Pre-Occupational Therapy courses
Pre-Occupational Therapy
2024-25 catalog edits in-progress
LISA SZAFRAN, Associate Professor ( Psychology & Neuroscience )
B.A., Nazareth 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@; M.A. & Ph.D., SUNY at Buffalo
Occupational therapists help patients regain control over important job-related or day-to-day functions that may have been impaired through accident, disease or birth trauma.
365体育投注_365体育备用网址@'s pre-OT program includes courses in biology, psychology, and sociology. The flexibility of the Pre-OT curriculum allows a student to satisfy entrance requirements to most of the occupational therapy schools in the country, and it prepares students for success both in graduate school and in their career.
365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ assists pre-occupational therapy students in gaining clinical experience. The clinical experience required for entrance into occupational therapy programs is made available through the college at a variety of clinics in the Quad-Cities area and beyond. Note: Pre-OT is not a major; the student can major in any field; biology, psychology, and/or kinesiology are most common. For more information, contact Pre-OT advisor Dr. Lisa Szafran.
365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ offers two program options in pre-occupational therapy:
The first option is a four-year B.A. program (nearly any major) at 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ followed by graduate work in occupational therapy. Students who choose this option may apply to any graduate program in the country. 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ graduates who have met established criteria have a significant admissions advantage over students from other schools. It is important to check on requirements of graduate programs on a regular basis, as pre-requisites and other application requirements may change.
Clinical occupational therapy experience is often a requirement for admission to a graduate program. Opportunities to gain such experience may be arranged through CORE with local hospitals, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes.
The second option is a coordinated degree program in occupational therapy with Washington University in St. Louis. In this program, the student spends three years at 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ followed by either two years (Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree) or three years (Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy) at Washington University. The student can choose a major in any field, but all graduate program pre-requisites must be met prior to matriculation. The student must complete a Senior Inquiry in the chosen major during the junior year or summer following the junior year.
Prior to attending Washington University, the student must: 1) complete all 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ general education courses, with the exception of the last 30-credits at the 300+ level; 2) major requirements unless waived by the appropriate department (with the possible exception of BIOL358/Neuroanatomy* for the biology major.) *If the student plans to transfer WU's Neurobiology credits back to 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ to be applied toward the biology major, then BIOL358 cannot be taken.
It is important to check on requirements of the WU OT graduate program on a regular basis, as pre-requisites and other application requirements may change.
Acceptance into the 3:2 (MS) or 3:3 (OTD) WUOT programs is not guaranteed. It is a highly competitive process, and all applicants are considered based on their merits and achievements. Once enrolled at Washington University, the student transfers as many as 30 appropriate 300-level credits to 365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ to complete remaining requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
Program outline of recommended courses
BIOL 130 (Molecules to Cells); recommended for first or second year
BIOL 351 Human Anatomy; recommended for second year or third year
BIOL 362 Human Physiology; recommended for third year
PSYC 100 Intro to Psychology; recommended for first or second year
PSYC 216 Human Development; recommended for first, second or third year
PSYC 240 Statistics; recommended for first, second or third year
PSYC 224 Psychological Disorders; recommended for second year
SOAN 101 Intro to Sociology; recommended for first or second year
RELG 355 Medical Ethics; recommended for third or fourth year
CLAS 290 Greek/Latin for Science; can be taken at any time; Shadowing and internships may be done at any time.
Other relevant courses in biology (e.g., Neuroanatomy - BIOL 358) psychology (any upper-level course); math (e.g., Calculus – MATH160), sociology (any upper-level course), physics, philosophy, speech communication (e.g. Public Speaking-COMM 101), first aid and CPR certification may be required or suggested by specific graduate programs.
Prerequisites for the 3:2 or 3:3 OT program at the Washington University in St. Louis
The OT program with Washington University stipulates that you must have four of the following six prerequisites completed with a grade of B or better by the time of your application:
- Physiology (e.g., BIOL 362 Human Physiology; prerequisites: BIOL 130)
- One upper-level life science course (e.g., Human Anatomy; BIOL 351)
- One social science course (e.g., PSYC 100, SOAN 101, economics, political science, anthropology)
- One statistics course (e.g., PSYC 240),
- Abnormal Psychology (e.g., PSYC 224)
- Developmental Psychology (e.g., PSYC 216)
365体育投注_365体育备用网址@ 3-2 & 3:3 applicants are not guaranteed admission at Washington University. In order to be competitive applicants, they should also have:
- A cumulative GPA at the end of seven terms of 3.25 or above
- At least 30 hours of OT-related experience, including at least some time directly shadowing an OT
- Three letters of recommendation, including one from Dr. Szafran as the pre-OT advisor and one from someone who supervised during OT-related experience
- Demonstration of life experience including work, extracurricular activities, leadership, honors, community service and/or research
Admitted students also are encouraged to get their CPR certifications and take medical terminology (CLAS290) before matriculation to the OT program.