Career Overview: Roles and Responsibilities of an Occupational Therapist (OT)
Occupational therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who help individuals develop, recover, and maintain the skills needed for daily living and meaningful activities to the individual across various settings. Their clinical responsibilities include evaluating functional abilities, cognitive and sensory processing, and environmental factors; developing and implementing individualized intervention plans; providing therapeutic activities, adaptive techniques, and assistive devices; and monitoring progress toward participation goals. Occupational therapists also emphasize prevention and client education by promoting independence, safety, and effective strategies for daily tasks at home, school, work, and community settings. Additionally, OT practice often comes with a responsibility to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and adhere to professional and ethical standards. Students pursuing OT can pursue either a Masters or Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.
- Hospitals
- Outpatient Clinics
- Home Health
- Schools, Early Intervention, Community Education
- Mental and Behavioral Health
- Sports and fitness facilities
- Workplaces
- Nursing Homes or Long-Term Care Facilities
(After earning a OTD or MOT)
- Gerontology
- Mental Health
- Pediatrics
- Physical Rehabilitation
- American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
Most OT schools require or strongly recommend:
- General Biology – 2 semesters with labs
- Human Anatomy and Physiology – 2 semesters with labs
- Medical Terminology
- Human Lifespan Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Sociology/Anthropology
- Statistics
- Psychology
- English
Coursework varies by school. Always verify specific requirements on each program’s website.
Administered by: Educational Testing Service (ETS)
The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is a standardized test designed to test your critical thinking skills in general categories rather than on specific “pre-requisite” content: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.
After taking the GRE, you will receive a few different scores: a sub-score for your verbal and quantitative reasoning sections (scored between 130-170) as well as a combined score for your quantitative and qualitative reasoning sections (scored between 260-340). Additionally, you will receive a score for your analytical writing on a 6-point scale. Schools that require the GRE will likely report a minimum score needed to apply, or an average score of the previously admitted class/es. As you evaluate your scores, ensure that you are either at/above the minimum, or within a close range of the average.
Always check each school’s website to confirm testing requirements.
Application: Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)
- Personal information
- Academic History
Transcript Entry
Standardized Tests - Supporting Information
Evaluations
Experiences
Licenses and Certifications
OTCAS Release Statement
Observation Hours
Achievements
Documents - Program Materials
Learn more about the OTCAS application
Research Programs: Create a list of programs and review their individual requirements for prerequisite courses, observation hours, testing (GRE), and letters of recommendation.
Obtain Observation Hours: Many programs require observation/shadowing to be completed under direct supervision of a licensed OT or OTA before applying.
Typical Expectations
- Most programs requirement ranges from 0-50 hours of shadowing
- Opportunities can be paid or unpaid
- Try to observe a mix of settings/specialties
- Competitive applicants often exceed minimum hour requirements.
Letters of Recommendation: Most programs require 3 letters of recommendation.
- One MUST be from an OT or OTA
- Others may be from professors, supervisors, or research mentors
Programs will often specify who is an approved letter writer
To obtain meaningful letters, build relationships early by actively participating in class or clinical experiences, seeking feedback, and demonstrating reliability and initiative. When requesting a letter, ask well in advance, provide your resume, your personal statement, and clearly share deadlines and submission instructions. Thoughtful, detailed recommendations from individuals who know you well can significantly strengthen your application by offering credible, personalized perspectives on your strengths and potential.