Pre-Occupational Therapy Advising

While USD does not have an occupational therapy school or specific major, students are encouraged to choose a major that offers the following courses:

Typical* required courses

• 1 year of English/USD Core Requirement – FYW + Upper Division Writing course
• 1 year of Anatomy and Physiology – Bio 212, Bio 213
• 1 semester of Statistics – Math 120 (most will accept Psych stats or Biostats)
• 2 semesters of Developmental Psychology – Psych 314 and Psych 316
• 1 semester of Psychology – Psyc 101
• 1 semester of Abnormal Psychology – Psyc 355
• 1 semester of Sociology – Soc 101

*These courses will satisfy the requirements for most occupational therapy schools. Make sure that you check for additional requirements at your selected schools. Most schools want you to have completed the required courses prior to the time of application. Take all required classes for a grade; pass/fail is not acceptable. Grades below a "C" are not considered passing for most medical schools. Also, note that some schools will not accept AP credit in lieu of the required courses (even if accepted by USD). You must then substitute advanced science courses for the traditional requirements satisfied with AP credits.

Some schools recommend

• 1 semester of Chem – Chem 151
• 1 semester of Bio – Bio 240
• 1 semester of Behavioral Neuroscience 310
• 1 semester of Physics (no lab) – Physics 136
• 1 semester of Communication – Comm 203
• 1 semester of Medical Terminology (taken at community college)
• Three dimension art (ceramics)

Other application information

• GRE (Graduate Record Examination): Students who intend to apply to Occupational Therapy programs must take the GRE prior to application. The GRE measures three areas in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing.
• Clinical: A minimum of 200 hours of clinical experience in a variety of occupational therapy settings is recommended. This can be in a volunteer or paid capacity.
• Community Service/Leadership: While OT schools do not require volunteer experience, it will strengthen your overall application. There are many opportunities on and off campus to become involved. It's always best to find something that you're very interested in and become involved.

Occupational therapists help patients improve their ability to perform tasks in living and working environments. They work with individuals who suffer from a mentally, physically, developmentally or emotionally disabling condition. Occupational therapists use treatments to develop, recover or maintain the daily living and work skills of their patients. The therapist helps clients not only to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities, but also to compensate for permanent loss of function. The goal is to help clients have independent, productive and satisfying lives.

Occupational therapists help clients to perform all types of activities, from using a computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking and eating. Physical exercises may be used to increase strength and dexterity, while other activities may be chosen to improve visual acuity or the ability to discern patterns. For example, a client with short-term memory loss might be encouraged to make lists to aid recall and a person with coordination problems might be assigned exercises to improve hand-eye coordination. Occupational therapists also use computer programs to help clients improve decision-making, abstract-reasoning, problem-solving and perceptual skills, as well as memory, sequencing and coordination—all of which are important for independent living.

Patients with permanent disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, often need special instruction to master certain daily tasks. For these individuals, therapists demonstrate the use of adaptive equipment, including wheelchairs orthoses, eating aids and dressing aids. They also design or build special equipment needed at home or at work, including computer-aided adaptive equipment. They teach clients how to use the equipment to improve communication and control various situations in their environment.

Some occupational therapists treat individuals whose ability to function in a work environment has been impaired. These practitioners might arrange employment, evaluate the work space, plan work activities and assess the client's progress. Therapists also may collaborate with the client and the employer to modify the work environment so that the client can succeed at work.

Assessing and recording a client's activities and progress is an important part of an occupational therapist's job. Accurate records are essential for evaluating clients, for billing and for reporting to physicians and other healthcare providers.

Occupational therapists may work exclusively with individuals in a particular age group or with a particular disability. In schools, for example, they evaluate children's capabilities, recommend and provide therapy, modify classroom equipment and help children participate in school activities. A therapist may work with children individually, lead small groups in the classroom, consult with a teacher or serve on an administrative committee. Some therapists provide early intervention therapy to infants and toddlers who have or are at risk of having, developmental delays. Therapies may include facilitating the use of the hands and promoting skills for listening, following directions, social play, dressing or grooming.

Other occupational therapists work with elderly patients. These therapists help the elderly lead more productive, active and independent lives through a variety of methods. Therapists with specialized training in driver rehabilitation assess an individual's ability to drive using both clinical and on-the-road tests. The evaluations allow the therapist to make recommendations for adaptive equipment, training to prolong driving independence and alternative transportation options. Occupational therapists also work with clients to assess their homes for hazards and to identify environmental factors that contribute to falls.

Occupational therapists in mental health settings treat individuals who are mentally ill, developmentally challenged or emotionally disturbed. To treat these problems, therapists choose activities that help people learn to engage in and cope with daily life. Activities might include time management skills, budgeting, shopping, homemaking and the use of public transportation. Occupational therapists also work with individuals who are dealing with alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, eating disorders or stress-related disorders.