What can you tell me about O.T. school?
My kid is thinking he might want to be an O.T., and we are hoping to learn more.
Occupational therapy entry level degree is typically a master’s degree these days (though occupational therapy assistant can be done with an associates degree): https://www.aota.org/career/become-an-ot-ota/start-your-career-journey/program-admissions-and-formats
Some years ago, the entry level occupational therapy degree was a bachelor’s degree, but that is no longer available.
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I hope you don’t mind but I changed your title to spell it out. I know there is at least one OT who posts on this forum, and several folks who have kids in OT programs.
Here is the link for the American Occupational Therapy Association. You should find just about everything you need to know there.
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Is your son in HS or college?
Has he shadowed OTs? I would try to shadow if possible (not sure) or set up some informational interviews.
Schools offer a masters and/or an entry level doctorate.
Some schools also offer direct entry BS/MS where you become an OT with a total of 5 years of schooling (ie SUNY Buffalo).
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This section might be very helpful.
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Why wife has been an OT for 27 years. I’m not sure how OT programs have changed since she got her masters.
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He is in high school. He hasn’t yet formally shadowed an OT, but he has been there when both a child family member, and an elderly family member received OT, and he himself has received PT from a specialist in repetitive stress injuries in musicians at a practice that also offers OT for musicians. So he has watched OT’s work. He teaches adaptive swim lessons, and coaches special Olympics, and volunteers with kids with disabilities at a music camp so he has experience with kids with disabilities that is kind of relevant.
He initially wanted to be a music therapist and work with children, but now he is thinking maybe an OT who incorporates music into his practice.
He is wondering how selective OT programs are, and whether he could do a music Ed or music therapy undergrad and OT grad school. He has also heard about 3+2 and 3+3 programs where you get both an undergrad degree and a master or doctoral degree and is wondering if that is a safer route.
My guess is that he can do music therapy undergrad as long as he has the prerequisites, volunteering etc for OT school, but that is just a guess and I am not entirely sure. My advice is to look at a few schools and see.
Are OT programs competitive? I am sure they are, but I cannot speak about the details, how many applicants versus spots, etc. There are a lot of variables to consider, including the strength of an individual applicant.
I would spend some time researching BS/MS programs as well as masters level programs at a variety of schools. If he decides to apply to grad school following college that will give him time to do more research on specific programs, continue to build his resume, etc.
They are selective.
Different skill sets.
I would strongly suggest he find an OT to sit and talk to about all of this. They know the profession, and should know the ins and outs of getting there.
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Would this student be able to major in music therapy while taking the prerequisites for OT school and also volunteering, shadowing etc?
I know other health professionals who have done “untraditional” majors so I thought maybe…
My D considered grad school in OT (before deciding on speech pathology). Takeaways for me based on her very limited consideration would be: 1) a direct five year program would be the most efficient (and possibly cheaper) route; 2) if he doesn’t do a 5 year program he must understand and complete all of the prerequisites (academic coursework, shadowing, etc.) needed to apply for OT grad schools and; 3) I expect the OT grad school programs are competitive in terms of admissions.
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There is also a music therapy association. Check that out.
I guess my question is…how many years in college does this student want to spend?
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I am an OT. Occupational Therapy programs have become very competitive. I always joke that I would never get into a program today, and it was actually competitive to get in when I did but not like now. I highly recommend a direct entry program. It’s easier to transfer out of the program if you find it’s not for you and initial classes will be more Gen Ed type classes.
Music is a good complement to OT but (just me personally) would not recommend music therapy. I have friends in Rec therapy and Music therapy and jobs are much more limited.
OT is a booming profession right now and there are many subspecialties within the profession making it very versatile with job opportunities.
If you have any questions about OT feel free to reach out. Good luck with the decision.
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This is one thing I am wondering, if he can buy some time to make the decision by doing a music therapy undergrad and incorporating the OT prerequisites. My guess is that it would be hard, because music therapy is usually a B.M., so there isn’t a lot of room.
His other thought is to do a music education B.A., which would let him study music, but give him more space in his schedule. I think he could apply for either grad school.
I work in a related field, and there is a lot of overlap. OT, and music therapists and other kind of therapists need to understand typical and atypical development. They need to be able to form rapport with diverse populations, motivate people, and break down tasks.
Yes, of course there are also specific things that are different between the two, but my understanding is that both professions require graduate degrees, and those specific things are usually taught in grad school, which is why OT schools accept a variety of majors.
This is what he is hearing, which is part of why he is rethinking music therapy.
One sub specialty of OT he could look into is Hand Therapy. You do not specialize in OT school. The specialties come after working. In fact you have to be a practicing therapist for over 3 years and over 4000 hours treating hands to sit for the certification to become a certified hand therapist (my specialty). The requirements give you time to also see if you really like it. A sub specialty of hand therapy is Hand Therapy for musicians. A musicians hands are so important and it can be devastating to develop a problem or injury to the wrist hand or elbow. I’ve worked with a few musicians but not my specialty area!
Personally, I think it’s great not to specialize in OT school. I went with the idea I was going to be a pediatric therapist. Ended up not enjoying peds, and instead ended up in the Burn Unit leading to my CHT (certified Hand Therapist).
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My wife started in a Burn Unit, then transitioned to an integrated pre-school, and is now in early intervention, specializing in peds.
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That’s amazing. I loved the burn unit but it can be quite a challenge!!
Love what your wife is doing.
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Poke around college websites that have OT programs 3+3 or 3+2 to get an idea of the progression of required courses. Some schools if they award you undergraduate merit it continues through the grad program but I’m sure that’s rare. Elizabethtown is one that does that and also has music therapy programs
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My sister is an occupational therapist. She did her training at USC. I think it was a direct entry, but I don’t remember. Somebody can check and let me know.
She does a lot of fine motor therapy, and she does put music in the background because a number of students like the classical.
Lots of fine beadwork and trying to hold a writing instrument with continuous range of motion exercises.
She’s the scheduler for per diem supervisees. I am a speech therapist, she’s an OT. Our niece was going to go to PT school so that we could eventually open a rehab center, but my niece changed her major.
We were fine with what we were doing.
I have a good friend who has his own OT practice with 4 OTR’s and 4 assistants. They are very busy, and are extremely exceptional in their knowledge and abilities.
I just looked at UB (as an example) and it looks like you would choose OT as a major and would then be a public health major on a pre-OT track. It doesn’t look like you can choose a different major, and it looks like HS students are invited to the early assurance program if they meet the EA requirements.
Other schools (ex: St Bonaventure) allow students to apply to an EA program directly.