📱 Install Findmino as an app for the best experience!

What does a week look like as a student in Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies?

Healthcare & Life SciencesGrowing Study ProspectsBachelor

Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies

Also known as: Pre-OT Studies, Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy focus)

This Pre-Occupational Therapy Studies program prepares you for graduate-level occupational therapy education by providing a strong foundation in human sciences, psychology, and social well-being. You will learn about human anatomy, physiology, psychology, and the impact of illness, injury, or disability on an individual's ability to participate in meaningful daily activities. The program focuses on developing the critical thinking and scientific understanding necessary to pursue a Master's or Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy.
Occupational TherapyRehabilitation ScienceTherapeutic InterventionsPatient CareHealthcareAllied HealthHealth SciencesPhysical TherapyRehabilitationTherapy

A Week as a Student

Your alarm blares at 7 AM. You grab coffee before your 8:30 AM Human Anatomy lecture, focusing on the skeletal system. Later, in Biology Lab, you meticulously dissect a preserved frog, carefully identifying organ systems. Your TA, Maya, praises your steady hand, saying, "Excellent precision, you'll need that!" After, you grab lunch at the dining hall, discussing the lab's complexities with classmates, already anticipating the week's academic demands and juggling your textbooks.

High School Preparation

Required Subjects

BiologyChemistryAlgebra IIEnglish IVPre-CalculusPhysics

Recommended GPA

3.2-3.8

Advanced Courses (AP/IB/Honors)

  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Psychology
  • AP Physics
  • Honors Anatomy
  • IB Psychology

Recommended Activities

  • Volunteer at a hospital or nursing home
  • Shadow an Occupational Therapist
  • Participate in a health-related student organization
  • Community service with populations with disabilities
  • Research assistant in a science lab
  • CPR/First Aid certification

Application Essay Topics

  • Describe an experience where you witnessed the impact of occupational therapy and how it inspired your interest in the field.
  • Discuss a time you helped someone overcome a physical or developmental challenge, and what you learned from it.
  • Reflect on how a specific volunteer or shadowing experience deepened your understanding of human function and participation in daily life.
  • Explain how your personal qualities and academic interests align with the principles and practice of occupational therapy.

Alternative Path

While a Bachelor's degree is the standard pathway to prepare for graduate Occupational Therapy programs, you could begin by completing prerequisite science and general education courses at a community college before transferring to a four-year institution to complete a relevant bachelor's degree such as Biology, Psychology, or Health Sciences, ensuring all required courses for OT graduate school admission are met.

Core Subjects

Click on "i" to learn more about each subject

Career Prospects

Growing Study Prospects
After completing a professional OT program, graduates become licensed occupational therapists. They work across diverse settings like hospitals, schools, and private clinics, helping individuals regain independence and improve their quality of life through therapeutic interventions.

Impact of AI on this Study

AI is increasingly influencing occupational therapy by enhancing diagnostic tools, developing smart assistive devices, and enabling data-driven personalized treatment plans. It supports therapists in optimizing interventions and streamlining administrative tasks.

Duration

4 years

Offered At

Mississippi CollegeOakwood UniversityTennessee Wesleyan UniversityDelaware State UniversityTrevecca Nazarene University

Related Studies

Pre-Optometry Studies

Bachelor

Plant Physiology

Bachelor

Molecular Medicine

Bachelor

Biology/Biological Sciences, General

Bachelor