2 answers
Elizabeth
Student
Omaha, Nebraska
1
Question
Asked
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Do I need to go for my Bachelors or Masters for Occupational Therapy?
I am starting my freshman year of college and I was not given much guidance or really told the difference and how it can help in applying for jobs! #occupational-therapy
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2 answers
Kaitlyn Corey
Occupational Therapy Assistant/Occupational Therapy Student
60
Answers
Graniteville, South Carolina
Updated
Kaitlyn’s Answer
To become an occupational therapist, you need a master’s degree. That’s the entry-level requirement in the United States. Your bachelor’s is the first step. Most people major in something like health sciences, psychology, or biology, but there’s no single “right” major. What matters most is finishing your prerequisites for OT school. Once you finish your bachelor’s, you’ll apply to a master’s program in OT. That’s where you’ll get the hands-on training, clinical fieldwork, and skills to sit for the licensing exam. If you’re not sure yet, you can also look into becoming an OTA, which only requires an associate’s degree and bridge later. That’s a different role, but it can be a stepping stone. I know it feels overwhelming, but you’re already on the right path by asking. Start with your bachelor’s, keep your grades solid, and shadow or volunteer with an OT if you can. That experience will help you feel confident when it’s time for graduate school applications.
Corinne Rubin
Occupational Therapist
20
Answers
Silver Spring, Maryland
Updated
Corinne’s Answer
Hi, Glad that you want to become an OT.
AOTA which is the American OT Association states that today the minimum education is a masters in OT. Typically your undergraduate needs all the pre requisite classes to apply for the Masters program . The new option is also a Doctoral degree in OT and some programs combine the masters and OTD into one program.
You can look on the AOTA website , it may give you some ideas re schools and what is required.
there are also two fieldwork requirements to gain supervised clinical experience before being able to take the OT board exams.
I hope that helps a little.
Corinne
AOTA which is the American OT Association states that today the minimum education is a masters in OT. Typically your undergraduate needs all the pre requisite classes to apply for the Masters program . The new option is also a Doctoral degree in OT and some programs combine the masters and OTD into one program.
You can look on the AOTA website , it may give you some ideas re schools and what is required.
there are also two fieldwork requirements to gain supervised clinical experience before being able to take the OT board exams.
I hope that helps a little.
Corinne