If your aspiration is to make a difference in people’s lives as a licensed occupational therapist (OT), it’s essential to lay the groundwork for your success at the earliest opportunity.
To become an occupational therapist, you must complete a graduate program from an accredited school earning either a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree.
Although it’s possible to enter an occupational therapy (OT) program with a bachelor’s degree in any field, certain majors hold greater relevance to a career in occupational therapy than others.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the 12 best undergraduate degrees for occupational therapy and alternative routes to help you become a successful occupational therapist.
1. Occupational Therapy or Pre-Occupational Therapy
If you are an undergraduate student with a clear intention of pursuing a career in occupational therapy, consider opting for a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy or a related field following a pre-occupational therapy track.
These specialized programs are designed to equip students with the skills to excel in OT practice while adequately preparing them for the academic coursework associated with their master’s or doctoral journey.
2. Kinesiology
Kinesiology is the study of human movement and body mechanics, encompassing disciplines such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise science and motor control. It’s a valuable undergraduate degree for occupational therapy due to its:
- Strong foundation in human anatomy and physiology
- Emphasis on movement analysis and biomechanics
- Integration of exercise science and rehabilitation principles
- Coursework in motor control, neuroscience and functional anatomy
A kinesiology degree provides aspiring OTs with comprehensive knowledge of human movement, biomechanics and exercise science. This foundation enhances your ability to assess movement, develop effective treatment plans and understand the impact of conditions on occupational performance.
3. Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of human thoughts, behavior, emotions and social interactions. Psychology provides valuable insight into people’s thought processes and motivations, making it a beneficial path for occupational therapists.
Pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology offers great value to occupational therapists due to its:
- Foundation in understanding human behavior
- Focus on mental health
- Emphasis on effective communication skills
- Exploration of cognitive processes and human development
An undergraduate degree in psychology helps prospective OTs to comprehensively understand human behavior, communication, cognition and mental health, enhancing their ability to provide holistic care.
4. Biology or Biological Sciences
As occupational therapy necessitates a deep understanding of the human body, it’s no surprise that pursuing a biology or biological sciences degree is an excellent choice for those who hope to enter this field.
Biology is the scientific study of living organisms, and explores their structure, function, behavior and interactions at different levels—from cellular to ecological. Biology is one of the best undergraduate degrees for occupational therapy because you’ll gain:
- An understanding of human anatomy, physiology and rehabilitation
- Knowledge of human development and growth
- Awareness of the biological basis of health conditions
- Skills for research and scientific inquiry
By pursuing an undergraduate degree in biology or biological sciences, future occupational therapists develop an understanding of human anatomy, physiology, development and the biological basis of health conditions. This education enhances your ability to assess client needs, design appropriate interventions and contribute to evidence-based practice within the field of occupational therapy.
5. Education
While a bachelor’s degree in education may not come to mind if you plan to pursue a career in healthcare, it’s a valuable path to rehabilitative sciences roles in OT and speech-language pathology (SLP).
An education degree centers on the principles of teaching and learning, which aligns closely with the role of an occupational therapist. As an OT, you would actively educate patients, clients and their caregivers on a daily basis. With an education degree, you’d gain:
- An understanding of learning and instructional strategies
- Assessment and evaluation skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of child development and educational systems
An undergraduate degree in education can complement and enhance your preparation for occupational therapy school, facilitating your ability to work effectively with individuals across various settings and age groups.
6. Sociology
Similar to psychology, sociology is the study of human behavior. This degree also equips students with knowledge of communication, how different cultures function, and problem-solving skills. You’ll need these as an occupational therapist to provide a holistic perspective and a person-centered approach to your care.
Sociology can be a great undergraduate degree for occupational therapy school because you’ll learn about:
- Different cultures
- Understanding human behavior and social systems
- The importance of diversity
- Social interactions
A sociology degree will help to prepare you for occupational therapy school. You’ll be equipped to provide client-centered care, advocate for social justice and collaborate effectively in diverse practice settings.
7. Health Science
A health science degree focuses on the study of health and healthcare delivery. It encompasses various subjects, including anatomy, physiology, public health, healthcare management, epidemiology and health promotion.
Health science is one of the best undergraduate degrees for occupational therapy because you’ll gain:
- A thorough understanding of human anatomy and physiology
- Exposure to various healthcare disciplines
- Knowledge of public health and healthcare systems
- Interpersonal and communication skills
- A foundation in research principles
With a health science degree, you’ll gain key skills in advance of occupational therapy school. You’ll be prepared to provide holistic care, engage in evidence-based practice and contribute to the advancement of healthcare.
8. Exercise Science
Exercise science is a specialized area of kinesiology that centers on the body’s reaction and adjustment to physical activity. It delves into the fundamental processes that influence exercise and its effects on the human body.
There are several reasons why exercise science is one of the best undergraduate degrees for occupational therapy. Through this degree path, you’ll gain:
- A comprehensive understanding of human movement and biomechanics
- Knowledge of exercise prescription and promotion of physical fitness
- An understanding of the integration of physiology and exercise physiology principles
- Complementary coursework in related areas of study
With an exercise science degree, you’ll learn about human movement, exercise physiology, biomechanics and related healthcare disciplines such as physical therapy and rehabilitation. This helps to prepare you for occupational therapy school, allowing you to effectively evaluate movement, prescribe exercises, promote physical fitness and contribute to clients’ overall health and well-being.
9. Child Development
If you want to pursue a career in pediatric occupational therapy, consider starting your journey with an undergraduate degree in child development.
This degree focuses on children’s physical, cognitive, emotional and social development from infancy through adolescence. With a child development degree, you’ll gain:
- An understanding of child development
- Knowledge of developmental disorders
- Effective communication skills with children and families
- Assessment and intervention planning skills
By earning an undergraduate degree in child development, aspiring OTs gain a comprehensive understanding of child growth, developmental milestones and the impact of various factors on children’s well-being. This can strengthen your ability to address the unique needs of children and their families, promote healthy development and provide holistic care in occupational therapy.
10. Recreational Therapy
A recreational therapy (RT) degree focuses on the therapeutic use of recreational activities to enhance individuals’ physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being. Recreational therapists work with people with disabilities, illnesses or injuries to improve their functional abilities, independence and overall quality of life.
With an undergraduate degree in RT, you’ll learn about:
- Therapeutic activity planning
- Promoting functional abilities
- Therapeutic rapport and communication
- Integration of leisure and meaningful activities
The skills you’ll learn with an RT degree can complement the field of occupational therapy, providing a unique perspective and enhancing your ability to provide holistic and client-centered care.
11. Rehabilitation Science
Occupational therapy is a type of rehabilitation, making rehabilitation science one of the best undergraduate degrees for occupational therapy. Rehabilitation science focuses on studying rehabilitation techniques and principles, with a particular emphasis on enhancing individuals’ functional abilities and promoting their overall well-being.
It provides a foundation of knowledge and skills that align well with the field of occupational therapy, such as:
- Understanding of rehabilitation principles
- Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology
- Focus on therapeutic interventions
- Preparation for further education
A rehabilitation science degree can be a strong foundation for pursuing a graduate degree in occupational therapy. The coursework and experience gained in this program will give you a head start in understanding OT principles and practices.
12. Business
Although choosing to major in business may initially appear unconventional for a field centered on the human body, it can be an excellent choice if you plan to start your own practice.
A business degree can be a valuable undergraduate degree for occupational therapy because you’ll learn:
- Entrepreneurial skills
- Financial management
- Leadership and management skills
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
By combining a business degree with occupational therapy training, therapists can establish a strong foundation for both clinical practice and business management. This dual expertise allows you to provide high-quality care and efficiently manage your practice’s finances and operations.
However, it’s crucial to ensure that you fulfill the necessary prerequisites to increase your chances of being accepted into a graduate program for occupational therapy.
What To Do if You Earned a Non-Related Undergraduate Degree
Although pursuing one of the undergraduate degrees mentioned above offers clear advantages for those aspiring to become occupational therapists, this isn’t the sole path to a career in OT.
In reality, many people pursue occupational therapy after earning an undergraduate degree and sometimes after spending considerable time in a different professional workforce.
If you relate, you can follow the steps below to help you get into OT school without a related undergraduate degree.
Complete Prerequisite Courses
To begin, it’s essential to conduct thorough research on the graduate program you intend to apply to, as the specific prerequisites can vary depending on the occupational therapy school of your choice.
For example, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) MOT program’s educational requirements and prerequisites include:
- General Human Anatomy
- Human Anatomy & Human Physiology
- Anatomy and Physiology with Lab
- General Human Physiology
- Developmental Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Statistics
- Medical Terminology
- Sociology or Anthropology courses, such as:
- Sociocultural Anthropology
- Biological Anthropology
You must complete all prerequisite courses in the last five years with a 2.0 or higher GPA.
Get Experience in the Field
Another way to help you get into occupational therapy school is to gain hands-on experience through observation hours or volunteering. Observation involves shadowing a practicing occupational therapist within a clinical setting.
While schools may not always require observation hours for admission into an occupational therapy program, they can serve as a valuable asset to distinguish yourself from other applicants and showcase your familiarity with the profession.
The required observation hours for schools can vary, and typically range from 20 to 100 hours, depending on the specific institution. Some schools may require observations in multiple settings to provide a well-rounded experience.
While shadowing may not be mandatory for your chosen school, it’s often advised to aim for a minimum of 20 hours in multiple settings to showcase your experience in the field. If the program requires observation hours, aim to get more than what they request to help you stand out from other applicants.
Know Why You Want To Become an OT
While having a solid educational background and relevant experience is crucial when applying to OT schools, what truly sets you apart is your motivation and passion for pursuing a career in occupational therapy.
You may need to write an essay for admission during the application process. As part of your submission, you may encounter supplemental questions to provide admissions with deeper insights into your experience, knowledge and professional aspirations.
Some examples of supplemental questions for OT school include:
- What is an occupation you enjoy engaging in, and what positive impact does this have on you?
- List two attributes you consider crucial to being an effective occupational therapist.
- Please share how you have participated in volunteerism to be a force for good in your community.
Launch a Career in OT at USAHS
When considering the best undergraduate degrees for occupational therapy, it’s important to find a program that aligns with your interests and goals.
Whether you choose to pursue a degree directly related to the field or transition from another discipline, what truly matters is your passion, dedication and commitment to positively impacting individuals’ lives through meaningful and holistic care.
With the right undergraduate degree and a strong desire to help others, you can embark on a rewarding journey toward becoming an occupational therapist. If you are interested in learning more about the rewarding profession of occupational therapy, check out the occupational therapy programs available at USAHS.
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929; telephone: 301-652-AOTA; email: www.acoteonline.org accredits the Master of Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Occupational Therapy programs at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences on a campus-by-campus basis.
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program at the Dallas, Texas, campus has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.
