As one of the fastest-growing healthcare fields, occupational therapy offers plenty of opportunities for compassionate and caring professionals to make a difference in people's lives. In fact, studies have found that the demand for occupational therapists is projected to grow significantly faster than that of other areas of healthcare, "in part because of the aging of the population and the expansion of service markets."
Suppose you already have an undergraduate degree and are interested in a career as an occupational therapist (OT). In that case, it may be time to pursue your master's degree in occupational therapy. And with occupational therapy careers going far beyond hospitals to include schools, rehab centers, and beyond, you have the potential to find your niche.
What Is a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy?
While no two occupational therapy master's programs are exactly alike, the primary objective of any OT degree program is for students to be prepared to help individuals with the skills needed to live their lives as independently and meaningfully as possible.
A Masters in Occupational Therapy leads to an independent professional licensure, and so a graduate program in occupational therapy typically consists of around 66 credit hours, with coursework covering relevant topics such as:
- Evidence-based practice
- Leadership and management
- Therapeutic modalities
- Health conditions
- Functional movement
Many OT programs also include a fieldwork component, where students engage in supervised clinical experience to apply what they've learned in the classroom to real-world practice.
A master's degree in OT is required to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam, and passing this exam is the only way to get licensed. All states require OTs to be licensed, although specific licensure guidelines can vary from one state to the next.
Where Can Occupational Therapists Work?
One of the main benefits of being educated and licensed as an OT is that you can pursue work in such a wide range of settings. This allows you to find your niche and build a truly meaningful, impactful career.
Hospitals
One of the most common work settings for occupational therapists is the hospital, where they may help patients recovering from illnesses, injuries, and surgical procedures. The goal of hospital OTs is to help patients regain their daily living skills so they can recover and return home safely. Often, these fast-paced roles require close collaboration with other medical teams, including those in acute care, surgical, and trauma units.
Rehabilitation Centers
Many OTs also work in dedicated inpatient rehabilitation centers, where they assist clients through longer-term recovery processes. They may work with clients recovering from strokes or living with neurologic conditions (such as Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis). This type of work is very hands-on, and OTs working in rehab centers must be prepared to deliver personalized and goal-driven care to each client.
Schools (K-12 and Special Education Programs)
Meanwhile, school-based occupational therapists play a critical role in helping students overcome physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges affecting their learning and participation in the classroom. These OTs may work with students of all ages while collaborating with teachers, healthcare providers, special education teams, and families to support client success through individualized education plans (IEPs). This type of work can be very rewarding, especially for those who enjoy working with children.
Home Healthcare
In some cases, clients may enjoy the best outcomes when occupational therapists visit them in the comfort of their own homes. Home-based occupational therapists provide tailored care directly to patients where they live. As part of their work, they may assess a client's safety in their home, make adaptation recommendations to improve quality of life, and help individuals increase their independence, especially after a hospital discharge or due to chronic health conditions.
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
Elderly or long-term care patients often need assistance with everyday mobility, hygiene, dressing, and memory care. Occupational therapists working in skilled nursing facilities provide this care as a means of improving the quality of life among aging populations. In this area of OT, the focus is often on fall prevention, strength-building, and completing everyday tasks.
Mental Health Centers
Mental health clinics, including both inpatient and outpatient centers, may also employ occupational therapists to support patients suffering from certain mental health conditions or behavioral health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. These OTs may assist clients with building daily routines, finding ways to manage stress, and finding long-term activities that promote healing and independence.
Telehealth and Remote Services
In a post-pandemic world, the need for telehealth and remote OT services has been rising. This is especially true in more remote and rural areas where access to in-person services may be limited or unavailable. In one 2023 study, "[OT] practitioners indicated that telehealth supported increased service continuity and efficiency, and increased access to populations which allowed them to continue OT services when in-person services were unavailable."
Telehealth OTs find creative ways to deliver their services to clients virtually, providing coaching, evaluations, and follow-up care through secure and convenient online platforms.
Community and Nonprofit Organizations
Finally, some OTs work in public health settings or for nonprofit organizations, offering tailored services that promote wellness and support underserved populations. Often, these OTs work directly with clients in rural or economically disadvantaged areas, making a difference while sharing their compassion for others.
Clinical and Medical Careers in Occupational Therapy
If you're interested in a clinical career as an OT, you may want to consider these rehabilitation-based careers in occupational therapy:
- Acute Care OT - These specialized OTs work with patients in hospitals recovering from surgeries, trauma, or strokes. This type of role is ideal for those who enjoy fast-paced work and want to collaborate with healthcare professionals across different disciplines.
- Inpatient Rehabilitation OT - These professionals help patients regain mobility and independence after major injuries or illnesses. Typically, they work in hospitals or inpatient rehabilitation centers. Skilled Nursing Facility OT - Occupational therapists in this role focus on supporting aging populations who need long-term rehab. This type of work usually involves a mix of personalized therapy and ongoing support for quality of life.
- Pediatric OT - These OTs work with children on fine motor skills, developmental delays, or sensory integration. Pediatric occupational therapists may be employed at pediatricians' offices, although many will also make home visits to families.
- Hand Therapy OT - This specialized niche of OT often requires additional certification, such as certification through the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). These occupational therapists specialize in rehabilitation for hand injuries or post-surgical recovery, helping patients restore range of motion, improve strength, and optimize dexterity.
Educational and School-Based OT Careers
If you're more interested in working in a school setting as an OT, here are some additional career opportunities that may be worth looking into:
- School-Based OT - These professionals support students (usually at the K-12 level) with physical, cognitive, or sensory challenges. As part of their work, they may also collaborate with special education teams, IEPs, teachers, and families.
- Early Intervention Therapist - These occupational therapists work with children ages 0–3 in home or community settings to support development, especially among children with developmental disabilities or delays.
- Higher Education or Fieldwork Educator - For those with a lot of experience under their belts, becoming a clinical educator or faculty member within an occupational therapy degree program can be a great way to apply your own expertise and knowledge to help future generations of OTs best serve their clients.
Community and Non-Traditional OT Roles
What if you're interested in a less "traditional" role in occupational therapy? Think outside the box by exploring any of these niche career paths:
- Home Health Occupational Therapist - These OTs offer one-on-one patient care in home environments, enjoying a high degree of autonomy and flexibility in scheduling.
- Mental Health OT - These professionals assist clients in managing their daily tasks and routines in outpatient or behavioral health settings. They most often work with clients of all ages suffering from mental health or behavioral health disorders.
- Community-Based OT - OTs in this area of the field focus on injury/illness prevention and wellness, most often in underserved communities, nonprofits, or public health settings.
- Assistive Technology Specialist - These OTs work with clients with disabilities to recommend and implement adaptive tools that can improve their quality of life while empowering them to live more independently.
Leadership, Research, and Program Development Careers
Finally, occupational therapists may also explore career opportunities in leadership, clinical research, consultancy, and beyond with such job titles as:
- OT Program Director or Manager - These OTs oversee, manage, and lead teams in hospitals or clinics.
- Clinical Researcher - These professionals contribute to innovation in OT practices or therapies through ongoing research and evaluation.
- Policy Advisor or Consultant - These OTs work directly with health departments or nonprofits to shape disability policies, ensuring that the diverse needs of disabled clients are met.
- Entrepreneur or Private Practice Owner - Some OTs go on to start a therapy-focused business or consulting firm, allowing for ultimate autonomy.
Start Your OT Degree at Shawnee State University
With so many career possibilities to explore, getting into occupational therapy can be an extremely fulfilling way to help others while putting your own skill set to use. An occupational therapy master's program, specifically designed to focus on career development, will equip you to tackle the distinctive challenges and capitalize on the abundant opportunities present in this ever-evolving profession.
At Shawnee State University (SSU), our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program is now offered in a convenient hybrid format that blends the benefits of face-to-face learning with the convenience of online coursework for busy working professionals. With coursework focusing on theoretical constructs and their application to clinical practice, students can build their foundational knowledge while gaining hands-on experience in a full-time internship.
Shawnee State also offers an accelerated pathway to earn the Master of Occupational Therapy, through our Bachelor of Science Occupational Therapy 3 + 2 program. This pathway requires additional application, and will lead to both a bachelor’s degree and MOT in five years, shortening the time to becoming a practicing occupational therapist by one-year. Get in touch to find out more about our ACOTE-accredited master's in OT program — or take the next big step by applying for admission today.