How to Get a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists help people with mental, physical, emotional, and developmental conditions lead more functional lives. These highly trained professionals seek to improve independence and productivity for their patients by teaching them tangible skills that will help them in their daily work and home lives. Whether this means compensating for permanent loss of function or developing skills to improve a disabling condition, occupational therapists are equipped to deal with a myriad of patient challenges.

Prepare for your career in occupational therapy by thoroughly researching master's degree programs and making an informed decision regarding your future. Look to this guide as a tool to take you step-by-step through the process of choosing and applying to a graduate occupational therapy program.

Requirements for Practicing Occupational Therapists

A master's in occupational therapy can prepare you to enter this rewarding field with confidence. The MS in occupational therapy is often a basic educational requirement for work as an occupational therapist. In addition to your master's degree in occupational therapy, most states also require:

• Attending a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• Passing a national certifying exam
• Completing at least 24 weeks of training in the field

Each state regulates occupational therapists differently. In a handful of states, a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy may be the minimum educational requirement for professional practice. In most cases, however, a master's in occupational therapy is required. Occupational therapist licensing requirements vary by state.

A Guide to the MS in Occupational Therapy

This guide to graduate degree programs in occupational therapy can help you focus your career goals and choose the right master's degree program for you.

Occupational therapy combines aspects of science and social science curriculum (such as biology, physiology, psychology, and anatomy) to produce real results for patients in need. Naturally, a background in these subjects will be helpful in pursuing your master's in occupational therapy. If you don't have an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy, a science or social science major would be the next most relevant concentration.

Master's Degrees in Occupational Therapy

A bachelor's degree is a requirement that must be completed before advancing to the graduate degree level. A number of schools are now offering combined bachelor's and master's programs that prepare students for work as occupational therapists in about five years.

A graduate degree in occupational therapy may go by one of several names, including:

• Master of Occupational Therapy
• Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Therapy
• Master of Health Science in Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy Specializations

Occupational therapists work with a wide range of patients. They may choose to specialize in one particular area, or diversify their practice by helping clients with a variety of conditions. Some areas of specialization for occupational therapists include:

• Permanent physical disability such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury
• Managing disabilities in the work place
• Childhood specialization, such as elementary school occupational therapist
• Infant and toddler early intervention therapy
• Elderly care
• Mental health and emotional development

An occupational therapist's duties and objectives may be very different from one patient to the next. For work with infants and toddlers, for example, the emphasis is usually on prevention or early intervention of developmental delays, and exercises may include listening, following directions, or interacting with others. An occupational therapist working with the elderly may have an entirely different set of objectives, like prolonging driving independence and creating a safe home environment. Each type of patient presents unique criteria, and an occupational therapist must have the training to meet these challenges.

Work environments for occupational therapists can be as diverse as the specialties available. Many occupational therapists are employed by hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and ambulatory health care services. Other places of employment may be physicians' offices, home health care services, government agencies, or community care facilities. Some occupational therapists work full-time for one employer, while others--about 31 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics--work part-time. It's not unusual for occupational therapists to work part-time for more than one employer.

How to Apply for a Master's in Occupational Therapy

After considering the different career paths and specialties available to occupational therapists, it is time to hone your sights on a master's degree program. This important selection process requires thoughtful research and evaluation. Utilize this guide to help you in the process of choosing and applying to an occupational therapy master's degree program.

Part One: Find the Right Occupational Therapy Graduate Degree Program for You

The following step-by-step guide outlines the process researching graduate programs for occupational therapy. References and links are included throughout for your convenience.

1. Develop a List of Accredited Master's Programs for Occupational Therapy

Begin your search by compiling a list of the different programs available for the master's in occupational therapy. Accreditation is key to finding a quality program.

Doing your homework regarding the different types of programs available for the MS in occupational therapy is key to making an informed choice. WorldWideLearn.com offers a comprehensive database of online master's programs.

2. Choose a Degree Format: Online, Campus, or Hybrid

Today's students have a lot of options when it comes to their education. Online graduate programs and traditional campus programs both offer a lot for students, and it can be overwhelming sorting through the options and finding the best degree program for you. Assessing your personal needs can help you decide whether to earn a master's degree online, through a traditional on-campus program, or through a combination of the two.

Online master's degree programs can offer flexibility and convenience, and are often particularly attractive to working students. Interactive features can connect students to their professors and classmates while eliminating the need for a commute, and many schools offer impressive online libraries for research.

Earning a master's degree on campus is preferable for some students, especially those who prefer a more traditional approach to education. If the experience of campus learning is a must for you, then a strictly online graduate program may not be the right choice for you. However, many online grad schools offer hybrid programs, with some time required on campus and the rest attended online.

Ultimately, it is your choice whether to earn a master's degree online or on campus, and your decision should be made through careful research and evaluating the pros and cons of each. You can explore your options at WorldWideLearn.com's Online Degree Programs and Campus Education sections.

3. Explore Academic Programs

The next step in your selection process is to learn more about the programs you're considering for your MS in occupational therapy. There are some basic criteria you should evaluate in each program to ensure that the one you choose is a good fit for you, including:

• Faculty profiles and areas of expertise
• Subjects at which the school excels
• Curriculum and course requirements
• Departmental resources

These resources may be helpful in your search:

• WorldWideLearn.com can assist in the process by matching you with schools that meet your specifications.
• School Web sites offer information about their graduate programs, including course guides, faculty bios, degree requirements, and more.
• Academic journals, such as the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, can provide you with information on leading programs and academics in the field.

4. Evaluate Program Quality

Now it's time to develop a short list of master's programs, based on your academic needs and how those match with your top choice schools. When evaluating the quality of a program, consider the following factors:

• Reputation
• Selectivity
• Graduation Rate
• Job Placement Statistics
• Career Support Services

Remember to balance the school's criteria with your own academic history and application materials. Master's degree programs will be evaluating your credentials, too, and the ultimate goal is to find the best fit between student and graduate program.

Part Two: Apply to Master's Programs in Occupational Therapy

1. Submit Your Application Materials

The graduate programs you apply to should provide you with clear, direct instructions for application materials, prerequisites for admission, and any other information pertaining to your application. General standards include:

• Completion of educational prerequisites, i.e. a bachelor's degree program
• Standardized test scores from GRE or similar
• Academic transcripts
• Letters of recommendation from faculty or professionals
• Personal statement or essay

2. Apply for Financial Aid

Begin the financial aid process as soon as possible to ensure best results. Financial aid is usually either need-based or merit-based, and may come from any of the following:

• Government loans, grants, or scholarships
• Departmental financial aid packages
• Private companies or foundations

Whether you choose distance graduate education or on-campus education for your master's degree, WorldWideLearn.com's Scholarship and Financial Aid section can offer some helpful information for financing your education.

Part Three: Prepare for Your Graduate Program

It may seem like the hard part is over once you've finished your graduate school applications, but really you're just beginning an exciting academic and career path. To make sure you're prepared, even before your first day of classes, be sure to:

• Join academic and professional organizations like the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Contact working occupational therapists and see if they are willing to talk about the profession with you
• Subscribe to academic journals to keep up to date on the latest news and developments in occupational therapy.

Taking Steps Forward: Where Occupational Therapy Is Headed

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational therapists should enjoy much faster than average job growth in the decade ending in 2018. An aging elderly population will spur some of this growth, making opportunities for occupational therapists working with the elderly particularly good. The BLS also reports that occupational therapists with specialized training may be in particularly high demand.

The future looks bright for occupational therapists, so don't wait to pursue a rewarding career with excellent prospects. Begin the path to becoming an occupational therapist by applying for your master's in occupational therapy today.

Sources

• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Therapists" (2008)
• American Journal of Occupational Therapy
• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)