{"id":4192,"date":"2025-02-19T10:37:28","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T15:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bridgeport.edu\/news\/?p=4192"},"modified":"2025-02-19T10:37:28","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T15:37:28","slug":"what-is-a-pre-ot-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bridgeport.edu\/news\/what-is-a-pre-ot-program\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Pre-Occupational Therapy Program?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re aiming for a career that transforms lives, ask yourself\u2014or the internet\u2014What is a pre-OT program? You might stumble upon the perfect stepping stone, a degree that prepares students to enter a master\u2019s program in Occupational Therapy by nailing down the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed for success.<\/p>\n

With a pre-occupational therapy concentration<\/a>, students gain hands-on experience in the health sciences field while completing coursework within their chosen major, setting a strong foundation for their professional journey.<\/p>\n

What is occupational therapy?<\/h2>\n

Occupational therapy is the art and science of helping people of all ages live life to the fullest. From promoting independence to preventing injury or illness, occupational therapists work with individuals to overcome obstacles and thrive in their day-to-day.<\/p>\n

Food for thought: the median pay for occupational therapists was $96,370 as of May 2023<\/a>, with an 11% job growth rate<\/a>\u2014much faster than the average for all occupations. A pre-OT health sciences concentration can provide a head start for students with a clear goal of becoming an occupational therapist.<\/p>\n

Occupational therapists must be adaptable. Working in various environments and finding tailored solutions to fit each individual\u2019s needs is par for the course in the day of an occupational therapist. To get started, you must first obtain a master\u2019s degree in Occupational Therapy\u2014a rigorous but rewarding path.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how the path to becoming an occupational therapist unfolds:<\/p>\n

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  1. Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited educational program.<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Complete fieldwork requirements.<\/li>\n
  3. Pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy<\/a> (NBCOT) exam.<\/li>\n
  4. Apply for your license.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    While the process may feel like an uphill battle, each step brings you closer to your dream of becoming a fully qualified occupational therapist. A pre-occupational therapy concentration gives individuals the tools to help patients with ongoing health issues.<\/p>\n

    What is a pre-OT program?<\/h2>\n

    A Pre-Occupational Therapy program is structured to prepare you for the demanding journey of becoming an occupational therapist. However, come rain or shine, it equips each individual with foundational knowledge in medical sciences, psychology, sociology, and rehabilitative technologies.<\/a><\/p>\n

    Students engage in specialized coursework and hands-on experiences that align with the prerequisites of OT graduate programs while completing their undergraduate degree. Pre-OT programs often incorporate practical opportunities such as internships, volunteer work, or shadowing experiences in clinical settings.<\/p>\n

    These hands-on activities allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios, giving them a clearer sense of what to expect in occupational therapy. Through these experiences\u2013and accompanying undergraduate major\u2013 you develop crucial skills like patient interaction, therapeutic communication, and adaptive problem-solving, which are key to success in the OT master\u2019s program and beyond.<\/p>\n

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    Build the foundation for a rewarding career, develop skills to succeed in an in-demand field!<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n

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    Recommended undergraduate majors<\/h3>\n

    Choosing the right undergraduate major for aspiring occupational therapists is key while in your pre-OT concentration. Majors like Biology, Kinesiology, and Sociology are particularly beneficial for a master’s in pre-occupational Therapy because they provide fundamental knowledge and skills\u2013sending you on your way to a clinical master\u2019s in Occupational Therapy as right as rain.<\/p>\n