Pre-Occupational Therapy Education

The Occupational Therapy Profession
Occupational therapy is a health care profession using purposeful activity (occupation) as a means of preventing, reducing, or overcoming physical, social, and emotional challenges in people of all ages.  The occupational therapist utilizes practical activities to encourage the recovering patient’s involvement in meaningful daily living.  An occupational therapist works with individuals whose participation in life has been impaired by physical injury/illness, developmental/learning disabilities, psychological/emotional problems or the aging process.  The occupational therapist carefully evaluates each person to determine physical and/or mental strengths and weaknesses.  In conjunction with other health professionals, the occupational therapist develops a goal oriented program using purposeful activities and adaptive equipment to correct identified problems, and to decrease limitations, build strengths, and ensure that life will be meaningful and productive.

Occupational Therapy Education
Creighton’s School of Pharmacy & Allied Health Professions offers a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program.  Once accepted to Creighton’s OTD program, students complete 3 years (6 semesters) of course work.  In addition to the required course work, occupational therapy students complete 2 summers and a semester of field experience.

Undergraduate Preparation
A Bachelor’s degree is now required for application to Creighton and all doctoral level Occupational Therapy programs.  Creighton University’s Occupational Therapy program recommends having some clinical observation hours with an occupational therapist. 

Required and Recommended Courses
The following are entrance requirements for Creighton University’s Occupational Therapy program.  Students who have already earned a Bachelor’s degree are required to have taken a minimum of one course per category.  Courses may not be counted in more than one category.  Students who are considering occupational therapy schools outside of Nebraska are encouraged to contact those schools directly for a list of entrance requirements. 

Theology, Philosophy, and Ethics – 6 hours required 
Courses in the following subjects will apply: Religion, Theology, Ethics, Philosophy, Logic

Culture, Ideas, and Civilizations – 6 hours required 
Courses in the following subjects will apply: History, World Religions, American Studies, World Literature, Women’s Studies

Natural Sciences – 15 hours required 
Courses in the following subjects will apply: Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Physics, Nutrition
** If applying without a Bachelor’s degree, at least one course must be taken from Biological Sciences and at least one course must have a lab.

Social and Behavioral Sciences – 12 hours required
Courses in the following subjects will apply: Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Work, Political Science
** If applying without a Bachelor’s degree, at least one course must be taken from Psychology.  

Creative Expression – 9 hours required 
Courses in the following subjects will apply: English Composition, Dance, Music, Art, Speech, Drama, Journalism, Web Design
** One hands-on fine or performing arts course and one composition course must be taken. 

Critical Discovery/Electives – 12 hours required
Courses in the following subjects will apply: Math, Economics, Foreign Language
** If applying without a Bachelor’s degree, at least one course in statistics or research must be taken. 

Extracurricular Experiences
Pre-Occupational Therapy students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular experiences, such as leadership roles, volunteer work, research, and shadowing, which will help them prepare for occupational therapy school and the occupational therapy profession.  Extracurricular experiences play a significant role in a student’s application to a professional school program.  Such experiences demonstrate a commitment and knowledge about the profession.  In particular, shadowing occupational therapy professionals will help students learn more about the profession. 

Application and Admission
For admission to Creighton’s Occupational Therapy Program, students must apply directly to the program.  The admissions committee reviews grade point average, recommendations, knowledge of the profession, service, and leadership experience.  Applications and information regarding application deadlines may be obtained by contacting Creighton University’s Office of Admissions. 

Additional Resources
American Occupational Therapy Association
http://www.aota.org/

Creighton University
School of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
Admissions Office
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
(402) 280-2662 or (800) 325-2830

http://spahp.creighton.edu