Are you thinking about becoming an occupational therapist (OT)? Learn more about how occupational therapy may be right for you.
Why you should consider a career in occupational therapy
Dr. Carrie Bath-Scheel loves her job.
When asked what drew her to work as an occupational therapist, Dr. Bath-Scheel said that working with all ages of people was a high priority for her. Occupational therapists get to serve clients in an especially meaningful way. OTs sometimes see clients on some of their worst days. Therefore, it’s important to be a patient-centered OT.
As the program director, Dr. Bath-Scheel said that working with students is the best part. Particularly, she loves watching students grow more confident as they continue to grow more competent in the course material. “Our program creates leaders, and our students become comfortable [leading.]”
Three occupational therapy program formats
Concordia University Wisconsin offers the entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program in three formats – accelerated, blended, and transitional. They are based on a liberal arts foundation and encompass 2-3 years of professional education beyond a bachelor’s degree.
- The Accelerated format is designed for high school students looking to pursue a bachelor’s AND master’s degree.
- The Blended format is designed for applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
- The Transitional format is designed for Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) with at least one year of experience and an associate’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Student preparedness
A hands-on approach to learning
Our curriculum is designed to give students the opportunity to experience various client problems throughout the courses. From pediatrics to gerontology, students experience a wide range of client ages.
Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, and our fieldwork opportunities reflect that as well. School systems, factories, acute care facilities, and community wellness are some examples of places where students will either have fieldwork, client evaluation, or consultation experiences. In fact, our students begin working with clients right away in their first semester in the program.
Program outcomes & work outlooks
- Concordia University’s OT graduates have a 97% pass rate on the NBCOT exam
- In 2019, the program had an 88% graduation rate. This means that of the students who began the program, 88% of them successfully completed it.
- The job outlook for occupational therapists is promising. There is a 17% growth rate in the profession projected between 2020 and 2030.
Ready to begin?
Do you see yourself working in a role that helps people make progress toward returning to work and/or overcoming challenges?
LEARN MORE ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AT CONCORDIA
Note: This blog was originally published on December 23, 2020. It has been updated to reflect current information.
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