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Pre-Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists help people of all ages to fully engage in their daily lives, from their work and recreation to activities of daily living. There are several specialties, such as training workers to use the correct ergonomics, helping people with low vision maintain their independence, making buildings and homes more accessible, evaluating and training older drivers, helping accident victims regain needed skills, offer assistance to people with mental illness, and promoting health and wellness.

Many practitioners may also choose to help children thrive in the “occupations” of childhood, which include learning, playing and growing. Additional work environments include schools with students who have learning disabilities or behavioral problems and nursing homes or private homes for older people.

(source: Explore Health Careers - Occupational Therapist)

  • Join the Pre-Health Professions Program and request to be added to the Pre-OT Email List
  • Meet with the Pre-Health Professions Advisor each semester to make a professional and academic development plan and review your progress
  • Choose a degree major that you enjoy and that provides a good “back-up plan” and career path in case you change your mind about occupational therapy; common majors include Exercise ScienceBiology, and Psychology, but all majors will be considered if a student completes the prerequisite courses and other admissions standards established by individual OT programs
  • Carefully check admission requirements at OT schools of most interest and take the required coursework; common prerequisites courses include anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, chemistry, biology, statistics, abnormal and developmental psychology, and sociology/anthropology among others. Here is suggested U of I coursework for students interested in Occupational Therapy.

Depending on OT school requirements and participation, the application process may consist of taking the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and then applying through Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).

Carefully check the application requirements and process at each school by reviewing the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) Program Directory.

Other Helpful Links

Pre-Health Professions Program

Physical Address:

Vandal Success Center
Idaho Student Union Building, 3rd floor

Mailing Address:

875 Perimeter Drive MS 2436
Moscow, ID 83844-2436

Phone: 208-885-5809

Email: pre-health@uidaho.edu