Occupational Therapy (Pre)
Why study Pre-Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a rewarding profession that helps people with health challenges live life to its fullest. Highly in demand in the fast-growing healthcare field, occupational therapists play an important role in the treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses by helping people of all ages with their daily activities. As an OT, you may enable children with disabilities to participate fully in school, work with a patient recovering from an injury to regain skills, or support older adults experiencing physical or cognitive changes.
As a Pre-Occupational Therapy student at Aurora University, you will major in Health Science, acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the ever-changing field of healthcare. You will also enroll in the Pre-Occupational Therapy program, which offers a curated collection of prerequisite courses necessary to be accepted into an occupational therapy school.
To help you navigate your academic career and prepare for occupational therapy school, AU offers one-on-one guidance with our own Pre-Medical Professions Advisor C.J. Chen. A longtime biology professor at AU, Chen is an expert in the application process for health profession schools. Advanced coursework prepares you for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and the graduate school application process. Internship opportunities are also available so you can experience, first hand, what it is like to practice occupational therapy.
At AU, you will also have an opportunity to participate in research, a step that will enhance your occupational therapy school application. AU offers students unique opportunities to conduct laboratory research with expert faculty in the field. Developing research experience deepens your understanding of what you learn in the classroom and prepares you with the skills to succeed in occupational therapy school.
After you earn your undergraduate degree, you need to attend occupational therapy school for typically two to three years. You must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) as well as a state certification exam. Each state has its own requirements for licensure.
Qualified students can benefit from AU's agreement with Midwestern University. Please visit our academic affiliations page to learn more.
- Anatomy and Physiology I
- Anatomy and Physiology II
- General Psychology
- Lifespan Development Psychology
- Psychological Disorders
- Sociology
- Statistics
- AU Science Organization
- Aurora University HOSA - Future Health Professionals
- Mu Sigma Pi: Mind. Body. Spirit.
annual median salary for occupational therapists
2023-2033 projected job growth rate
Medicine adds days to life, occupational therapy adds life to days.Unknown
What does Pre-Occupational Therapy mean?
OT professionals are in demand — and that is only going to increase as the population ages and more people need assistance as they recover from major health crises.
Experiential learning
You will have the opportunity to have an internship, clinical, or field experience at a healthcare facility. AU’s pre-medical professions advisor will work with you to find internships in the occupational therapy field that fit with your interests so you can experience your targeted profession first hand. You will also have the unique opportunity to conduct laboratory research with faculty, preparing you with the skills to succeed in occupational therapy school.
Internship sites
- Athletico Physical Therapy
- ATI Physical Therapy
- Dynamic Rehabilitation Inc.
- Rehab Care Group
Where AU graduates attend OT school
- Concordia University Wisconsin
- Governors State University
- Midwestern University
- Rush University