Pre-Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists help people of all ages overcome challenges and participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Occupational therapists work with those who need specialized assistance to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives due to physical, developmental, social or emotional problems. Carroll University’s pre-occupational therapy emphasis prepares you to pursue your graduate education in occupational therapy.

OTs make a significant difference in the daily lives of people in need

Occupational therapists use the "occupations" of self-care, work and play/leisure to help people maintain independence, enhance development and/or prevent disability. To achieve these goals occupational therapists may adapt the task or the environment. They help people regain skills or find new ways of doing everyday activities the rest of us take for granted. These can include everything from getting dressed, to performing job-related functions, to driving, to cooking a meal or playing a sport and more.

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) identifies six practice areas:

• Children and youth
• Health and wellness
• Mental health
• Productive aging
• Rehabilitation
• Disability and participation
• Work and industry

The need for OTs is on the rise

Employment of occupational therapists is expected to increase 33 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. As a comparison, health diagnosing and treating practitioners are predicted to increase by 26 percent and total all occupations by 14 percent.

To become an occupational therapist, you must complete an undergraduate degree with required prerequisites, graduate from an entry-level occupational therapy education program (Master's or Doctoral level) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and sit for the National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination.

Take the first step toward becoming an occupational therapist

You can prepare for graduate occupational therapy education at Carroll University through the completion of an undergraduate degree and the specific required prerequisite courses of the occupational therapy educational program. Students are encouraged to add a pre-occupational therapy emphasis to the following undergraduate majors and work with campus advisors to create a customized completion plan. Additionally, Carroll's health and human experience minor would provide excellent preparation for the occupational therapy graduate program.

Majors approved for pre-occupational therapy students:

• Animal Behavior
• Biology
• Communication
• English and Writing
• Exercise Science
• Health Care Administration
• History
• Music
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology
• Spanish

Carroll University’s Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program is an accelerated, two-year, post-baccalaureate program that prepares students to pursue one of the most rewarding and fastest growing health care careers in Wisconsin and nationwide. Carroll alumni receive a calculated advantage in the competitive, graduate-level admission process.

• Carroll University Catalog | Pre-Occupational Therapy Program
• Carroll Master of Occupational Therapy Program
• Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP)
• Science and Language Undergraduate Development (SALUD)
• Health and Human Experience Minor
• Pre-Health Professionals Student Organization