Occupational Therapy

The Degree

Occupational Therapists help people regain or learn daily living, leisure/play, and work skills. Each day is made up of tiny "jobs," from getting dressed in the morning to eating breakfast to driving a car. For most of us, these jobs don't seem like work at all, but things we do in order to simply live. However, many people have difficulties with these tasks because of developmental disabilities, or as a result of a debilitating disease or injury. Children and adults with any kind of disability or development delay may struggle with the "job of life." they may have physical or mental problems that make it hard to do everyday things. Or, they may have suffered an injury or been in an accident. No matter what the cause, it is important for people to be able to do the activities that they need and want to do. Occupational therapists help people do those things.

Work Settings

Occupational therapists may work in hospitals, rehabilitation or mental health programs, public schools, nursing care facilities, community settings, private clinics, and physician's offices, or even in industry preventing work related dysfunctions.

Therapists collaborate with individuals with permanent disabilities or temporary disabilities in the use of adaptive equipment, or design equipment needed at home or at work to maintain a high quality of life.

Admission / Prerequisites

Admission requires a minimum overall 3.0 gpa and minimum grade of "C" in all prerequisite courses. Applicants are also required to take the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) and need a minimum of 297 to be considered for admission. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

The deadline for applications is January 10th

Students wishing to apply for the MS in Occupational Therapy must have an undergraduate degree (in any field) and the following prerequisites:

Principles of Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs - Biol 2140/2141 &Biol 2150/2151

Statistics - Bios 1500, Math 2228, Math 2283, or Psyc 2101

Medical Terminology - Hima 3000

Philosophy course - Phil 1110, 1175, 1180, 1500, or 2275 (pick one)

Developmental Psychology - Psyc 3206

Abnormal Psychology - Psyc 4375

Intro to Sociology or Anthropology - Soci 2110, or Anth 1000 or 2200

Intro to Occupational Therapy - Occt 3000 (required for ECU undergraduates. Recommended for all other applicants)

Occupational Therapy Website