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Populations and settings common in  occupational therapy practice include:

• Helping children with disabilities to better participate in school and social life
• Helping adults recover and regain function after an illness or injury
• Helping provide mental health treatment and prevention services for people across the lifespan. Interventions focus on improving each client’s function and independence
• Helping older adults experiencing physical or cognitive changes to remain healthier and more independent

Why Choose Occupational Therapy?

• OT is individualized. OT’s base their treatment on their client and/or family’s goals, whether it’s cooking meals, driving independently, succeeding at school or building better relationships.

• Occupational Therapists are in high demand. Employment for OTs is expected to increase at a much higher rate than average over the next decade. The average salary for an occupational therapist was $85,570 in 2021 ().  The occupational therapy profession is also actively looking to diversify its workforce.

• Occupational therapists treat the whole client, considering each individual’s coordination skills, cognitive ability, emotional needs holistically with their environmental demands to create better outcomes. 

You’ll choose from dozens of different types of clients and work environments. OTs work in schools, hospitals, rehab facilities, early intervention, mental health programs and countless other settings. Their clients range from toddlers to the elderly, adapting to physical, emotional, social or cognitive challenges.

Occupational Therapy Degrees at Salem State

Salem State has been training leaders in occupational therapy for over 20 years. Students are on campus two evenings per week, allowing them to continue to meet their daytime demands, like work and caregiving, while obtaining their degree.

A master’s degree is required for entry level practice as an occupational therapist. We offer two unique pathways to an MS in occupational therapy based on students’ educational background and experience.

• The BS/MS in Occupational Therapy is only for students who have already completed an accredited two-year occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program. Students transfer credits from their associate’s degree, giving them a head start on their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. This program is offered part time, with evening hours to accommodate working students. 
• The Direct Entry Master of Science program is for students who want to become occupational therapists and have already completed a bachelor’s degree in a field other than occupational therapy. The program is offered part time, with classes in the evening.

Undergraduate Paths to Occupational Therapy

If you are just starting college and hoping to become an occupational therapist, several undergraduate degree programs can provide an excellent foundation to the direct entry master’s in occupational therapy program.

They include:

• Psychology
• Healthcare Studies
• Sport and Movement Science
• Biology
• Early Education and Care

However, we highly value a variety of perspectives and lived experiences in the program and have graduated students with backgrounds in business, management, and visual arts as well.