Pre-Occupational Therapy

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Introduction

Students prepare for entry to a graduate program in occupational therapy by obtaining a baccalaureate degree, completing the prerequisite course work for entry into specific programs, and by obtaining a broad variety of volunteer clinical experience under the direction of an occupational therapist. Students may complete undergraduate degrees in any area. Most programs require submission of scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE – general test only).

Specific information on each occupational therapy program can be obtained from the American Occupational Therapy Association at aota.org. Students are encouraged to review prerequisite courses early in their academic planning and to develop a plan of study within the first quarter of entry to Western.

Pre-Occupational Therapy is not a major at WWU and OT programs do not prefer any specific major.

Contact Information

Pre-Occupational Therapy Advisor
Gordon Chalmers
Carver 201G
360-650-3113
Gordon.Chalmers@wwu.edu
calendly.com/chalmerswwu

Pre-Occupational Therapy Advisor
Dave Suprak
Carver 201M
360-650-2586
Dave.Suprak@wwu.edu
davidsuprak.youcanbook.me

Resources

careercenter.wwu.edu/health-professions-advising

How to Indicate you are Pre-Occupational Therapy:

Although Pre-Occupational Therapy is not a major, the university maintains a record of students who have indicated their intention to pursue healthcare careers. In order to gain access to our Health Professions Advising Canvas site and advising that is relevant to your intended area, send an email to prehealth@wwu.edu with your name, W number, Western email address with “Pre-OT” as the subject line.

Course Requirements

Regardless of major, certain prerequisite courses expected by most OT schools include:

Freshman/Sophomore Years:

Meet with a Pre-Occupational Therapy advisor to complete a plan of study.
Examine the requirements of OT schools you wish to qualify to apply to, to determine which of these courses you should complete.

MATH 114 - Precalculus I Credits: 5 (MATH 114 fulfills the QSR GUR requirement.)
CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I Credits: 5 (if using BIOL 101 as pre-req for BIOL 348, BIOL 349)
or CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I
and CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II Credits: 5 (if using BIOL 205 as a pre-req for BIOL 348, BIOL 349)
A chemistry course is only required by some OT programs, but CHEM 161 is required for BIOL 204 and BIOL 349; CHEM 162 is required for BIOL 205. CHEM 161 and CHEM 162 can also contribute to fulfilling the Natural Sciences GUR requirement.
PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 5 (PSY 101 contributes to fulfillment of SSC GUR requirement)
PSY 230 - Lifespan Developmental Psychology Credits: 5
PSY 250 - Introduction to Behavioral and Mental Health Credits: 5
Select behavioral science course beyond PSY 101 by examining the requirements of OT schools you are interested in being qualified to apply to, to see if they have any specific requirements.

Course from SSC GUR category can be selected.
BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity w/lab Credits: 5
BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology w/lab Credits: 5
or BIOL 101 - Introduction to Biology w/lab Credits: 4
BIOL 101, BIOL 204 and BIOL 205 contribute towards fulfilling the Natural Sciences GUR requirement.
PHYS 101 - Physics Analysis Credits: 4
A physics course is only required by some OT programs. A physics course can also contribute to fulfilling the Natural Sciences GUR requirement.
One Statistics course from the following:
MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 4
KIN 307 - Statistics in Exercise & Sport Science Credits: 4
BIOL 340 - Biostatistics Credits: 5
Other GUR courses.

Junior Year

Work on completing the following:

BIOL 348 - Human Anatomy and Physiology w/lab Credits: 5
Only HHD and Biology/Anthropology majors are allowed to resister for Biol 348 at WWU. Students in other majors requiring Biol 348 for professional school may be granted an override if they request one from the instructor at least three weeks prior to phase I of registration.
BIOL 349 - Human Physiology w/lab Credits: 5
Other Occupational Therapy prerequisites. You must examine the requirements of OT schools you wish to qualify to apply to, and ensure you complete their requirements by discussing these requirements with your advisor so they can be included in your plan of study.
Clinical experience hours (be sure to include a variety of settings and target populations, for example mental health youth adult etc.). See your Pre-OT advisor for assistance setting up clinical experience hours.
Major requirements.
Prepare for the Graduate Records Examination (GRE).

Senior Year

Take the GRE in the fall.
Request letters of recommendation from professors, administrators and professionals.
Complete remaining Occupational Therapy prerequisites.
Complete major requirements.
Two quarters before graduation, meet with major faculty advisor for major evaluation and apply for graduation.