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How do I start my career in occupational therapy?
6 Steps to Become an Occupational Therapist
- Earn an associates degree.
- Take the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam.
- Gain experience in the occupational therapy field.
- Advance your education.
- Pass the Occupational Therapy Registered (OTR) exam.
- Gain state licensure.
- Latest Posts.
How long does it take to become an occupational therapist?
Becoming a licensed occupational therapist typically takes up to five to six years. Candidates must first obtain a bachelor’s degree before the completing a master’s degree and conducting fieldwork to gain experience.
What schooling do you need to be an occupational therapist?
In most cases, you’ll need to complete an undergraduate degree (four years, unless you graduate early or pursue an accelerated program), and then you’ll be in occupational therapy school anywhere from two to three years.
Is it easy to become an occupational therapist?
OT is one of the more difficult careers to kick start, the high level of education certification (Master’s/Doctorate) required to earn a decent living makes this field slightly more difficult to find employment.
Can you be an occupational therapist without a degree?
An accredited degree in Occupational Therapy is generally considered a prerequisite for this profession. However, entry without a degree is possible at assistant, technician, or support worker level, where you could then progress to become a fully qualified Occupational Therapist after further study and experience.
Is occupational therapy harder than nursing?
A Nurse or Occupational Therapists (OT), which is harder? The job of a Nurse is harder than Occupational Therapist (OT). The job of a nurse is both physically and emotionally demanding. You deal with a huge number of people every day, each with their own set of expectations for you.
How hard is it to get into OT school?
OT school is very competitive and takes more than just haphazardly applying to schools at the last minute. Make sure you’re prepared by learning from my mistakes and following these actionable tips to increase your chances of getting accepted.
Is occupational therapist in demand?
Job Outlook Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 17 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
What degree is best for Occupational Therapy?
The most basic occupation therapy degree is an associate’s degree. Obtaining an occupational degree requires a large amount of clinical expeerience.
How much schooling does an occupational therapist need?
Occupational Therapist Schooling Requirements. To become an occupational therapist, you will need to graduate from an accredited master’s or doctoral degree program in occupational therapy to qualify for licensing.
Why is occupational therapy a good career?
OTA could be a good career for you. Occupational therapy assistants work one-on-one with patients, helping them either re-learn or learn for the first time how to accomplish a daily task. If you boil it all down, an OTAs basic job function is to help people.
What courses are needed for Occupational Therapy?
If you are considering a career as an Occupational Therapist you should take high school courses in chemistry, physics, biology, health and the social sciences. Many Occupational Therapists start by completing an undergraduate majoring in biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts, or anatomy.