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.
What are the entry requirements for occupational therapy?
A master's degree or a more advanced degree in occupational therapy
is required in order to work as an occupational therapist. Biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, liberal arts and anatomy are all appropriate majors for those who ultimately want to earn a master's degree in occupational therapy.
What GPA do you need for OT school?
A
minimum GPA of 3.3
is considered the standard benchmark for successful admission. Forty percent of admissions at occupational therapy schools are based on GPA and GRE scores, with the remainder based on fulfilling individual program prerequisites and other factors.
Is occupational therapy harder than nursing?
Nursing is more difficult than Occupational Therapy
(OT) since it entails dealing with sick and dying patients, working long hours, and working shifts. However, being a nurse provides more income and a broader choice of job options to increase earning potential.
How long is an OT degree?
This pathway would generally take
5 to 5 1⁄2 years
(3 years for the undergraduate degree and 2 to 2 1⁄2 years for the master's program). There may be prerequisite subjects that you must complete in your undergraduate course to be eligible to apply for a master's program to become an Occupational Therapist.
Do you need math for occupational therapy?
In order to become an Occupational Therapist you will need to have an understanding of a variety of topics. … You will need to understand statistics and then have completed classes in a Social Science such as Psychology (beyond the classes mentioned), Sociology, Anthropology
or Math
.
How long does it take to become a OT?
To become an occupational therapist, you will need to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree and pass the required licensure exams. You can expect to spend
six to seven years in school
: four years for an undergraduate degree and two to three years for a graduate degree (if attending on a full-time basis).
What is the salary of an OT?
Occupational Therapists made a
median salary of $84,950 in
2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $101,590 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $69,710.
What is the acceptance rate for OT school?
The average acceptance rate of Best Occupational Therapy Colleges is
43.92%
where University of Southern California has the tightest rate of 16% and University of Kansas has the loosest rate of 91%.
Is it worth becoming an occupational therapist?
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a
very rewarding profession
. They help people of all ages who would typically struggle to perform normal daily activities. It's challenging and impactful work that patients and their families greatly appreciate.
Is there a shortage of occupational therapists?
On the basis of current trends, demand for OT services will outpace the supply of occupational therapists within the United States.
Shortages are expected to increase for all 50 states through 2030
. The number of states with a grade D or below will increase from 3 in 2010, to 18 in 2020, to 37 in 2030, respectively.
Do occupational therapists get paid well?
Find out what the average Occupational Therapist salary is
Entry-level positions start at $80,000 per year, while most experienced workers make
up to $108,238 per year
. $90,000 a year is how much per hour?
Is occupational therapy a stressful career?
Being an occupational therapist can be stressful
.
Almost every setting has productivity requirements, with some settings less strict than others. So while you do get to provide meaningful treatments and help people achieve their goals, you do have to deal with the struggle of meeting your productivity on a daily basis.
Are occupational therapists in high 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.
Which university is best for occupational therapy?
| Rank University Satisfaction | 1 University of Notre Dame Australia 97% | 2 Australian Catholic University 89% | 3 University of Queensland 92% | 4 University of South Australia 91% |
|---|
Do you need chemistry for OT school?
Some programs
require one to two courses in chemistry, biology, physics and computer science
with lab components. Students should begin researching OT programs early on in order to satisfy all prerequisite requirements for the programs they are considering.
Do grades matter in OT school?
2) Since the occupational therapy is a competitive field, you
must maintain high grades in all the prerequisite courses
.
What type of OT makes the most money?
- “Child Day Care Services” – $108,650.
- Management of Companies and Enterprises – $101,540.
- Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities – $93,870.
- Nursing and Skilled Nursing Facilities – $90,660.
- Home Health Services – $90,480.
Which pays more occupational or physical therapy?
OT vs PT Salary
Occupational therapy
average salary: $83,200 per year. Physical therapy average salary: $86,850 per year.
What are the disadvantages of being an occupational therapist?
- The Medical Field is Emotionally Stressful. …
- Occupational Therapy is a Physically Demanding Job. …
- Institutional Barriers May Prevent Desired Results. …
- Long Work Hours Are Common.
Do nurses or occupational therapist make more money?
| Occupational Therapy Nursing | Median Annual Salary (2019) $84,950 (OTR/L) $73,300 (RN) | Median Hourly Salary (2019) $40.84 (OTR/L) $35.24 (RN) | By Gender 83.9% Female 86.7% Female | Job Outlook 18% growth 12% growth |
|---|
How can an ot make 6 figures?
- Work in a SNF or Home Health. These are some of the highest paid settings for occupational therapists. …
- Work in an environment that offers bonuses/incentives. …
- Work in a place that offers overtime pay. …
- Work weekends. …
- Sign up to do travel therapy. …
- Move to a rural location. …
- Avoid salaried positions. …
- Specialize.
Is occupational therapy a happy career?
Occupational therapists are below average when it comes to happiness. … As it turns out,
occupational therapists rate their career happiness 2.9 out of 5 stars
which puts them in the bottom 27% of careers.
Do occupational therapists live comfortably?
While you shouldn't base choosing to be an occupational therapist solely based on the salary, it is helpful to know that
you can live comfortably as an OT
. The national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020) is $86,280 per year, which equates to $41.48 per hour.
Do OTS wear scrubs?
Do Occupational Therapists Wear Scrubs?
Yes
. Occupational therapists are required to wear scrubs at certain rehabilitation centers and hospitals. If scrubs are not required wherever the OT is employed, they often wear a polo shirt with either dark colored pants or scrub pants.
Where is occupational therapy most needed?
- California. Total Occupational Therapist Jobs: …
- Hawaii. Total Occupational Therapist Jobs: …
- Louisiana. Total Occupational Therapist Jobs: …
- Nevada. Total Occupational Therapist Jobs: …
- Alaska. Total Occupational Therapist Jobs: …
- Arizona. …
- New Hampshire. …
- Oregon.
