that offers bonuses/incentives. ...
3. Work in a place that offers overtime pay. ...
4. Work weekends. ...
5. Sign up to do travel therapy. ...
6. Move to a rural location. ...
7. Avoid salaried positions. ...
8. Specialize.

Do occupational therapists make more than nurses?

However, OTs have a salary in many settings such as a hospital, where RNs do not. RNs can work overtime and get time and 1/2 and make $100,000 if they work overtime a lot. OTs can also make more by working in contract positions on top of their regular job, or in private practice.

What is rn salary?

Most registered nurses begin their career on a salary between $60,000 – $65,000.

Is an OT degree worth it?

Occupational Therapy is a very rewarding profession. Aside from the rewarding career, an OT can expect a stable career with prospects of earning about $84,000/year on average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you have to go to uni to be an occupational therapist?

To become an occupational therapist, you'll need a degree in occupational therapy, which usually takes three years full time or up to six years part time. In postgraduate studies, it's possible to gain a Masters degree in one to two years.

What is the degree for occupational therapy?

A Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is the most direct pathway. If you have an undergraduate degree already, you can redirect your career by studying a Master of Occupational Therapy. Be mindful you may need to satisfy pre-requisite subjects to qualify for a master's degree.

Who gets paid more occupational therapist or physical therapist?

Physical Therapists focus on helping patients recover range of motion and decrease pain after an injury or illness. The average salary for an OT is $83,200 per year. Th average salary for a PT is $86,850 per year.

Is occupational therapist a nurse?

“In fact, one hundred years ago, many of the first occupational therapists were actually specially trained nurses.” ... Other similarities include the fact that nurses and occupational therapists are often found working in the same settings (schools, hospitals, community-based care settings).

What do you do if you don't get into OT school?

If this is the case for you, just remember these six tips:

1. It's okay to be upset. ...
2. Many people get into OT school on the second (even third) application process. ...
3. Look at your application and find room for improvement. ...
4. Take the next year to really beef up your application. ...
5. Budget for increased applications for next year.