Along with enhancing your communication and problem-solving abilities, job experience in supportive positions with vulnerable groups can also help you gain exposure to various work contexts.
You’ll discover more about the difficulties these groups encounter on a social and psychological level. The elderly, individuals with disabilities, kids and teenagers, persons with mental health conditions, people with physical health conditions, and those who have been hurt are some examples of vulnerable groups.
Before we list the simplest occupational therapy school to get into, let’s briefly go over some crucial information that prospective occupational therapy students need to be aware of.
Who is an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapists are qualified medical professionals who offer treatments to people with developmental, emotional, mental, or physical problems. They also employ daily activities to enhance health.
This team of experts works with individuals of all ages to acquire, regain, enhance, and strengthen the abilities they require to engage in daily life. They work in a number of places, including as schools and children’s hospitals, as well as in people’s homes, community centers, hospitals for rehabilitation, workplaces, and nursing homes.
For instance, a nurse may help a patient with pain management, dressing changes, and post-operative recovery care. Contrarily, an occupational therapist will evaluate the patient’s essential tasks and educate them how to reclaim their independence after surgery, enabling them to carry out the duties that make them who they are.
The easiest way to be admitted to study OT Schools
Below is the way to gain admission to occupational therapy school of your choice:
- Get a bachelor’s degree
- Take the GRE
- Complete OT observation hours
- Explore occupational therapy specialties
- Write an impressive personal statement.
Get a bachelor’s degree
Before you can pursue a master’s or PhD in occupational therapy, you must hold a bachelor’s degree. For the majority of graduate programs, your bachelor’s degree can be in any field or a diverse range of disciplines.
You can work in this field after receiving a bachelor’s degree in another subject. On the other hand, if you are certain that you want to become an occupational therapist, you can choose a related bachelor’s degree.
Take the GRE
Typically, applicants to occupational therapy programs must have GRE scores. Don’t take the GRE lightly. There are a ton of resources for studying available.
You can and should study for a few months prior to your exam. Consider enrolling in a structured study or training program if you are anxious about the exam or struggle with standardized tests.
Complete OT observation hours
30 hours of occupational therapy observation are often required by occupational therapy colleges. Shadowing is the term for this. It’s also advised that you accrue observation hours if you choose to enroll to an online OT schools program.
Explore occupational therapy specialties
Prior to applying to OT school, you are not needed to select a specialty. If you have little background knowledge on the subject, this can be challenging. On the other hand, doing your homework and thinking about a specialism can be advantageous during the application process.
Write an impressive personal statement
Top candidates for OT schools must do more than just fulfill the prerequisites. A decent GPA, a GRE score, and the required amount of observational hours are not sufficient.
You want every aspect of your application, from further shadowing time in diverse locations to a strong personal essay, to make an impression on the OT school administration.
At this time, you ought to have a firm grasp of the occupational therapy sector and your future plans for using your degree and expertise.
OT Schools with the Easiest Admission Requirements
#1. Bay Path University
The Bay Path University Master of Occupational Therapy degree is highly sought for. Courses in their curriculum prepare students for generalist practice. The awareness, knowledge, and skill that BAY University’s MOT programs are built upon.
This accessible OT schools emphasizes Ethics, Evidence-Based Practices, Meaningful Occupations, Function, and Collaborative Learning while structuring courses to encourage student learning progression.
#2. Boston University (BU)
At Boston University, an occupational therapy program that is evidence-based, client-centered, and planned from a life-course perspective integrates academic courses and fieldwork.
Concepts, theories, and applications of occupational therapy will be covered by professors and practitioners with a solid reputation in the local, national, and international communities.
You will acquire a remarkable variety of clinical experience through Level I and Level II Fieldwork placements chosen from BU’s extensive network of regional and national clinical sites beginning in your first semester and continuing throughout the three-year entry-level ctor of Occupational Therapy curriculum.
#3. Cedar Crest College
The mission of Cedar Crest College is to offer students cutting-edge chances to acquire degrees that will transform their lives and have a positive impact on the world.
The brand-new doctoral program in occupational therapy prepares moral leaders in the field who are committed to clinical excellence, practice that is informed by science, advocacy for occupational justice and beneficial social change, and meeting the health and occupational needs of various populations.
Through visits to community-based practice sites, developing practice sites, and cutting-edge practice areas, students get the chance to gain knowledge about this dynamic field.
Students who pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy from Cedar Crest College are prepared to use core abilities like analysis, flexibility, critical thinking, communication, and creativity.
#4. Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU)
The goal of GMercyU’s occupational therapy program is to develop skilled, self-aware, morally upright, and compassionate occupational therapists in the Sisters of Mercy tradition.
By offering education that emphasizes honesty, decency, respect, service, and the advancement of occupational justice, this mission is achieved.
Graduates from this accessible OT program will be ready to work as generalists, recognize the value of using people-first language, and carry out occupation-based, empirically supported, and client-centered treatment practices to advance the health and well-being of individuals and society.
#5. Clarkson University
The goal of the occupational therapy program at Clarkson is to produce therapists who are equipped to address both the present and future societal issues that have an impact on people’s occupations.
This school makes use of experiential learning to assist students in internalizing functional models for performing occupational therapy in culturally diverse, cutting-edge practice environments.
#6. SUNY Downstate
You learn more than just knowledge and skills when you pursue an occupational therapy master’s degree at Downstate.
Immersion in the occupational therapy culture is another important aspect.
You need empathy, patience, and insight to know what approaches and techniques to use to help individuals live their best lives.
You’ll discover how to combine technical expertise with a wealth of practical experience as an OT student.
#7. Hofstra University
Long Island, New York-based Hofstra University’s 68-credit Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program trains students to work as registered and licensed occupational therapists.
At Hofstra University, the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program aims to produce competent, caring, and evidence-based practitioners who have the knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and competencies necessary to be lifelong learners capable of meeting occupational standards and societal demands.
#8. Springfield College
Transformative approaches to healthcare education, career progression, service, research, and leadership are made possible by the new Springfield College Health Sciences Center.
The Center expands on the success of the School of Health Sciences and maintains its position as the top option for the best faculty, staff, and students.
#9. Husson University
Approximately 40 students are accepted each year by the occupational therapy program at Husson University. A Master of Science in Occupational Therapy can be earned after completing the first year of the program. A cadaver dissection facility, an outstanding library, wireless computer access, and an occupational therapy lecture and lab are just a few of Husson University’s resources.
The institution is committed to giving its pupils a top-notch education.
The mission statement and educational objectives that drove and supervised the construction of the course of study show this dedication.
#10. Kean University
The master’s program in occupational therapy at Kean University offers a thorough education in the discipline for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject.
30 or so students are admitted to the program each September. Each student is required to complete six months of supervised fieldwork in an approved clinical setting in addition to five semesters of mandatory academic coursework.
The curriculum offers a wide variety of practical clinical experiences and fieldwork to students starting in their first semester. Additionally, Kean offers a clinic on campus where students can practice and hone their occupational therapy abilities while working with real patients.
#11. University at Buffalo
Within the SUNY system, only the UB five-year BS/MS program allows you to earn an entry-level OT degree within five years of high school completion.
A bachelor’s degree in occupational science and a master’s degree in occupational therapy are the results of their five-year occupational therapy curriculum.
While assuring that you are ready to pass the national certification exam and state licensure criteria to enter the profession, this curriculum is flexible enough to accommodate your unique needs and interests.
#12. Long Island University
The goal of the LIU Brooklyn Occupational Therapy programs is to prepare entry-level occupational therapists with the knowledge and expertise necessary to work successfully in the rapidly evolving urban health care environment, as well as to equip patients and clients with skills for the workplace and at home.
#13. Mercy College
If you want a career in occupational therapy that will never end in rewards, Mercy College’s Graduate Occupational Therapy (OT) weekend program is for you. This college provides a two-year, full-time weekend program with 60 credits that meets every other weekend.
The curriculum at an OT school with a relaxed admissions policy combines lectures with discussions, hands-on activities, problem-based learning (PBL), small group problem solving, and our ground-breaking “learning by doing” attitude.
#14. Messiah University
Messiah University’s Master of Occupational Therapy program will give you the skills you need to become an effective, in-demand occupational therapist and a leader in your industry. In Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, there is an accredited full-time, 80-credit residential program with a state-of-the-art learning environment created especially for occupational therapy students.
#15. University of Pittsburgh
You may integrate evidence-based practice, comprehend shifting health care delivery models, and participate as a change agent in the occupational therapy sector thanks to Pitt’s doctor of occupational therapy program.
You will be mentored by faculty members who are also well-known physicians and researchers.
They will lead you through coursework, fieldwork, and capstone exercises that go above the generalist level of an occupational therapist.
Thanks to their creative leadership and emphasis on advocacy, you’ll not only graduate equipped to pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Examination, but you’ll also be prepared to practice at the highest level of your licensure.
FAQs about OT Schools with the Easiest Admission Requirements
What’s the easiest OT school to get into?
The easiest OT schools to gain admission are: Bay Path University, Boston University (BU), Cedar Crest College, Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU), Clarkson University…
How long does it take to finish OT?
What is the hardest part of OT school?
For many students, gross anatomy, neuroscience/neuroanatomy, and kinesiology are the most challenging courses (including myself). The majority of the time, these courses are taken at the beginning, assisting in ensuring that accepted students are ready for the demands of graduate school.
Conclusion
Collaboration skills are essential for an occupational therapist who wants to be part of a multidisciplinary team.
Being able to successfully express patients’ and family members’ needs and goals to a range of medical providers is crucial because a large portion of an occupational therapist’s job involves offering a holistic view on what a patient genuinely wants out of the rehabilitation process.
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