Occupational therapy is a great profession that is focused on helping clients improve their well-being through occupation. Occupational therapy is a highly rewarding profession that is important in enhancing the quality of life for individuals in a community. A masters in occupational therapy is an opportunity to expand your expertise and knowledge in the profession and to become a full occupational therapist. In this article, we’ll discuss the details of pursuing a masters in occupational therapy by exploring its definition, the benefits it offers, specialization options, curriculum and timeline, as well as considerations for international students.
Contents
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy is a healthcare profession that aims to improve an individual’s ability to function, be independent, and have a better quality of life. Occupational therapists help individuals of all ages to overcome different kinds of disabilities that are caused by things like injuries, illness, and old age. Their goal is to help those individuals engage in daily activities that are necessary for living an independent life that is full of well-being.
Benefits of Pursuing A Occupational Therapy Master
Below are some of the benefits of pursuing a masters in occupational therapy.
While an undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor’s degree, allows you to become an occupational therapy assistant, obtaining a graduate degree in occupational therapy is necessary to become a fully practicing occupational therapist. It’s important to note that all states require occupational therapists to obtain a license in the field of occupational therapy.
To become a licensed occupational therapist, you must pass the exam set by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). However, to qualify to take the NBCOT exam, you must have obtained a masters in occupational therapy.
Occupational Therapy is a Very Rewarding Career (Not Only Because of High Salaries
Working with the purpose of serving people and improving their lives is considered one of the main reasons people join the occupational therapy field. As an occupational therapist, you will be able to connect with clients on a meaningful level while helping them improve the quality of their lives, which is why this career brings satisfaction to occupational therapists. In fact, Occupational therapy ranked #4 in the list of best jobs in America.
Timeline and Curriculum
The timeline and curriculum for a masters in occupational therapy program varies depending on which program you attend. However, most programs are very similar in the way they design their curriculums and the time it takes to complete it. Several programs require students to complete about 65 credits to graduate in a masters in occupational therapy program. Most programs take between two and three years to complete, but it’s possible to complete some programs in about one year if the students have completed an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy.
Programs cover the theory behind occupational theory while also providing students with the skills and professional practice to excel in the field. In addition, students are expected to complete fieldwork to apply the knowledge and skills they were able to learn in class. During fieldwork, students get hands-on experience by practicing at settings like schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics.
Tuition and fees for masters in occupational therapy may be different depending on which program you choose. For example, New York University’s program, which is considered one of the best masters in occupational therapy programs in America, expects students to pay $2,101 per credit. Nevertheless, many programs allow applicants to apply for need-based or merit-based financial aid, or to apply for scholarships and fellowships. In addition, it is possible to receive federal or private loans to finance your education.
Requisites and Admissions
To be considered for a masters in occupational therapy program in the U.S. applicants must have a U.S. Bachelor’s degree or its four-year equivalent from an accredited university. Also, many programs require applicants to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 before applying to be considered. While not all programs require a GRE exam score to be submitted, some programs do. In addition, several programs expect students to have completed some prerequisite courses to apply if they don’t have an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy. Some of those courses may include developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and human anatomy.
Occupational Therapy Masters' for International Students
To enroll in a masters in occupational therapy program, international students that come from countries that don’t speak English as their first language are expected to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores to demonstrate their ability to speak the English language.
Post-Graduation Salaries
With this master, graduates are eligible to take the NBCOT exam. By passing the NBCOT exam, graduates can professionally practice being occupational therapists, which means they will earn the salary for being a licensed occupational therapist. On average, people that have any kind of master’s degree earn an average of 18 percent more over their lifetime than people who only have a bachelor’s degree. The average salary for graduates with a masters in occupational therapy is $95,356. Additionally, the majority of masters in occupational therapy salaries range between $80,000 and $108,000.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a master is a necessity to becoming a full, practicing occupational therapist. There are many careers that you can pursue as an occupational therapist. For instance, you can become a private practitioner or independent contractor in schools or home health agencies. Similarly, a health facility practitioner or administrator is a common career that occupational therapists pursue, but however, there are several other careers that can be pursued with a masters in occupational therapy degree. Some of the universities that have the best masters programs to consider include Columbia University, University of Southern California, and New York University. Ultimately, it’s up to you to choose the program that you think fits your needs best. It’s important to consider the location, financial aid, and the curriculum when making your choice.
