2 answers
2 answers
Ann Gianoglio Burk, MBA
Student/Customer Care Manager | Operations Handywoman | People Developer | Lvl 62 Elf Lore Master LOTRO
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Answers
Updated
Ann’s Answer
Hi Evelyn,
This is a great field to get into. The time to complete your education to become an Occupational Therapist will vary on a number of factors. You will need to get a Master's degree, however you can go from your Bachelor's to your Master's, or you can move through your career more slowly by becoming an Occupational Aide, the Occupational Assistant first and then go for your master's. This route will be slower in the long run, but you will gain experience along the way. Hope this helps!
Check out niche.com to research Occupational Therapist programs.
Start talking to the Admissions departments at your top 3 schools to see how long their programs are.
This is a great field to get into. The time to complete your education to become an Occupational Therapist will vary on a number of factors. You will need to get a Master's degree, however you can go from your Bachelor's to your Master's, or you can move through your career more slowly by becoming an Occupational Aide, the Occupational Assistant first and then go for your master's. This route will be slower in the long run, but you will gain experience along the way. Hope this helps!
Ann recommends the following next steps:
Updated
David’s Answer
I agree with Anne's advice but can provide more details. Occupational Aides are usually CNAs who have on the job training in implementing Occupational Therapy programs set up by an OT so you between 1 and 3 months training to become a CNA and then enough work experience that you get selected to be an Occupational Aide. to become a COTA (certified occupational therapy assistant) you have to go to college for 2 years. To become an OTR (registered occupational therapist) you need a Masters degree which takes at least 5-6 years (4 years bachelors and 1-2 more to get your masters). If you already have a bachelors degree in some other field, you may need to take some prerequisite classes before joining a masters degree. In the future, the OT field is trying to make Phd the minimum requirement so that will mean another year of study.