Milestone 3

 

Are You Prepared for the Road Ahead?

 

Now that you have assessed your academic strengths and identified a career goal, you should take a moment to gauge whether you are prepared to undertake the course of study necessary to achieve your goal.  The profile below will help you determine whether your previous academic achievement is appropriate preparation for your career goal.  You might not have a perfect match to the criteria indicated.  That's okay, the criteria will help you identify potential areas where you will need additional help or preparation along the way.

A career in OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY requires an undergraduate degree which usually takes four years of study and a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy.  A successful career in occupational therapy requires a commitment to preparing yourself for a rigorous and demanding course of study and seeking out meaningful shadowing or volunteer experiences in occupational therapy or a closely related area.

Use the information below to become familiar with the requirements and expectations for this career path.

Typically, students interested in pursuing studies that will lead to a career in Occupational Therapy share the following attributes:

HIGH SCHOOL PROFILES of UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
considering admission to the Department of Occupational Therapy

Desirable SAT Score:	>= 1000
HS Rank:	Top 25%
HS GPA:	2.80
High School Sciences:	Biology, Chemistry, aPhysics
High School Math:	Algebra I-II, Geometry, (a)Trigonometry/ Pre-Calculus

(a)Students who demonstrate satisfactory completion of high school PHYSICS & TRIGONOMETRY/ PRE-CALCULUS will receive enhanced consideration for admission to a program.

*Please note that the respective programs try to balance several factors when considering students for admissions. Thus, individuals who do not meet all of the guidelines may be considered by a program.

A career in Occupational Therapy requires first a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.  As an undergraduate, you will have to meet the following expectations:

COLLEGE PROFILES of UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
considering admission to the Department of Occupational Therapy

Possible majors:	Students interested in a career in Occupational Therapy can choose any undergraduate major.
Required Courses:	Two semesters of Anatomy & Physiology (with lab). Other lab science courses may be acceptable (Biology, Chemistry, Physics).  Intro. to Psychology and either Intro. to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology (other social science courses may be acceptable).  Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology or Theories of Personality, and Statistics (preferably social science of education)
Recommended Courses:
Science GPA	n/a
Cumulative GPA:	3.00
Hours/Degree Required	B.S. or B.A.
Desirable GRE or MAT Score:	GRE or MAT

Once you have completed your undergraduate studies, the road to a career in Occupational Therapy includes the following time and application requirements:

Length of Program (years)	2
Degree Conferred	Masters of Occupational Therapy
Application Period	To March 15
Application Essay	Required
Letters of Recommendation	Required (2)
Official Transcript(s)	Required
Interview/Writing Sample	Required

IF YOU ARE CONFIDENT THAT YOU ARE ON TRACK AND YOU ARE READY TO GO ON TO THE

NEXT STAGE OF YOUR JOURNEY, CLICK HERE: 

TO EXPLORE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AT THIS STAGE OF YOUR JOURNEY,

OR LOOK AT PREPAREDNESS PROFILES FOR OTHER AREAS OF STUDY,

CLICK HERE:  MILESTONE 3