Occupational Therapy (Pre-Professional)
Helping people regain independence in everyday activities.
Occupational therapy focuses on helping people of all ages participate in the everyday activities ('occupations') that matter to them, after injury, illness, disability, or developmental delay. Because OT requires a graduate degree, undergraduate study is typically a related pre-professional major, health sciences, psychology, or kinesiology, built around OT program prerequisites.
At the undergraduate level, expect a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology, and psychology, along with volunteer or observation hours in OT settings, which most graduate programs require for admission.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Human Anatomy & Physiology
- ✓Developmental Psychology
- ✓Abnormal Psychology
- ✓Introduction to Occupational Therapy
- ✓Kinesiology
- ✓Statistics
- ✓Medical Terminology
- ✓Observation / Volunteer Practicum
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Human Anatomy & Physiology
- +General education requirement
- ✓Developmental Psychology
- +General education requirement
- ✓Abnormal Psychology
- +General education requirement
- ✓Introduction to Occupational Therapy
- +Free elective
- ✓Kinesiology
- +Free elective
- ✓Statistics
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Medical Terminology
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Observation / Volunteer Practicum
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Wants to help people regain independence and daily functioning
- ★Patient, creative, and practical problem-solver
- ★Comfortable planning toward a required graduate degree
- ★Interested in both the medical and psychological sides of care
Common minors & double-major pairings
Psychology · Biology · Kinesiology
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Occupational Therapy (Pre-Professional) major?
Helping people regain independence in everyday activities.
What courses do Occupational Therapy (Pre-Professional) majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Human Anatomy & Physiology, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Occupational Therapy (Pre-Professional) program?
Occupational Therapy (Pre-Professional) coursework typically builds skills like Understanding human development across the lifespan, Foundational anatomy and physiology knowledge, Empathetic, patient-centered communication, Problem-solving around functional, everyday tasks.
Is Occupational Therapy (Pre-Professional) a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Wants to help people regain independence and daily functioning" or "Patient, creative, and practical problem-solver" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a Occupational Therapy (Pre-Professional) degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like Occupational Therapist. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with Occupational Therapy (Pre-Professional)?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Psychology, Biology, Kinesiology.
How is Occupational Therapy (Pre-Professional) different from Kinesiology & Exercise Science?
They're related but distinct. Occupational Therapy (Pre-Professional): Helping people regain independence in everyday activities. Kinesiology & Exercise Science: The science of human movement, fitness, and physical performance. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Occupational Therapy (Pre-Professional) degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/occupational-therapy-pathway