Pre-Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists treat patients of all ages with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. An occupational therapist uses the occupations of self-care, work, and play or leisure activities to increase independence, enhance development and prevent disability.

Major Selection

As an undergraduate student, you may choose any major in preparation for attending occupational therapy school. Occupational therapy schools do not have a specific preference on a particular major, so you are encouraged to choose a major based on your own personal interests and strengths. What’s important is that you have completed the prerequisite courses required by the institution you are applying to.

Prerequisite Courses

Requirements may vary from school to school, so you will want to research different program requirements. In general, most occupational therapy schools will expect applicants to have completed the following types of courses:

Course Course Title Required or Recommended
CHEMISTRY
General Chemistry I Required
General Chemistry I Lab Required
General Chemistry II Recommended
General Chemistry II Lab Recommended
BIOLOGY
Cell Biology Required
Cell Biology Lab Required
Organismal Biology Required
Organismal Biology Lab Required
Human Anatomy Required
Human Anatomy Lab Required
Human Physiology Required
Human Physiology Lab Required
ENGLISH
ENGL 3-6 credits Required
MATH
Calculus I Recommended
, , Statistics Required
PSYCHOLOGY
General Psychology Required
PSY Upper-division Psychology Required
OTHER
  Medical Terminology Recommended

*Other courses may be required/recommended by specific programs. You are responsible for knowing the requirements for each individual program. Policies on AP, IB and community college credits vary by institution.

For a complete listing of accredited occupational therapy schools and their admission requirements, visit the .

Admissions Test

The GRE is comprised of the following sections:

  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Analytical Writing

Resources