Occupational Therapy
Coordinator: C. Trainor
Occupational therapy is a health profession that uses a variety of rehabilitative, educational, social and vocational activities to help individuals in adapting or improving performance in areas of work, school, independent living or play. Services are provided to people of all ages whose lives have been disrupted by illness, injury, developmental problems, social or psychological dysfunction or the aging process. The goal is to aid people in attaining their maximum functioning potential.
An excellent pre-professional program is available which prepares the student for subsequent professional education. One option students have is to take a two or three year pre-professional program at Augustana followed by transfer to another college/university with a Bachelor’s level professional Occupational Therapy program. Alternatively, the student may complete a Bachelor of Arts degree at Augustana and then apply for admission to an occupational therapy program at either a Baccalaureate or Master’s level. Occupational Therapy program requirements vary, therefore students should consult the appropriate catalogs for the requirements of the particular schools they are interested in attending. Certification as an occupational therapist is based upon graduation from an approved occupational therapy program and acceptable performance on the American Occupational Therapy examination. Appropriate majors for students desiring a career in Occupational Therapy include Biology, Psychology, Exercise Science, and Special Education.