(Preparing for) Occupational Therapy

Program Description

The 90 credit Associate in Arts transfer degree is designed to meet the general education requirements at Washington State four-year institutions and prepares students for a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree. In Washington state, Occupational Therapy is a post baccalaureate, graduate level professional program leading to a Master’s degree. Students must complete graduate course work, supervised, clinical fieldwork and be licensed in the state to practice. Provided students meet program prerequisites, they are encouraged to major in any liberal arts degree of interest. For more information, visit our Health Professional Preparation webpage.

Occupational Therapy — What is it?

Occupational Therapy helps people with injuries, illness or disabilities to live better, fuller and productive lives. Occupational Therapists analyze and assess human movement, neurological development, performance, motivation and human environments to develop therapeutic goals and treatment plans for individuals. They often specialize in working with children and adolescence, geriatrics, mental health, disabilities and/or physical rehabilitation.

Areas of Study in Occupational Therapy:

Neuroscience, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Physical and Industrial Rehabilitation, Human Behavior, Therapeutic Communication, Performance Analysis, Mental Health Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Community Based Health Care, Leadership and Management, Health Care Policy, Professional and Medical Ethics.

Career Opportunities — What can I do with a Graduate Degree in Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapists develop strong critical thinking, assessment, problem solving, communication and technical skills that can be applied to a number of health care settings. Occupational Therapists provide direct patient care, conduct research, develop health care policies, teach, promote wellness, and provide leadership in the health care field.

Potential employers include:

Hospitals, Schools, Rehabilitation Centers, Mental Health Facilities, Nursing Homes, Home Health Care, Colleges and Universities, Government Agencies, Non-Profit Organizations, Business, Industry and Private Practice. For more information, please visit the Career Center.

Transfer Possibilities — Where can I transfer?

An Associate Degree from Shoreline  makes it possible for students to transfer to public and private colleges and universities throughout the U.S. with junior standing. Shoreline also has agreements with several universities to make transferring even easier. For transfer within Washington State, we offer a special degree called the AA-DTA. For international students, Shoreline also has conditional admission agreements that allow a student to be simultaneously accepted by Shoreline and a university of the student's choosing.

Length of Program: 90 Credits, Completion Award: A.A. Degree

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