Navigating the Path: Undergraduate Requirements for Occupational Therapy

Do you enjoy helping others improve their lives, especially when they struggle with health challenges? Do you love science and working with people? If so, a career in occupational therapy (OT) might be a great fit for you. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages to enable them to perform activities associated with work and/or daily living. OTs are considered allied health professionals. They work alongside physicians, physician assistants, nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists, respiratory therapists, and many other health practitioners to help patients achieve the best possible care outcomes. By preventing injury, adapting an activity for a client with injury or disability, or restoring skills following injury, the ultimate goal is to give the client more independence and a better quality of living. The OT field is rapidly growing as demand steadily increases and interest in the profession expands. This article explores the undergraduate requirements for occupational therapy programs, providing a roadmap for aspiring OTs.

Understanding Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) is a form of rehabilitation that helps people change their habits to change their health. OTs are unique in that they use evidence-based interventions to help patients participate in the activities they find most meaningful. That means the care delivered by OTs is extremely holistic and tailored to each individual patient. While other rehabilitation professionals are also trained in helping patients regain function, OTs are unique in their ability to address both mental health and social determinants of health.

An OT’s day is usually spent working with a series of patients on a set schedule. OTs evaluate and assess patient needs, then create and follow therapy plans of care (POCs) consisting of discrete goals for functional recovery. Much of an OT’s job involves troubleshooting patient challenges and determining the right types of interventions to address those problems. It’s worth noting that OTs spend quite a bit of their time filling out paperwork, too. Each patient’s case must be documented, and the documentation rules and frameworks set forth by different payers and regulatory entities can be very involved. That means that occupational therapists realistically spend a significant portion of each day writing notes about cases and communicating with other members of the care team.

Occupational therapists blend science with a healthy dose of compassion and creativity. OTs need to be somewhat analytical, but also patient and encouraging. They should enjoy science (especially anatomy and kinesiology) and like working with the general public. Much of what an OT does involves educating patients, family members, and caregivers-so it’s vital that OTs understand how to effectively teach and communicate. OTs also need to be very safety-oriented. Much of an OT’s job centers on keeping patients and family members safe, which can be a challenge. Lastly, a good OT should be able to work collaboratively with others on a multidisciplinary team. Much of an OT’s work involves providing a holistic perspective on what a patient truly wants out of the recovery process.

Basic Steps to Becoming an Occupational Therapist

To begin, here are the 5 basic steps for becoming an occupational therapist.

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Complete the Educational Requirements: The first step to becoming an occupational therapist is completing the educational requirements for acceptance into OT school.
Gain Volunteer/Observation Hours: While you are working on your undergraduate degree, you may need to start logging the required volunteer/observation hours for occupational therapy school. Each program has its own requirements, but you’ll generally want to work in at least a few different settings, and it’s also wise to explore different types of patient populations.
Take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination): In addition to earning relatively high marks in your undergrad program, you will likely need to take the GRE (graduate record examination) and pass with a decent score.
Pursue a Master’s or Doctorate Degree: This is a big step. You’ll need to decide whether you want to pursue a master’s degree or a doctorate degree. You can use the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) to apply to multiple schools.
Continuing Education: You will then need to take continuing education courses throughout your career to keep your license active. (This is the case in nearly all states, though there are a few exceptions.

Educational Pathways: Master's vs. Doctorate

There are currently two entry-level degrees: master’s degree and doctorate degree. While some OTs are grandfathered in from the days when a bachelor’s degree was standard, a master’s degree is now required as entry-level OT education. The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT or MOT) degree program length is usually 2-2.5 years. Choosing whether to pursue a master’s or doctorate as your entry-level degree is a major decision. The good news is that, unlike physical therapists, you’re not required to get a doctorate degree in order to apply for licensure. If you’re concerned about debt load, one option is to become an occupational therapy assistant (OTA), which only requires an associate’s degree.

USAHS is a leading choice for aspiring OTs - we offer two graduate occupational therapy programs: a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). USAHS’ OT programs boast expert faculty practitioners, compassionate support, cutting-edge technology, progressive learning models and a flexible curriculum.

Selecting an Undergraduate Major

Occupational therapy programs do not require a particular major for admission. Pre-OT students may select any major and degree to combine with the courses required for admission to occupational therapy school. You should select a major in which you are genuinely interested, in which you can excel, and one that provides latitude to pursue an alternate career path if you choose not to attend occupational therapy school.

As you can see, these courses may lend themselves to a psychology or science major as an undergraduate. There is a good chance you can get all of the prereqs in regardless of your major. For example, I was a religion major in college. For me, this was the perfect preparation, because it helped me get a high-level perspective on how humans experience meaning and craft their lives accordingly.

Zachary Solomon (Class of 2026), San Diego State University (Undergraduate Institution): "I decided to pursue occupational therapy after having worked under one as an aide and learned the different approaches that occupational therapists can take in order to help their patients recover. I was really pulled in by the holistic approach and the flexibility to be able to practice in a huge variety of settings and specialties… In undergrad, I learned a lot about body mechanics and health issues that can interfere with proper functioning."
Kyra Sims (Class of 2026), California State University, Fullerton (Undergraduate Institution): "I became interested in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy when my grandfather suffered a stroke, and I didn’t know how to help him. After seeing the amazing work that his occupational therapist did to help him regain his independence, I realized my calling. I wanted to give hope to a granddaughter that his occupational therapist gave to me… Psychology helped prepare me for Baylor’s OTD program when it came to the neurological and mental health aspects of occupational therapy. Going into these classes, I felt prepared and had a vast amount of background knowledge that I was able to apply to my current studies. I have been able to apply my knowledge of neurological development, mental health, and neurological and mental disabilities to all my classes! I think undergraduate students who are studying psychology should pursue a career in occupational therapy because mental health is a vital part of occupational therapy. Although, as occupational therapists, we are often treating physical disabilities or helping patients perform everyday tasks, there is always a mental health aspect to every individual."
Aubrey Zipter (Class of 2025), Colorado State University (Undergraduate Institution): "What initially drew me to occupational therapy was that it combined skills from several fields I was passionate about-such as the empathy and advocacy found in social work, leadership and creativity found in teaching, problem-solving found in nursing, etc. Occupational therapy blends all these elements into a holistic, client-centered approach by looking at physical, psychological, and environmental factors affecting an individual’s life. After shadowing a pediatric occupational therapist my freshman year and seeing how it can positively impact the trajectory of children’s lives, I felt even more certain of this career path… My major provided me a strong understanding of behavior, personality, diagnoses, and interpersonal relationships. Courses in psychology, sociology, and health and exercise science-along with Human Development and Family Studies internships with at-risk youth and older adults in assisted living homes-helped me develop empathy, communication, and leadership skills. The challenging coursework in my major also taught me time management and self-discipline, which have been essential in Baylor’s OTD program. Human Development and Family Studies majors should consider occupational therapy because it offers a creative, holistic, and impactful approach to healthcare. Occupational therapy allows you to work in various settings and with diverse populations to enhance their quality of life in meaningful and practical ways."
Cora Ayers (Class of 2025), Baylor University (Undergraduate Institution): "What sparked my interest in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy was the meaningful and functional nature of the profession. I stumbled upon an ad on Pinterest describing what occupational therapy was, and I was hooked! It seemed to me like the perfect mix of individualized patient education and in-depth application of scientific knowledge when I learned of the profession, and it has turned out to be just that!… My undergraduate major prepared me for the Baylor OTD program through rigorous study and familiarization with online course formats. I began undergrad during COVID-19, so I had a lot of experience with online courses during that time. This prepared me well for the hybrid format of the Baylor OTD program. As occupational therapists, we get the joy of helping restore participation in the most meaningful and important aspects of people’s lives."
Kendall Jensen (Class of 2025), Appalachian State University (Undergraduate Institution): "I was drawn to pursue a degree in occupational therapy after seeing first-hand how occupational therapy emphasizes meaningful activity and patient-centered care. I loved the creativity and adaptability of the profession, and how it empowers people to engage in what matters to them most, regardless of their age or ability!… My undergraduate major in Exercise Science provided me with a solid foundation and understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and human movement-all of which are fundamental in occupational therapy. This also emphasized the importance of viewing health through a holistic lens, which also aligns closely with occupational therapy’s client-centered and functional approach to overall care. Students who study exercise science in undergrad often seem to be interested in human movement and improving quality of life, which are two important factors of the occupational therapy practice."
Daisy Brockhouse (Class of 2026), Northwestern University (Undergraduate Institution): "After graduating from Northwestern University, I initially was planning on an entirely different career path. I ended up landing a job in Boston that allowed me to work with students that had various learning disabilities and challenges. Through my students, I was introduced to the world of occupational therapy and loved everything about it, so I completely switched my plans!… The cognitive science program definitely helped to prepare me in understanding the neurological and cognitive conditions that are discussed within Baylor’s OTD program. Although I adjusted my plans and ended up in Baylor’s program within a fairly short time frame, I still felt prepared because I had an understanding of cognition and various areas of brain damage that can affect occupational performance. Global health also helped to prepare me in understanding various intricacies of healthcare and related policies. I think that occupational therapy is great for cognitive science majors because it allows you to really see the teachings of the discipline in practice. Cognitive science looks at how we process information and how transformations that occur can lead to different outputs, and occupational therapy (especially in the neuro route) is a way of taking these fundamentals and coming up with the next step of how to improve these outputs."
Hannah Benoit (Class of 2026), University of Louisiana at Monroe (Undergraduate Institution): "I had physical therapy right when I started high school for my knee in a combined physical therapy/occupational therapy clinic. I loved seeing the work and meaningful connections the occupational therapist put into her job. It made me want to find a job where I could connect and help people… My undergraduate years taught me the basics of how the body works and how the environment shapes our lives."

Recommended Courses

The following classes are recommended for completion of the basic pre-OT core at UNC Charlotte.

For other OT programs you may also need to take a combination of some of the coursework below.

Anatomy
Physiology
Psychology
Sociology
Health and Exercise Science
Human Development
Neuroscience
Kinesiology
Statistics

These courses aim to equip students with the foundational knowledge to excel at the graduate level.

Developing Essential Competencies

In addition to completing a set of prerequisite coursework, pre-OT students need to develop strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills. Before applying, occupational therapy schools expect that applicants develop certain competencies. Students develop some of these competencies through undergraduate coursework, while they develop others through experiences outside the classroom. Occupational therapy schools review your application looking for indicators that you have developed these competencies.

GPA Considerations

Your undergraduate GPA is one of the primary ways occupational therapy schools will evaluate your application for admission. Occupational therapy schools review your undergraduate transcript and the grades you have earned in your courses as a way to evaluate academic competencies that you have gained. Grades are considered to be a reliable predictor of how you will perform in occupational therapy school. Admissions committees look at your undergraduate transcript for indications of whether you will have the intellectual abilities and self-discipline to succeed in the demanding OT school curriculum.

Most programs have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA requirement of 3.0 or higher and require all prerequisites be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.

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As a pre-occupational therapy student, aim for a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher to be academically competitive. GPA is not the only factor in admission, but a low GPA cannot be overcome by other factors in admission. We strongly urge freshmen and transfer students to focus on academics and making the transition to challenging IUB coursework.

When you apply to occupational therapy school your GPA will be calculated by OTCAS, the centralized application service. You will type information into your centralized application from the transcripts of all colleges and universities you have attended, including the title of each course, number of credit hours, and the grade earned for each course. Each course will be classified according to the subject matter of the course.

Observation Hours

Observation hours aren’t always part of occupational therapy degree requirements. If you choose to contact one of these facilities, communicate that you’re a student looking to shadow an OT professional. While you are working on your undergraduate degree, you may need to start logging the required volunteer/observation hours for occupational therapy school. Each program has its own requirements, but you’ll generally want to work in at least a few different settings, and it’s also wise to explore different types of patient populations.

The Application Process

As a pre-OT student, you should plan to apply to multiple schools. Begin researching their requirements early to determine what additional courses are required for admission. Some OT programs may not accept Advanced Placement (AP) credit, credit-by-exam, or exemption from degree requirements to fulfill admission requirements, or may only accept such credit under specific circumstances.

During the admissions process, you’ll usually be asked to provide proof of your undergraduate education in the form of an official transcript submitted by your college or university. It’s important to note that the University of St. Graduate schools that require the GRE provide a minimum score requirement for applications to be considered. You will likely need to take the GRE (graduate record examination) and pass with a decent score. You can use the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) to apply to multiple schools.

Supplemental questions give OT program boards the opportunity to gain more insight into your experience, knowledge and professional goals.

Crafting a Strong Application

Creating a great application isn’t just about meeting occupational therapist education requirements. The application also provides the opportunity to showcase your personality and passion for the field. Your personal statement is a chance to talk about your observational experiences, volunteer work and career goals. Start your personal statement early to allow time for revision. It’s usually not required to pick an OT specialty before applying to a graduate program.

Interview Tips

The last step of the application process is often the applicant interview. Below are a few tips to help prepare you for a successful interview experience.

Practice potential questions you may be asked in your interview. Why are you interested in our OT program? What are your career goals? View these sessions as a real interview so you can feel more comfortable when the time comes.
The interviewer will likely ask you if you have any questions.
If you start to feel nervous or anxious during the interview, try to be honest about it with the interviewer.

Alternative Paths and Parallel Planning

What is parallel planning? It's a smart strategy to ensure your success. There are many possible paths to your goal of a healthcare career! Some students convince themselves that there is only one career for them - but the truth is that you could potentially be successful in a wide number of fields. A parallel plan is a plan you create that you can pursue right alongside your first choice of a career.

How could you create a parallel plan? Explore your interests, goals, and values. Meet with a career advisor. Think about other goals you would like to achieve alongside being an occupational therapist - for instance, would you like to encourage healthy lifestyles, focus on a particular population (for example, individuals with disabilities, children, or the elderly), or work in a creative career?

If you’re concerned about debt load, one option is to become an occupational therapy assistant (OTA), which only requires an associate’s degree.

Career Outlook and Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), occupational therapy jobs are on the rise, with employment of OTs projected to grow 14% between 2024 and 2034. That said, there are certain cities where the OT market is more saturated than others. As you weigh your earning potential, keep in mind that numerous factors may impact your salary as an OT. Years of experience, specialization, location of practice, and setting all affect your compensation. Also, some employers pay hourly rates, while others pay salaries.

If you become an OT, you will have opportunities for advancement in your career. You can become a clinic owner, or you can opt to specialize and remain an employee. You can also pursue a number of different non-clinical (or alternative) OT careers. The other benefit of having a wide scope of practice is that there are many settings in which you can work-and many OTs do wind up switching settings when they’re ready for a change of pace. For example, it is common to work in more demanding settings, such as SNFs and acute care, right out of school.

Occupational therapists also enjoy a decent amount of flexibility in their jobs. Many professions pretty much require you to work full-time. Otherwise, you’ll have a very difficult time finding work. However, OTs who need more flexibility in their schedules are often allowed to go part-time or PRN (i.e., working as-needed shifts).

Challenges and Considerations

Like other health care professions, OT has also seen a decline in applications to OT schools since the pandemic. In one way, this feels disheartening-but on the other hand, it means acceptance rates at OT schools are likely on the rise. And, if the supply of OTs is low while demand remains high, then the job market will be in your favor when you graduate.

If you’re wondering how stressful it is to be an OT, it really depends. There are certain settings where OTs are required to be very efficient with their time, which can lead to higher-than-average job stress. Like most healthcare practitioners, occupational therapists are dealing with increased documentation requirements and shrinking reimbursements. And yet, there’s still pressure to see the same number of patients per day-and those additional administrative tasks can start piling up. This has led many OTs to work long hours, decreasing their overall pay per hour. For this reason, some OTs are starting to create specialized cash-based OT practices.

Occupational therapy can be a heartwarming job, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding. For this reason, many OTs experience burnout at some point in their careers. Unfortunately, becoming an occupational therapist is not cheap, which means many OTs find themselves managing student debt. Occupational therapists must complete at least a master’s degree program-on top of any expenses associated with their undergraduate education. While debt can certainly be managed through frugal living and wise school selection, many OTs do find themselves in quite a bit of debt upon graduation.

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