Occupational Therapy
High Point University > Pre-Professional Programs > Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy is the use of assessment and treatment to develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and work skills of people with a physical, mental, or cognitive disorder. Occupational therapists also focus much of their work on identifying and eliminating environmental barriers to independence and participation in daily activities.

The demand for occupational therapy services is strong. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected employment of occupational therapists to increase by 26% and of occupational therapy assistants to increase by 30% or
more between 2008 and 2018. This projection is based on the Bureau’s assumptions that demographic trends and advances in medical technology will continue to fuel demand for therapy services.

Schedule an appointment with one of the advisors listed above at any point in your academic journey.

 

The occupational therapy advisors are:

HPU students have been accepted to the following Masters (MOT) or Doctorate (DOT) programs:

  • Bay Path University (MOT)
  • Belmont University (DOT)
  • Washington University at St. Louis (DOT)
  • St. Louis University (DOT)
  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (DOT)
  • MGH Institute of Health Professions (DOT)
  • Winston-Salem State University (MOT)

Students wishing to apply to Occupational Therapy schools will need to consult the specific prerequisites of the schools to which applications are made. While the amount may vary, Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy schools require hands-on experience within the field as part of the application requirements. Most Occupational Therapy programs are at the Masters level. Applicants should expect to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

High Point University courses that are prerequisites for Occupational Therapy Schools:

  • PHS/BIO 2060 – Human Physiology (4 credits)
  • ANA/BIO 2070 – Human Anatomy (4 credits)
  • PSY 2000 – Introduction to Psychology (4 credits)
  • PSY 2250 – Abnormal Psychology (4 credits)
  • PSY 2300 – Lifespan Development (4 credits)
  • SOA 1020 – Introduction to Sociology (4 credits)
  • PSY 2100 – Statistics for Psychology or STS 2020 – Introduction to Statistics (4 credits)
  • ATR 1300 – Medical Terminology (1 credit)

View the full 4-year plan of study for exercise science majors at High Point University

Student interested in attending an occupational therapy school will need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Preparation for this test should begin in the summer prior to the junior year and the exam should be taken during junior year of undergraduate study.

View the resources available from the HPU Library to assist with GRE prep.

In order to be eligible to sit for the NBCOT certification examination, one must graduate from an ACOTE-accredited program.

View a list of all ACOTE-accredited master’s programs and doctoral programs.