Occupational Therapist Schools
Most Occupational Therapist schools in American colleges or universities have discontinued their bachelor degree programs in occupational therapy. The American Occupational Therapy Association changed the required qualifications to a master degree in 1999. A bachelor degree program in occupational therapy will allow the individual the opportunity to go on to the higher level of educational training.
Occupational Therapist Schools Degree Programs
Bachelor degree programs offered by certain occupational therapist schools allow for advancement into a master degree program. Most occupational therapist schools with BA programs in occupational therapy generally require the coursework to include anatomy and physiology, physics, neurology, occupational therapy theories, occupational performance, assisting technology, gerontology, sociology, child development, abnormal psychology, human behavior, computer science, and communications. Most bachelor degree programs in occupational therapist schools are related to other majors, such as sociology or psychology.
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Schools
Both OTs and OT Assistants are required in most states to be licensed in order to be allowed to work in the field. The amount of training required for OT assistants, however, is shorter, and a lot of time can be completed through online courses. The level of OT assistant salary is accordingly lower than the level of a certified occupational therapist salary.
An occupational therapy master degree program allows individuals to further their professional knowledge and secure their career goals. A master degree program in most occupational therapist schools typically consists of rigorous coursework as well as supervised clinical training. Most graduate degree programs in occupational therapy include courses such as adaptive learning skills, technological intervention, cognitive rehabilitation, occupational therapy theory, human behavior, preventative health care, geriatric occupational therapy, human development, human anatomy and physiology, as well as applied pediatric neuroscience.
Occupational Therapist Schooling Requirements
Graduate students in occupational therapy also participate in a required 24-week long internship developed by their occupational therapist school and primarily focused on developmental field work, psychiatric fieldwork, physical disabilities and occupational therapy seminar. Students who successfully complete all requirements of a master degree program are then allowed to take the national certifying exam offered through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Additional licensing may often be required by the state’s Department of Health Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Most states make continuing education a requirement for license renewal every 2 years.
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Degree Programs
Doctoral degree programs in occupational therapy allow successful candidates to become experts in their field. An occupational therapist who wishes to earn a doctoral degree must complete intensive courses such as foundation in occupational science, occupational research and theory, occupation and human activity and grant writing. A great amount of research is usually required for completion of a publishable dissertation, and receiving the certification. A national certifying exam is offered to all doctoral candidats through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Additional licensing may often be required from a state’s Department of Health Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. A doctorate enables an occupational therapist to establish his or her own private occupational therapy practices as well as become consultants for educational or health care facilities.
Occupational Therapist Schools provide training courses specifically designed to turn aspiring candidates into professional, highly qualified practitioners.
Occupational Therapist Schools
