Master of Occupational Therapy
School of Allied Medical Professions  

 What is Occupational Therapy?
     Occupational Therapy is the science of using “occupation,” meaning activities with specific goals, in helping people of all ages prevent, lessen, or overcome disabilities.  The occupational therapist, working cooperatively with other members of the health team, uses purposeful activity in a variety of settings to reduce physical and psychosocial disability.
     Occupational therapists work with patients of all ages with such disabilities as cardiac or neurological impairment, arthritis, physical injury, mental retardation, and emotional disturbance.
     In keeping with a national mandate from the Occupational Therapy Association and its accrediting body (ACOTE), The Ohio State University has implemented a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program as of Autumn Quarter, 2003.  The undergraduate occupational therapy program was eliminated.  Thus, new freshman entering the University who are interested in Occupational Therapy will have completed an undergraduate program in preparation for application to the post-baccalaureate program in occupational therapy.
     The change at Ohio State reflects a new philosophy in the profession and will provide students new opportunities for increased exposure to concepts in Occupational Therapy theory and practice demanded by changes in health care practice.  It will ensure that OT graduates from Ohio State and nationwide will receive the background necessary to be truly well prepared and effective professionals.

Career Opportunities in Occupational Therapy?

     Occupational Therapists work in a variety of settings, including private homes, children’s hospitals, general hospitals, rehabilitation centers, state hospitals, public and special schools, sheltered workshops, and other community agencies.  Some therapists establish their own private practices.  With experience or additional education, occupational therapists may become administrators of occupational therapy departments

Salary Trends

Median annual earnings of occupational therapists were $60,470 in May 2006 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

College Preparation

     Students need to select an undergraduate major in preparation for the Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT).  Since the field draws upon a variety of disciplines, there is no single major or even type of major that is better suited than another for undergraduate preparation.
     Students will apply to the MOT program after completion of the bachelor’s degree.  MOT candidates should plan an undergraduate curriculum that will give them a comprehensive base in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities.  Students are encouraged to take advantage of academic opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines in preparation for a very people-oriented profession that relies heavily on interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills.

General Undergraduate Degree Requirements

     In choosing to complete an undergraduate degree at Ohio State, prior to the MOT program, students may enroll in any academic unit offering an undergraduate degree.  Undecided or undeclared students may enroll in USAS for the first year or two of university enrollment.  However, some students may choose to enroll in the School of Allied Medical Professions for the first year or two as Allied Med undecided students.
     During their freshman year, students begin taking courses, which will meet the General Education Curriculum (GEC) requirements.  The GEC is a body of courses designed to ensure that each student becomes acquainted with the basic areas of academic study: writing and related skills, culture/international experience, social diversity in the United States, natural sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities.  Required courses within these areas may vary depending on the degree area the student decides to pursue.

How to Prepare for the Master in Occupational Therapy Program at Ohio State

     Admission to the Master in Occupational Therapy is expected to be highly competitive.  Qualified applications will have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum overall GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.  They will be required to submit competitive GRE scores, and must have completed a minimum of 40 documented hours of practical experience (observation, volunteer and/or work experience) in an occupational therapy setting in at least two of the following areas: mental health, rehabilitation, pediatric and gerontology settings.
     The following courses must be completed prior to beginning the MOT program: Abnormal psychology (3 credit hours), Human Biology (5 credit hours), General Sociology (5 credit hours), Human anatomy (5 - 6 credit hours), Human physiology (5 credit hours), English composition (5 credit hours) and General Statistics (5 credit hours).

Occupational Therapy Requirements

     The professional occupational therapy curriculum will present the foundations of occupational therapy theory and science, models of occupational therapy practice, and clinical experiences using a problem-based, case study approach.  Through their study of multiple views of practice and the interdisciplinary origins of occupational therapy theories, students will be expected to apply basic science, analyze theoretical assumptions, and evaluate application of intervention in laboratory exercises.  The program will culminate in six months of supervised fieldwork experience.  Students will enroll for nine consecutive quarters (including summers).

More About Occupational Therapy?

     The occupational therapy program at Ohio State is the oldest program of its kind in Ohio and is very well respected nationally.  Some of the program’s features include:

• Student laboratory facilities and classroom instruction in one building
• A caring faculty dedicated to quality instruction
• An excellent placement rate
• Fieldwork assignments in a wide variety of locations inside and outside Ohio.

 About Ohio State

     The Ohio State University is recognized throughout the nation and the world for its innovative programs, exceptional faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities.  In fact, Ohio State is consistently ranked amoung the country’s best institutions for overall academic reputation.  Because Ohio State is a major teaching and research university, students who choose to pursue an undergraduate degree at Ohio State receive excellent preparation for entry into top graduate/professional programs and the job market.
     Offering over 170 majors and more than 10,500 courses, Ohio State allows students to tailor their education to their interests through double majors, minors, and personalized study programs.  With hundreds of student activities and organizations, the university also offers a diversity of extracurricular experiences to those who want to be involved.

For More Information

     Contact the Division of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, School of Allied Medical Professions, The Ohio State University, 406 Atwell Hall, 453 West Tenth Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210-1262; 614-292-9579.  Look for us on the World Wide Web at http://www.amp.ohio-state.edu/.

Printable Undergraduate Planning Sheet