What is "pre-occupational therapy"?
"Pre-occupational therapy" is a term used to describe students who plan to enter a school of occupational therapy after graduating from college. You should know that there is rarely if ever a "pre-occupational therapy" major at any university. When a student is "pre-occupational therapy", he or she is not only taking the classes required for admission to occupational therapy school, but also has a major in a specific subject matter area. For example, a student can major in Art and still go to occupational therapy school so long as he or she has 1) successfully completed the courses required for admission to occupational therapy school, 2) has a strong overall college GPA, and 3) has demonstrated a dedicated interest in health care delivery.

What courses are required for admission to occupational therapy school?
Typically, occupational therapy school admissions committees require the following courses to be taken in college (the equivalent courses at BGSU are listed in parentheses)*:

1. One year of english composition (GSW 1110-1120)
2. One semester of cellular biology (BIOL 1040 or BIOL 2050)
3. One semester of introductory psychology (PSYC 1010); some schools also require introductory sociology (SOC 1010)
4. One year of anatomy and physiology (BIOL 3310 and 3320)
5. One semester of lifespan human development (PSYC 3100)
6. One semester of medical terminology (MEDT 3010)

*Note: Admissions requirements vary by school. Please check each school's admission requirements carefully.

Are all of these required courses available at BGSU?
Yes, all the courses required for occupational therapy school admission are available at BGSU. Further, many other useful (but not required) courses for occupational therapy school, such as psychology, are offered at BGSU.

What majors are most popular among pre-occupational therapy students?
Pre-occupational therapy students can choose ANY major and still go to occupational therapy school, so long as they have 1) completed the courses required for occupational therapy school admission, 2) have a strong college GPA, and 3) have demonstrated a true interest in health care delivery. Sociology, psychology, and biology are popular majors among pre-occupational therapy students.

How high should my GPA be in order to go to occupational therapy school?
Typically, a student's overall college GPA should be a 3.0 or better in order to be a strong candidate for admission to occupational therapy school.

Is a high GPA the only way to get into occupational therapy school?
No. In addition to a high GPA, a student applying to occupational therapy school must also take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Further, students interested in occupational therapy school should attempt to gain clinical experience through hospital volunteer positions or through other opportunities that involve working with people.

When should I begin my pre-occupational therapy course work?
You should begin your basic pre-occupational therapy course work as early as possible in your college career. In your first year at BGSU, consider taking BIOL 1040 or 2050 and PSYC 1010; these courses will not only meet some requirements for occupational therapy school admission, but will also fulfill BG Perspective requirements here at BGSU and will allow you to be exposed to subjects you may end up choosing for your major.

How long does it take to get through occupational therapy school?
Occupational therapy school is a two-and-a-half to three year commitment after graduating from college.

What resources are available at BGSU to help me learn more about occupational therapy school?
Lee Ann Koenigbauer, an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences, guides pre-occupational therapy students throughout the process of preparing for medical school. Additional, the University of Toledo's Department of Occupational Therapy provides helpful information to interested students.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Lee Ann Koenigbauer
College of Arts and Sciences
Academic Advisor
419-372-2015
annkoen@bgsu.edu

The University of Toledo
College of Health Science and Human Service
Department of Occupational Therapy
419-383-4429
OccTherapyDoctorate@UToledo.edu