A Brief History of Ocupational Therapy Degrees
Occupational therapy degrees teach students the theories and practices applied to working with patients with disabilities or elderly patients who need assistance regaining physical tasks that can help them lead independent lives. The origins of the field can be traced back to injuries sustained as a result of the increasing industrialization of the world and the effects of modern warfare. Courses and externships are designed to prepare students to work in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, community centers, schools and with patients at their homes. As the industry continues to grow, it is also becoming more specialized. As a result, prospective students should prepare to choose a concentration such as mental health therapy, physical disabilities or elderly care. A student must complete at least a master’s degree to become an occupational therapist, however students can become a medical assistant in the field through an associate’s degree
Delving Into Occupational Therapy Majors
In addition to obtaining a master’s degree, occupational therapists must attend an academic program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) in order to be able to take the national certifying exam to gain the title of Occupational Therapist Registered, or OTR. Some states require additional licensing as well and those looking to pursue a career in a school or in early intervention may need additional education-related classes. Once a student has completed those items they will be able to begin practice. Coursework in occupational therapy programs includes learning the science behind physical, biological and behavioral issues of patients in need of occupational therapy as well as developing the physical and mental skills needed to apply them. Four-year occupational therapy programs will consist of developing a firm medical background in the first two years, consisting mostly of science-heavy classroom coursework, while the remaining two years are spent learning hands-on fieldwork. Fieldwork usually takes place primarily in the final year. For bachelor’s graduates seeking to pursue a master’s in occupational therapy, the most common degree backgrounds include biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts or anatomy majors. Accredited programs a minimum of 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork as part of the academic curriculum.
Degree Levels:
Associates
While currently students are unable to become an occupational therapist thought exclusive online coursework, one option for students looking to gain entry into the field through online courses is to pursue an associate’s degree as a medical assistant. By pursuing this rout graduates can gain an entry level position as an occupational therapists aid. Associate’s programs are designed to establish a solid understanding of medical science and build a platform through human anatomy, physiology and microbiology. Students will also be educated in basic psychology courses, which can be especially helpful in occupational therapy. Expect references for most health science programs to be almost entirely made up of text books.
Supplementing Occupational Therapy Majors
While it is important for occupational therapists to possess a strong background in general medical knowledge, it is much more important to be able to work well with a patient one-on-one. Occupational therapists must possess and develop patience and be able to gain a person’s trust as they are called upon to help patients regain simple functions of daily life. These tasks can range from cooking, to getting dressed to using a computer. Since there are several different specialties that exist within the field, students pursuing a degree may want to tailor their additional education to a chosen specialty such as working with children, helping permanently disabled patients or working with the elderly. It is also very important to develop strong interpersonal skills and pursue additional courses in communication. This can help students instruct and rehabilitate patients. Since a large portion of debilitating injuries are head, neck and back related, taking addition courses in neurology and psychology will allow students to gain a better understanding of what caused the debilitation, how it affects the patient mentally and provide insight into treating the issue. Another important skill for an occupational therapist to possess is the ability to be an effective problem solver. Since therapists are responsible for teaching problem solving skills to their patients, being an effective problem solver can help a therapist quickly determine the best way for a patient to approach and complete a task or problem. The best way to develop those skills in a classrooms setting is through leadership and critical thinking courses.
Learn More About the Occupational Therapy Major
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Therapists
- Princeton Review: Occupational Therapist Overview
- The American Occupational Therapy Association
Occupational Therapy Majors in the Job Market
According to the United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment for occupational therapists will increase by 26 percent by 2018. Growth will result, similarly to other medical professions, from the increasing population of the elderly in the United States as well as the increasing number of those with disabilities or limited function. As a person gets older it significantly increases the likelihood of heart attack and stroke. In most cases those affected will require therapy services during recovery. Advances in modern medicine have also resulted in the survival of more patients who suffer critical problems, which creates a need for extensive therapy. One item that has limited growth of the industry, however, is Federal legislation that imposes limits on reimbursement for therapy services. Hospitals employ a large number of occupational therapists to provide service to inpatients with acute problems as well as to further development of outpatients once they have completed hospital treatment. The field has also seen significant growth in schools resulting from federally funded services for disabled students. Therapists are needed to help children with disabilities progress through special education programs. The Bureau reports that occupational therapists earned a median annual income of $66,780 as of May, 2008, with the middle 50 percent earning between $55,090 and $81,290. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $42,820, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $98,310. In the workplace, occupational therapists are on their feet for most of the day and frequently need to perform physically strenuous tasks such as lifting and moving patients and equipment and operating machines and tools used in the rehabilitation process. Occupational therapist who work in rehabilitation centers usually work in spacious rooms with several machines and devices used for therapy. Therapists working for one employer full-time usually work a 40-hour week, but about 31 percent of therapists work part-time according to the Bureau. It is also common practice for therapists to work for more than one employer at multiple facilities which may involve significant travel time. Those who work at schools may have to participate in activities after a regular school day to complete treatments and other tasks.
Careers I Can Get with This Degree:
