What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that helps people improve their ability to do everyday activities. These activities can be things like getting dressed, eating, playing sports, doing school work, and so much more!
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Careers in Occupational Therapy Cover All Areas of Life. What interests YOU?
Working with
Kids
Working with
Older People
Engaging in Mental Health Solutions
The possibilities for working in OT are endless…
Adult rehabilitation • Orthopedics • Ergonomics • Equine therapy • Neurology • Assistive technology • Prevention and wellness • Education • Research • and many more…
CHOOSE
Occupational Therapy
FOR YOUR CAREER
CHOOSE
Occupational Therapy
FOR YOUR CAREER
Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that helps people improve their ability to do everyday activities. These activities can be things like getting dressed, eating, playing sports, doing school work, and so much more!
Occupations are the activities that people do every day to give their life meaning and purpose. Occupations can be done alone or with family members and friends. These activities can be related to:
- Taking care of your body: Bathing, dressing, eating, sexuality, hygiene, toileting, etc.
- Supporting daily living within the home and community: Care of others or pets, driving, shopping, meal prep, communication management, etc.
- Rest and sleep to support healthy, active engagement in other occupations: Engaging, preparing, participating in sleep
- Learning and participating in the educational environment: School participation or personal education
- Committed occupations with or without financial reward: Ensuring you have the skills necessary to perform tasks related to work
- Activities that provide enjoyment, entertainment and amusement: Play exploration and participation
- Leisure: Golf, playing cards, exploring, etc.
- Desired engagement in community and family activities: Family time, friends, peers, etc.
Occupational therapy (OT) is all about helping people do important activities in their everyday lives. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who have challenges with their bodies, thinking, learning, or emotions that make it hard to do daily activities. They help them become independent, learn new skills, make changes to their surroundings, and feel better overall.
Physical therapy (PT) helps people move better and become stronger. Physical therapists work with those who have problems with their bodies, like injuries or difficulties moving. They help them get stronger, more flexible, and able to do things they want to do physically.
PTs help people to walk, OTs help them to dance!
After finishing high school, you’ll go to college and study occupational therapy. Then, you’ll need to pass a national board certification exam to become a professional occupational therapy practitioner and start helping people in hospitals, schools, or other places where they need support.
The amount of time will depend if you want to become an occupational therapist (OT) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA). An OT requires a minimum of a master’s degree, while an OTA is a minimum of an associate’s degree.
The OT and OTA work together. The OT evaluates the client, plans activities that will help the client feel better and get stronger, and completes discharge documents. The OT also provides clinical supervision of the OTA. The OTA implements and documents the activities, and provides feedback to the OT on the client’s progress during treatment.
If you’re thinking about studying occupational therapy, there are plenty of schools that can help you get started. Many community colleges, universities, and colleges have programs for aspiring occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. These programs vary, offering associate degrees, entry-level master’s programs, and even doctoral programs. Use the American Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) for a directory of accredited OT programs in the United States to find the right one for you.
You might wonder what to major in before entering the Occupational Therapy field. The good news is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer! OT programs value diverse backgrounds, so students come from various undergraduate majors. Common ones include psychology, biology, and sociology, but there are OT students with degrees in art, engineering, or business. No matter your major, as long as you meet program prerequisites, you’re on the right track. Having a unique background can bring fresh perspectives to the field. Ready to pursue a career as an Occupational Therapist or an Occupational Therapy assistant? Follow the OT Career Path to get you there.
Occupational therapy is a well-paying profession. The amount of money you can make as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant can vary depending on several factors, such as where you work and how much experience you have.
Occupational therapists make a competitive salary, with a median annual wage of $93,180 in 2022, and the top 10 percent earning over $123,870. As an occupational therapy assistant, you can also expect a good salary, with a median annual wage of $64,250 and the top 10 percent earning over $85,580 in 2022. But remember, it’s not just about the money; it’s about making a positive impact on people’s lives. Salary information for occupational therapists and assistants is based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Yes, occupational therapy is a field of study that you can major in at many community colleges and universities. To become an occupational therapist, you typically need to earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field like psychology, biology, or kinesiology and then complete a master’s or doctoral program in occupational therapy. If you’re interested in becoming an occupational therapy assistant, you can earn an associate’s degree in occupational therapy, and many community colleges offer these programs.
OT is a field that’s GROWING!
Employment in the field is projected to grow by 12%* leading up to 2032 – a much faster rate than other occupations.
*U.S.Bureau of labor and statistics
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