Question

Pick one of the following cases and describe how you would use the Internet or other avenues of gathering information to help this client get occupational information. Tell us what you found most useful.

C) You are working with a young woman who wants to go into occupational or physical therapy. What education would she need and where can she get it in your home state?

Answer 1

• The first step towards reaching her dreams as an occupational therapist is to earn a relevant bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Depending on the requirements of the chosen graduate school, she may need to earn a bachelor's degree specifically in occupational therapy. However, most will accept a four-year undergraduate degree in biology, psychology, sociology, kinesiology, health science, or even liberal arts.
• In order to qualify for licensure, it is required that therapists have earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy that has been fully approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Along with the classroom learning, two to three-year master’s programs will include extensive field work in hospitals, private homes, residential centers, rehabilitation facilities, clinics, and more under direct supervision.
  
• Licensing requirements for occupational therapists tend to vary significantly from state to state, but most require an application fee, submission of official college transcripts, a background check, and passing scores on the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination.
• After paying the application fee of $500 to $540, she will need to take the exam with your state licensing board and receive a passing score or wait 45 days to retake it. Once she has become licensed as an occupational therapist in her state of residence, she will be required to stay current on therapeutic techniques by completing continuing education credits and renewing the license.
• University of Alabama offers two courses on occupational therapy from where she could study.