Occupational Therapy

Career Info

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) states that Occupational Therapy is a health care profession aimed at helping, “people of all ages regain, develop, or master everyday skills in order to live independent, productive, and satisfying lives. Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.” Occupational therapy practitioners (OTs) are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury. OT’s assess, utilize, and adapt everyday activities to improve function, enhance performance, promote health, prevent illness, and increase independence in those persons to whom they provide services.

The AOTA also says that “many practitioners choose to help children thrive in the ‘occupations’ of childhood, which include learning, playing, and growing. Therapists work in schools with students who have learning disabilities or behavioral problems. Others work with premature newborns at pediatric hospitals or children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other disabilities.  Occupational therapists also work with individuals in their homes, community centers, rehabilitation hospitals, businesses, and nursing homes. In these settings, occupational therapists help people with traumatic injuries, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, or mental health problems learn to live productive lives through the use of meaningful occupations. Those who join the field today may choose other areas of practice that are increasingly important. These new specialties include training workers to use proper ergonomics on the job, helping people with low vision maintain their independence, making buildings and homes more accessible, older driver evaluation and training, and promoting health and wellness.”

According to the AOTA, “Occupational Therapists work in a variety of job settings. Public schools, hospitals, mental health centers, nursing homes, physician practices, and home health agencies are all job settings that may employ occupational therapy practitioners. With career advancement, occupational therapists may move into management, specialization, teaching, research, or private practice positions.” In 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median annual wage for occupational therapists was $96,370. The job outlook for Occupational Therapists is great, with a projected growth of 12% by 2032.

More Information

Outlook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm

O*NET: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1122.00

 

Education & Training

To obtain a license, applicants must graduate from an accredited master’s degree program, and pass a national certification examination. Graduate programs typically require that applicants have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA, volunteer/observation experience (normally between 40-200 hours) under the supervision of an O.T. and scores submitted from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). There are currently nine schools in CA offering a master’s degree in occupational therapy.

Semester Course Recommendations

CA Occupational Therapy Schools

CSU Dominguez Hills
San Jose State University
University of Southern California
Loma Linda University
Samuel Merritt University
Dominican University
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Stanbridge University
West Coast University

Professional Association Links

For more information, visit the American Occupational Therapy website at http://www.aota.org.

Cal Poly PT/OT Club

To get involved with the Cal Poly PT/OT club, please email pt-otclub@calpoly.edu or check out their social media pages:

• Facebook - @calpolyptotclub
• Instagram - @calpoly.ptotclub