Field Overview
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a holistic client-centered health profession that helps people across their lifespan participate in the daily activities ("occupations") they need and want to do—despite physical, sensory, cognitive, or developmental impairments. OTs modify home and work environments, fit adaptive equipment, and retrain fine motor skills to foster patient independence.
Students explore human occupational performance, ergonomics, adaptive technology, mental health rehabilitation, and pediatric developmental therapy. Supported by global organizations like the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), OTs restore functional independence and quality of life.
What You Will Learn
- Human Occupation & Lifespan Development: Assessing how physical, mental, and environmental factors impact daily self-care, work, and leisure activities.
- Physical & Hand Rehabilitation: Retraining fine motor control, fabricating custom hand splints, and managing upper limb injuries.
- Adaptive Technology & Environmental Modification: Designing home, school, and workplace accessibility modifications (wheelchair ramps, adaptive utensils).
- Cognitive & Neuro-Rehabilitation: Re-training memory, executive function, and spatial perception following stroke or traumatic brain injury.
- Pediatric Developmental Therapy: Helping children with autism, cerebral palsy, or sensory processing disorders gain school and play skills.
Career & Industry Outlook
Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, pediatric clinics, nursing homes, school systems, and mental health facilities actively hire occupational therapists.
Graduates practice as occupational therapists, hand therapists, pediatric OT specialists, neuro-rehab OTs, ergonomists, and assistive technology consultants.
Is This Field Right for You?
Occupational Therapy is perfect for empathetic, creative problem solvers who enjoy finding practical, adaptive ways to help patients live independent, meaningful lives.
Where this can take you
Common career paths and professional roles for Occupational Therapy graduates.
Skills you'll gain
Core competencies and practical expertise developed during study.
Frequently asked questions
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