Academic Preparation

Academic Preparation

• Pre-requisites to enter OT program
• Bachelor's degree
• Examples: biology, kinesiology, psychology, community health, sociology, anatomy

• Core courses: anatomy and physiology, statistics, physics, sociology, others
• Student must then complete an entry-level master's degree program (MOT) from an ACOTE accredited program.
• Courses in the program will focus on structure and funtion of human body, human development, occupational therapy process, theory, screening, evaluation, management, and research.
• Students must also complete six months of supervised fieldwork
• After completion of fieldwork, student must successfully complete the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Examination and apply for state licensure.
• Students may also complete an entry-level doctoral degree (DOT)
• Additional semesters of study focusing on clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development.
• Must complete a 16 week experiential component and culminating project.
• Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
• 86 years of accrediting occupational therapy programs
• AOTA credentialing body
• There are a great deal of standards that a program must meet in order to become accredited, which can be reviewed here:  http://www.aota.org/Educate/Accredit/StandardsReview.aspx
• On-site evalutions for initial accreditation are conducted at 5 to 7 year intervals and at 5, 7, or 10 year intervals for continuing accreditation (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2010).