Pre-Occupational Therapy
Pre-Occupational Therapy
From hand therapy and treating people with low vision to working with children or older adults, as you become an occupational therapist, you'll show injured or disabled patients how to adapt to their new reality through the change of movements and therapeutic activities.
Why Consider Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapists are kind and have a strong desire to change lives, as you will do exactly that by helping patients with disabilities perform tasks in ways that are adapted to their circumstances.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 16 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Explore: Occupational Therapy Pathways
Become a student at USM and obtain the necessary requirements to apply to OT programs,
with the guidance of our pathways expert!
|
Undergraduate Credit Required |
Bachelor’s degree (most schools) |
|
Entrance Exam |
Some OT programs may require the GRE |
|
Professional Schooling Required |
3-4 years; Master or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T. and O.T.D.) | 2 years; |
|
Professional Organization Websites |
There are three options available for students wishing to work in the Occupational Therapy field: Advanced degrees in occupational therapy (M.O.T. and O.T.D.) or an Occupational Therapy Assistant (O.T.A.).
Here are some of the local or surrounding area professional schools:
- University of South Alabama (O.T.D.) (Mobile, AL)
- University of Mississippi Medical Center (O.T.D.) (Jackson, MS)
- Louisiana State University (M.O.T.)(New Orleans, LA )
- Program Directory
Navigating the Application Process
Beginning early with the application process allows students to structure an academic plan of study and ensures you are on track. Occupational Therapy schools have relatively similar requirements that we can help prepare you for, including competitive scores and high GPA (overall and prerequisite), preparing for the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations), if needed, providing evidence of care for people through service and shadowing experiences, leadership roles, and more!
We encourage you to contact our pathways expert to support you in your professional development endeavors.
Some students already have a B.A., B.S., or above and decide to pursue becoming an Occupational Therapist. It is recommended that such students visit the preprofessional office for additional advisement. It is common for these students to take their missing prerequisite science or non-science courses for OT school here at USM as post-baccalaureate students, work on the other non-course requirements while taking courses, prepare for and take the GRE, and then apply to OT school(s).
Some students may choose to pursue a second major, while others enroll in prerequisite courses as a non-degree-seeking student. In either case, students must go through the University's Undergraduate Admissions office to be either admitted (new students) or re-admitted (former students) prior to enrollment.
There are three options available for students wishing to work in the Occupational Therapy field. Advanced degrees in occupational therapy (MOT and OTD) offer students the most flexibility in terms of practice, opportunities, and salary. Students who obtain either an MOT or an OTD from accredited programs are eligible to sit for the licensure exam to become a licensed Occupational Therapist; while both degrees are licensure-eligible, many schools are transitioning into offering OTDs only as these provide both a greater knowledge base and an increase in available opportunities.
The final option is to pursue an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program. These are frequently offered at community colleges and provide students with the opportunity to receive an associate degree and sit for the OTA licensure exam. OTAs are more limited in practice than fully licensed Occupational Therapists. If you do not want an advanced degree, please consult the AOTA "Find a School" resource.
The only Occupational Therapy program in Mississippi is at UMMC in Jackson, MS. They have phased out their MOT program and have entered into an OTD program as of Summer 2018. While other schools exist in the surrounding states, it is important to research their residency requirements and out-of-state enrollment rates.
- PSY 110 - Introduction to Psychology
- PSY 360** or MAT 115 - Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences or Elementary Statistics
- PSY 275 - Developmental Psychology
- BSC 250/L & 251/L - Anatomy and Physiology I and II
- PHY 111/L - General Physics I
- Advanced biological or physical science (300+)
- MLS 201 - Medical Terminology (recommended but not required)
To be eligible for admission to the UMMC OTD program:
- Applicants must complete a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
- Applicants must have minimum overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. (Applicants interviewed and accepted typically have a higher GPA.)
- A minimum grade of C is required on each course accepted for entrance requirements. If a course is repeated, both grades are used in calculating the GPA.
- Applicants must meet the technical standards of the program.
- Applicants must provide evidence of observation under an occupational therapist. The exact hour and number of setting requirements vary by program.
Students apply online directly to the UMMC School of Health Related Professions. Other schools may utilize the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS).
What Should I Major In?
- The “pre-occupational therapy curriculum” is just a list of courses that are required for admission to OT school. It is NOT an academic major, a minor, or an emphasis area. Prerequisite courses can vary between OT schools, so it is important to check with individual schools about their requirements and deadlines.
Occupational Therapy programs do not require a particular major—pursue a major in which you feel the most comfortable with! Explore related majors:
