Pre-Occupational Therapy
January 8, 2025 2025-12-09 15:22Pre-Occupational Therapy
Prepare for Occupational Therapy Programs
Pre-Occupational Therapy
Build the foundation for a career in OT.
Pre-Professional Program in Occupational Therapy
The Pre-Occupational Therapy Advising Track is not a major — it’s an advising program layered onto any Lynchburg major for students planning to pursue a Master of Occupational Therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree. Occupational therapy programs welcome applicants from diverse academic backgrounds but require strong preparation in the behavioral and natural sciences and in human development.
The track helps you identify required prerequisites, build the experiential background OT programs expect, and prepare a competitive application. Whether you major in Exercise Physiology, Psychology, Public Health, or Biomedical Science, the Pre-OT Advising Track ensures you receive individualized support throughout your preparation for OT school.
You’ll work with faculty advisors familiar with OT admissions requirements, recommended volunteer experiences, and the competencies needed for success in occupational therapy programs.
How to Declare a Pre-Occupational Therapy Advising Track
- Contact the Office of Academic Advising.
- Request to declare the Pre-Occupational Therapy Advising Track.
- You will be connected with a faculty advisor specializing in OT preparation.
Declaring ensures appropriate prerequisite planning, guidance on observation hours, and application support.
Recommended Majors
OT programs admit students from many academic fields, but Lynchburg students typically choose:
- Exercise Physiology (BS)
- Psychological Science (BS)
- Public Health (BS)
- Biology – Biomedical Science (BS)
Other majors are acceptable with careful course planning.
Prerequisite Courses for OT School
Most OT programs require:
Core Sciences & Behavioral Sciences
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II
- Biology with lab
- Abnormal Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Sociology or Anthropology
- Statistics
- Medical Terminology
Additional Common Requirements
- Physics (1–2 semesters)
- English or Writing-Intensive Coursework
- Human Development
Requirements vary widely across OT programs, so individualized advising is essential.
Recommended Lynchburg Courses
- BIOL 113, 114
- CHEM 111, 112
- PHYS 141–142 or PHYS 161–162
- PSYC 111, PSYC 241
- ENGL 123W
- Additional upper-level biology, psychology, and public health electives
Observation & Volunteer Experience
OT programs expect applicants to complete observation hours across multiple populations and settings, including:
- Pediatric OT clinics
- Rehabilitation hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Outpatient therapy centers
- School-based OT programs
- Community health organizations
Documenting these hours early supports your OTCAS application.
What Jobs Can I Get With Pre-Occupational Therapy?
Graduates typically continue their education in OT programs to become occupational therapists. Job titles include:
- Occupational Therapist: $84,000
- Pediatric Occupational Therapist: $88,000
- Geriatric Occupational Therapist: $82,000
- Hand Therapist: $90,000
- Mental Health Occupational Therapist: $85,000
- Rehabilitation Specialist: $80,000
- School-based Occupational Therapist: $83,000
- Occupational Therapy Assistant: $60,000
- Home Health Occupational Therapist: $86,000
- Clinical Educator: $75,000
Salary and job projections come from national averages in the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other sources, including Glassdoor, Indeed, and industry-specific posts and publications. The data is meant to provide you with an idea of career options and salary ranges, not as a guarantee of obtaining these positions after graduation. These represent national averages and may vary by source and time frame collected. Actual salaries vary by region. Some jobs may require additional training or graduate education.
DuAnn Kremer, PhD, ACSM EP-C
