People’s awareness on various disabilities is continuously increasing and we strive to improve the lives of those who have certain challenges. Because of this, many medical professions which were not very popular are gaining higher recognition. One of them is Occupational Therapy. That’s why this article will go through how to choose a university and what the best OT schools are.
What Is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy (OT) is the necessary field to enable those who have certain disabilities, whether physical or mental, to overcome them and continue their lives. Those who practice this profession work with the people with disabilities to help them in maintaining their everyday lives and skills, their jobs and hobbies. Besides working the primary person who has a disability, the Occupational Therapist is also involved in working with the family and close circle of the person. They might give them training, tips, and other valuable skills on how to assist the disabled person.
Since this job is so essential, it is having increasing growth and also earns a high salary. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Occupational Therapist job will experience a 27% job growth in the coming years.
The median salary is also $80,150 per year and is seen as one of the top healthcare careers.
To practice this job, you need to attend medical school and then complete a higher education degree in one of the best OT schools out there. Each school offers various approaches to it, but it is highly important that you pick a university which will give you the skills and knowledge to succeed.
How to choose an OT school?
If you have decided to become an Occupational Therapist and want to get your master’s degree in the field, there are several criteria you can consider.
Look into the curricula
You already have a vision of what you want your OT career to be like. After researching the profession, you also know what courses you want to take. Make a list of the courses that your OT program must have and then find universities which have them. If there is a university which does not have the classes you are looking for, do not apply there. Only apply to places which will serve your educational and professional needs.
Research the rankings
Many students place a high importance on university rankings. Rankings are subjective and they change each year depending on a number of factors, but they are worth considering. Looking at the list of universities you made which offer the classes you want, and organize them based on their rankings.
Ultimately, rankings are not very important, but it is also good to choose a school which has an average or above average ranking. Universities with very low rankings might not signal high quality to potential employers, so also take into consideration how the university you go to will be perceived by others.
Consider costs
Besides rankings, you must also be able to afford the program. Universities with high rankings will have higher tuition costs, so make a plan about how you will fund your education. Potential ways of going to grad school for free include applying for scholarships, getting a fellowship, or applying for financial aid.
Pick a method of study
And finally, look into your schedule and situation to pick the best method of study. If you are someone who has a busy schedule and other obligations, you can decide to become a part-time student or enroll in a distance learning program. Otherwise, you can enroll as a full time student in a traditional classroom.
What Are The Best OT Schools?
Taking into account all the conditions that you can use to choose a university to complete your Master’s in Occupational Therapy, we have prepared a list of 5 of the best and most affordable universities where you can get this degree.
- San Jose University
- Tuition cost: $13,476
- Length of study: 24 months
- Rank: #37
- Accreditation: Accreditation Counsel for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
- Salem State University
- Tuition cost: Residents – $21,620; Non-residents – $49,256
- Length of study: 94 Credit Hours
- Rank: #126
- Accreditation: ACOTE
- Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Allied Health Professionals
- Tuition cost: Residents – $23,366; Non-residents – $51,058
- Length of study: 91 Credit Hours
- Rank: #75
- Accreditation: ACOTE
- University of Florida Health
- Tuition cost: $25,480
- Length of study: 24 months
- Rank: #17
- Accreditation: ACOTE
- Towson University
- Tuition cost: Residents – $31,078 ; Non-residents – $64,370
- Length of study: 82 Credit Hours
- Rank: #25
- Accreditation: ACOTE