So you want to go to OT school...
Occupational therapy is often overlooked, being so closely related to services provided through physical therapy, many individuals are not sure what occupational therapists do for a living. Unlike physical therapists, occupational therapists focus on the rehabilitation centered around a patient’s everyday activities. This includes helping kids so they can fully participate in school and social situations, helping people recover from sports injuries that hindered common skills, and providing necessary support to elders experiencing cognitive and physical changes.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Occupational Therapy grad schools require a bachelor’s degree and 20 hours of prerequisites. Listed below are the prerequisite courses required by MUSC’s Occupational Therapy program. The courses can be must be completed in order to apply to OT school regardless of your major. It is crucial that students make sure to finish these courses with and A or B. This does not mean that you will not be accepted if you make a C in one of the courses below, it just means in order to make yourself a competitive applicant it is important to score above a C. You must complete 4 hours of human anatomy with lab, 4 hours of human physiology with lab, 3 hours of statistics, 3 hours of lifespan human development, 3 hours of abnormal psychology, and 3 hours of sociology.
If you find yourself with questions about registering for these courses or working your schedule to fit these particular courses in you can talk with your advisor. Other courses to utilize include scheduling a meeting with Joey Thames or Jessica Owens, both are here to help students who are interested in grad school related to health care.
Occupational Therapy schools generally look for GPA no lower than 3.0. Both your academic and science GPA are taken into account when applying for an Occupational Therapy program. Though the minimum GPA is a 3.0 for most programs, the average competitive GPA is a 3.5-3.6.
NON-ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
All OT programs require volunteer hours and work experience. This allows students to gain hands on experience with occupational therapy. MUSC requires a minimum of 30 volunteer hours that must be verified by the occupational therapist.
Shadowing local OT’s can be done at home over the summer or right here in practices surrounding the Clemson Area. In order to shadow, I recommend contacting OT to see if they are available for shadowing. Chances are you will have to go through a clearance process before you are allowed to shadow, but do not be alarmed or give up. Push through the process so you are able to get your necessary hours. Shadowing is always a wonderful experience, sometimes the best way to learn something is being thrown into the an environment surrounded by the subject.
Occupational therapy is often overlooked, being so closely related to services provided through physical therapy, many individuals are not sure what occupational therapists do for a living. Unlike physical therapists, occupational therapists focus on the rehabilitation centered around a patient’s everyday activities. This includes helping kids so they can fully participate in school and social situations, helping people recover from sports injuries that hindered common skills, and providing necessary support to elders experiencing cognitive and physical changes.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Occupational Therapy grad schools require a bachelor’s degree and 20 hours of prerequisites. Listed below are the prerequisite courses required by MUSC’s Occupational Therapy program. The courses can be must be completed in order to apply to OT school regardless of your major. It is crucial that students make sure to finish these courses with and A or B. This does not mean that you will not be accepted if you make a C in one of the courses below, it just means in order to make yourself a competitive applicant it is important to score above a C. You must complete 4 hours of human anatomy with lab, 4 hours of human physiology with lab, 3 hours of statistics, 3 hours of lifespan human development, 3 hours of abnormal psychology, and 3 hours of sociology.
If you find yourself with questions about registering for these courses or working your schedule to fit these particular courses in you can talk with your advisor. Other courses to utilize include scheduling a meeting with Joey Thames or Jessica Owens, both are here to help students who are interested in grad school related to health care.
Occupational Therapy schools generally look for GPA no lower than 3.0. Both your academic and science GPA are taken into account when applying for an Occupational Therapy program. Though the minimum GPA is a 3.0 for most programs, the average competitive GPA is a 3.5-3.6.
NON-ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
All OT programs require volunteer hours and work experience. This allows students to gain hands on experience with occupational therapy. MUSC requires a minimum of 30 volunteer hours that must be verified by the occupational therapist.
Shadowing local OT’s can be done at home over the summer or right here in practices surrounding the Clemson Area. In order to shadow, I recommend contacting OT to see if they are available for shadowing. Chances are you will have to go through a clearance process before you are allowed to shadow, but do not be alarmed or give up. Push through the process so you are able to get your necessary hours. Shadowing is always a wonderful experience, sometimes the best way to learn something is being thrown into the an environment surrounded by the subject.
GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION (GRE)
According to the Medical University of South Carolina, a competitive GRE score lies within the 60th percentile or higher in all sections, close to a 155. It is also encouraged that applicants really focus on the writing portion of the GRE. An occupational therapists must be able to take thorough notes regarding the progression and regression of their patient’s status. Click the link to learn more.
According to the Medical University of South Carolina, a competitive GRE score lies within the 60th percentile or higher in all sections, close to a 155. It is also encouraged that applicants really focus on the writing portion of the GRE. An occupational therapists must be able to take thorough notes regarding the progression and regression of their patient’s status. Click the link to learn more.
APPLY
If you're ready to apply or want to learn more about the process, click the link below.
If you're ready to apply or want to learn more about the process, click the link below.