Online Occupational Therapy Degrees

Students interested in pursuing a career as an occupational therapist may want to consider earning an online medical degree in occupational therapy. Online occupational therapy degrees teach students the theories and practices applied to working with patients with disabilities or elderly patients, all of whom need assistance with mastering physical
tasks that can help them lead independent lives. Course work, externships, and class discussions will prepare students to work in rehab centers, hospitals, community centers and with patients at their homes. Students should look for online occupational therapy degree programs that allow them to choose an area of concentration or at least take a variety of classes that mirrors the diverse nature of the industry. Some areas of concentration include mental health therapy, physical disabilities, and elderly care. Online occupational therapy programs may be offered as occupational therapy assistant training programs or as occupational therapist programs, which require students to complete graduate work.

Occupational therapists must have a master’s degree to find entry-level work, but occupational therapy assistants usually only have to complete an associate’s degree. Both kinds of degrees are available online, though associate’s degrees are more popular. Introductory level students will take courses in anatomy and physiology, biology, medical terminology, mental health, gerontology, pediatrics, and more specialized courses. Even in an online degree program, students will probably be required to complete an externship somewhere in their community at a rehab center or other patient care center to receive supervised hands-on training. Occupational therapist assistant programs should also prepare students to sit for national certification exam so that they can become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, making them eligible for entry-level employment.

The job outlook for occupational therapists is very good, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS expects the number of occupational therapist positions to increase 23 percent by 2016, which is much faster than the national average for all other jobs. As the country’s aging population increases, the need for qualified, certified occupational therapists will continue to grow as well. The most jobs will be found at hospitals, rehab centers and orthopedic care centers. Occupational therapist assistants should also expect to see more job growth over the next few years. They will be able to find jobs in smaller health care offices under certified occupational therapists, and in nursing care facilities and hospitals. Occupational therapist assistants who graduated from associate degree programs rather than diploma programs will find that they have more opportunities for work and for promotion. Going back to school to become a master’s degree-holding occupational therapist will also increase their career prospects and significantly boost their starting salaries.