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Occupational Therapy

Campus: Columbus

School: Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

The occupational therapy program at Ohio State is a post-baccalaureate doctorate program. Students interested in occupational therapy should complete an undergraduate program of their choice in preparation for application to the Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program.

Occupational therapy exists to facilitate an individuals ability to perform the activities that are important to them, despite the presence or risk of impairment, disease or disability. Occupational therapists work in homes, hospitals, schools or community agencies. Their patients are those who are adapting to or are at risk of functional limitations such as physical and cognitive disabilities, psychosocial dysfunctions and mental illnesses, or developmental and learning disorders. All facets of performance (physical, cognitive and psychosocial) are addressed, and goal-directed activity is applied to enhance physical and psychosocial abilities, health, well-being and life satisfaction.

The occupational therapy program at Ohio State is a post-baccalaureate doctorate program. Students interested in occupational therapy should complete an undergraduate program of their choice in preparation for application to the Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program.

Since occupational therapy draws upon a variety of disciplines, there is no single major or even type of major that is better suited than another for undergraduate preparation. While tudents often select a course of study somewhat related to the professional area, such as health sciences, biology or psychology, any major is viable as long as the prerequisite course work for the OTD program is completed.

Undecided or undeclared students may enroll in Ohio State’s University Exploration program for the first year or two of university enrollment to explore all majors that Ohio State has to offer. Students can also choose to enroll in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences for the first year or two as pre-major students if interested in one of their professional programs or health sciences.

OTD candidates should plan an undergraduate curriculum that will give them a comprehensive base in the sciences, social sciences and humanities. Students are encouraged to take advantage of academic opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines in preparation for a very people-oriented profession that relies heavily on interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills.

The following courses must be completed prior to beginning the OTD program:

  • Abnormal psychology 
  • Introductory sociology
  • Human anatomy (lab recommended but not required)
  • Human physiology (lab recommended but not required)
  • Intermediate or technical writing  
  • Statistics
  • General biology or introductory biology
  • Medical/scientific terminology 

Admission to the OTD program is based on the following requirements:

  • A bachelor's degree
  • An overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
  • Completion of at least 40 hours of observation with a licensed, practicing occupational therapist in at least two of four settings: rehabilitation, mental health, pediatrics and geriatrics

In their undergraduate curriculum, students interested in the post-baccalaureate Occupational Therapy Doctorate program should build a strong science background and develop skills in collecting, measuring and analyzing data. Required prerequisite course work for admission to the OTD program covers the foundations of occupational therapy theory and science, models of occupational therapy practice, clinical experiences, and the use of an evidence-based approach. 

Students are encouraged to participate in some type of observation, volunteer and/or paid work experience in a health care or physical therapy setting early on in their undergraduate years. Students who plan to apply to the post-baccalaureate Occupational Therapy Doctorate program must have at least 40 hours of observation with a licensed, practicing occupational therapist in at least two of four settings: rehabilitation, mental health, pediatrics and geriatrics.

All health and rehabilitation sciences programs include internships and clinical experiences for students that are arranged individually with clinical sites experienced in offering the best available clinical instruction. The programs that include clinical placements provide students with extensive supervised practice in facilities both on and off campus.

Students in the Ohio State Scholars programs live together, attend classes together and have the opportunity to be a part of a close-knit community. Pre-occupational therapy students may apply to any of the Ohio State Scholars programs. The Health Sciences Scholars Program and the Dunn Sport and Wellness Scholars Program may be of particular interest to students in the pre-occupational therapy program because they bring together students with interests in the many health programs offered at Ohio State.

Students in any major who are interested in pursuing occupational therapy can join the Pre-Physical Therapy and Pre-Occupational Therapy Club to learn more about these professions, meet others interested in physical and occupational therapy, and increase awareness of these professions on campus and in the community.

Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, including children’s hospitals, general hospitals, rehabilitation centers, public and special schools, private homes, sheltered workshops, and community agencies. Some therapists also establish their own private practices. With experience or additional education, occupational therapists may become administrators of occupational therapy departments.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for occupational therapists is $85,570, and the employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 14% from 2021 to 2031 (much faster than the average for all occupations).