Before you can practice occupational therapy you must first graduate from an accredited occupational therapy school. Although some programs offer a doctoral degree, most occupational therapists enter the field with their master’s. Schools are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, or ACOTE, which is part of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Most programs have a limited number of seats available, and they receive numerous applications, so it’s important for applicants to meet all requirements set forth by the AOTA, ACOTE, and the school to which they are applying. For example, Samuel Merritt University interviews an average of 150 prospective students each year, but only accepts thirty-six into their Master’s program, while Colorado State University receives approximately 400 applications each year, but only accepts 15 – 22 students.
Required prerequisite classes for a master’s of occupational therapy program commonly include anatomy and physiology, human behavior, sociology or anthropology, and human anatomy, as well as general courses such as English, math, and science. Each school lists their required prerequisite courses on their web site.
All ACOTE programs are designed to help you prepare for and pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. Most schools show an 80 – 95 percent passing rate for their students, and the 2010 University of South Alabama, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program had a first-time 100 percent passing rate.
Applying to Occupational Therapist School
The application process for occupational therapist schools has been made easier through the OT Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). This service is provided by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and offers a full-service web-based application and admissions process. OTCAS allows prospective students to transfer transcripts, references, test scores, OT observations hours, essay, supplemental materials, and other important items.
Cost of Occupational Therapy School
The cost of occupational therapy school will depend on the, location and size of the school, and whether it is public or private. At the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Diego (a public school), tuition for the 2011 – 2012 academic year was $10,695 per trimester, while tuition for the 2012 – 2013 academic year rose to $11,150 per trimester. At Loma Linda University, a private school, the three-year Masters of Occupational Therapy program costs approximately $79,560. Unfortunately, these prices typically do not include additional expenses such as books, supplies, room and board, and application fees.
List of Occupational Therapy Schools
Occupational Therapy Schools in Alabama
Occupational Therapy Schools in Alaska
Occupational Therapy Schools in Arizona
Occupational Therapy Schools in Arkansas
Occupational Therapy Schools in California
Occupational Therapy Schools in Colorado
Occupational Therapy Schools in Connecticut
Occupational Therapy Schools in Florida
Occupational Therapy Schools in Georgia
Occupational Therapy Schools in Idaho
Occupational Therapy Schools in Illinois
Occupational Therapy Schools in Indiana
Occupational Therapy Schools in Iowa
Occupational Therapy Schools in Kansas
Occupational Therapy Schools in Kentucky
Occupational Therapy Schools in Louisiana
Occupational Therapy Schools in Maine
Occupational Therapy Schools in Maryland
Occupational Therapy Schools in Massachusetts
Occupational Therapy Schools in Michigan
Occupational Therapy Schools in Minnesota
Occupational Therapy Schools in Mississippi
Occupational Therapy Schools in Missouri
Occupational Therapy Schools in Nebraska
Occupational Therapy Schools in Nevada
Occupational Therapy Schools in New Hampshire
Occupational Therapy Schools in New Jersey
Occupational Therapy Schools in New Mexico
Occupational Therapy Schools in New York
Occupational Therapy Schools in North Carolina
Occupational Therapy Schools in North Dakota
Occupational Therapy Schools in Ohio
Occupational Therapy Schools in Oklahoma
Occupational Therapy Schools in Oregon
Occupational Therapy Schools in Pennsylvania
Occupational Therapy Schools in Rhode Island
Occupational Therapy Schools in South Carolina
Occupational Therapy Schools in South Dakota
Occupational Therapy Schools in Tennessee
Occupational Therapy Schools in Texas
Occupational Therapy Schools in DC
Occupational Therapy Schools in Utah
Occupational Therapy Schools in Virginia
Occupational Therapy Schools in Washington
Occupational Therapy Schools in West Virginia
Occupational Therapy Schools in Wisconsin
Occupational Therapy Schools in Wyoming
