EIU Pre-Health Professions

Pre-Occupational Therapy

 In its simplest terms, occupational therapists help people of all ages participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Unlike other professions, occupational therapy helps people function in all of their environments (e.g., home, work, school, community) and addresses the physical, psychological, and cognitive aspects of their well-being through engagement in occupation.

An Occupational Therapist may have a Master’s or Doctoral Degree. Students enrolled at Eastern who decide to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy can complete a baccalaureate degree in any major while including the prerequisite coursework for Occupational Therapy graduate programs. Typical majors include Psychology, Biology, Communication Disorders and Sciences, Exercise Science, Health Sciences, Human Services, Neuroscience, Sociology, or Public Health. A 3.50 GPA is typical of competitive applicants.  Some programs require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), taken the summer before senior year. Most programs also require 45+ experience hours with a licensed occupational therapist and three letters of recommendation (1 academic, 1 professional, and 1 of your choice).

Each OT program has different requirements, it is very important to identify which programs you plan to apply and plot out their requirements accordingly. For additional information about your potential career in occupational therapy, check out the American Occupational Therapy Association's website.

Advising sheet

Non-Biology Advising sheet