Occupational Therapy

Description of the Profession

Occupational Therapy (OT) helps people maximize their ability to participate in life independently. With OT, children and adults facing physical, cognitive, or psychosocial challenges can improve skills that help them perform daily tasks at home, school, work, and play. OT doesn't simply treat medical conditions. It helps people stay engaged in activities that give them pleasure or a sense of purpose, despite challenges. Note that a graduate level degree is now required to practice as a certified OT.

Skills and Characteristics Important to this Profession

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, patience, empathy, strong communication skills, and the ability to work with a team of care givers.

Description of the Indiana University Occupational Therapy Programs

IU Bloomington does not offer an occupational therapy program, but pre-OT students may complete the prerequisites at IUB and then transfer to the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in Indianapolis (IUPUI) to complete the OT Master of Science. (Indiana University does not offer an undergraduate OT degree.) Admission to the OT program requires completion of a baccalaureate degree, the prerequisite courses (which can be worked into most undergraduate degrees), and the other admission requirements noted in this document. Students may choose any undergraduate major as long as they also take the OT prerequisite courses. The OT program itself takes two full years to complete, including Summer sessions (beginning the Summer session II after applying), and incorporates fieldwork assignments at affiliated centers located in Indiana and other states.

Other Accredited Programs

For a list of accredited OT programs, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association website.

Additional Notes and Recommendations

Occupational therapy programs, and the profession itself, often require students and OT practitioners to work with diverse populations, including a range of age groups. HPPLC advisors recommend that those considering this profession gain such experience through babysitting or working / volunteering in a childcare setting, in retirement or nursing home settings, and in any setting that will expose you to a variety of people.

Job Shadowing / Observation

Job shadowing / observation is the best way for you to get a first hand look at a given profession and determine whether or not it is one you wish to look into further. HPPLC advisors strongly encourage you to take advantage of any such opportunities that arise during high school; or, if you are already in college, to arrange shadowing / observation as soon as possible. Refer to the PDF document at the bottom of this page for further shadowing / observation information.

FAQ about OT

1) Q. What undergraduate major should I choose? Does it matter whether I earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA)?
A. While it is easier to work the OT prerequisites into some major programs than others, you may earn your undergraduate major in anything you like as you prepare for OT. It is best to pursue a major you'll enjoy, and one you would undertake even if you weren't interested in OT. None of the types of baccalaureate degrees you can earn (e.g., BA, BS, BFA, BSW -- whatever) pose any inherent advantages or disadvantages compared to any other.

2) Q. What kind of advanced degree is required to practice occupational therapy?
A. Refer to Section VI (Career Information, Credentialing) of the PDF at the bottom of this page.

3) Q. What is an OT certificate program?
A. It is an undergraduate program which, upon completion of the academic coursework and fieldwork, awards a certificate rather than an actual degree. A number of schools still offer OT certificates and OT baccalaureate degrees, and some students choose to complete one or the other prior to entering an OT graduate program. (IU has no undergraduate OT programs.) In any case, you still need a graduate degree to become a credentialed OT.

4) Q. How do I know which OT programs are the best or highest ranked?
A. Neither The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) nor The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) ranks programs. Accreditation itself indicates that the program is in compliance with the minimum standards established by AOTA and ACOTE. Some programs may exceed the minimum standards, but whether or not this is the case is not acknowledged by AOTA. Of course, you can research the university itself (and its "rankings") in addition to its OT program, and thus establish further criteria by which to rank your programs of interest.

5) Q. How do I learn what occupational therapists do?
A. 1) Read the description of the profession at the top of this web page. 2) Review the resources indicated in Section VIII of the PDF at the bottom of this web page. 3) See Section III.B (Shadowing / and Observation) of the PDF. While not the only resource for observation / volunteering, you may visit the Bloomington Hospital Student Placement Center site and click on the "Shadowing" link. You can also contact OT settings directly and ask about observation / volunteering. Visit a variety of OT environments, ask questions, and keep an informal journal of your observations.

Further Information

Refer to HPPLC Occupational Therapy handout for more detailed information about prerequisite courses, application and admission information, and for additional resources.

If you are interested in other health professions that are advised through HPPLC, we encourage you to sign up for the HPPLC email list associated with your program(s) of interest. Feel free to sign up for more than one list. Also refer to the HPPLC handout, Health Professions Descriptions.