How to Compare Occupational Therapy Programs?

Answer 1

Occupational therapy is a rewarding and lucrative career to pursue, and it all starts with picking the right graduate or doctoral program to attend. Comparing programs can be overwhelming, but by keeping a few important criteria in mind, you can figure out what is most important for you.

1. First, sort the programs you’re considering by location. This is a very important criterion for some, and less so for others—if going to school far away means uprooting a family instead of just one person, it may be more important to find a program that’s close. Keep location in the back of your mind as you compare your potential programs.

2. Determine which programs are graduate programs and which are graduate programs that lead into doctoral programs. If you just want a master’s degree, a school that ends in a doctoral degree will cost you more money than you need to spend. However, if you want a doctoral degree, it is essential to pick a school that has a doctoral program.

3. Sort programs as either traditional or non-traditional. Traditional programs typically require that you attend classes full-time at a physical campus. Non-traditional programs could offer part-time programs, classes during the evening or on weekends, or offer some classes online. Depending on your work schedule and other obligations, one may be a better fit for you than the other.

4. Check with each program you’re considering to see if they specialize in one type of occupational therapy over the other. Some occupational therapists work with those who have temporary limitations or disabilities, such as those recovering from an accident. Other occupational therapists work with elderly patients, and still others work with permanently disabled patients. If one of these fields is where you definitely want to work, you might want to find a school that specializes in that area—it will give you a boost in employers’ eyes once you begin finding work.

5. If finding a job shortly after graduation is your biggest concern, job placement information should be a big point of comparison for you. Consult the schools’ websites or admissions counselors to find out what percentage of graduates find jobs after graduation—the percentage is often a good indicator of how helpful the school is and how well the program is regarded by employers.