Occupational Therapy

Specialization

Occupational therapists deal with personal clients giving them rehabilitative medicines and treating both mental and physical. The field gives the knowledge to give people therapy to return to their work or occupation. Generally, the course is designated as a health science course. The candidates who go through it are not doctors but professional therapists. To become a therapist like this, you must continue up to your Master's at least. You can seek higher education also.

Course Overview

General entry requirements

To study a professional therapy course, students need to understand basic subjects like biology, psychology, anatomy, etc. To actually apply for a starting or advanced degree course, you will need-

Passing the 10+2 examinations (submit certificates)
Letter of recommendation, with preferably two references
Professional experience, if any.

These are pretty basic papers works. Most universities require entrance exams to get into the program.

What courses are available

The courses are to make you an expert in health care assistance. To ensure your credentials as a therapist, you must have a master's degree. For that, you will need a bachelor's level degree too. Occupational therapy is exceptionally effective. Many insurance packages include it as the doctor's recommendation. There are several courses available for different stages of occupational therapy.

Bachelors

This is a generally 4-year program to develop the prerequisites of occupational therapy. Subjects like anatomy, biology, and psychology are very much needed for this job. To develop a good understanding of these means you got half the job.

Many colleges offer bachelors level courses like---

Auckland University of Technology offers a bachelor's in health science
The University of Queensland offers a bachelor's of occupational therapy.
Brunel University offers a bachelor of science in occupational therapy.
The University of Plymouth offers MOccTh or undergraduate masters with Hons. In occupational therapy.
La Trobe University offers a bachelor's in occupational therapy.

The fees for the courses vary here and there, but the general estimate is 40 lakh INR. This is a course like any other, so scholarships are also manageable. Check the links to learn about different scholarships which can even offer you a 100 percent tuition fee waiver.

Masters

A Masters's study is the final step on the ladder for many students; after that, you can be a therapist. Although some continue it to be able for Ph.D. The Master's course is about two years long, and during it, you get to know your trade with great depth. The subject almost comes into your grasp through proper studies. Several colleges are offering Master's in occupational therapy like---

The University of Sydney offers a master's in occupational therapy.
The University of Queensland offers a master's in occupational therapy.
Swinburne institute of technology.
The University of Essex offers a master's dissertation in occupational therapy.
Oxford Brookes University offers a Master's pre-registration.
The University of Limerick offers a master's in science.
The University of Brighton offers Master's, PGDip, and PGCert in pre-registration occupational therapy.

These are a few of the popular ones. There are many others to study for getting a master's. The course fee for a master's is about 20 lakhs INR. It can be more, though. There are several scholarships you want to consider. Some of the prestigious scholarships like---

Chevening scholarship.
Fullbright scholarship.
Meyers scholarship.
Cultural experiences abroad
QS scholarships for academic excellence.
Orange tulip scholarship.

Can get you a total tuition fee waiver? Moreover, they can help you with your research grants if you wish to go for postgraduate studies.

Doctorate

Very few students and many students simultaneously go for a Ph.D. in occupational therapy. Practicing therapy is an experience-based field. A Ph.D. offers an academic brilliance record to your resume. After this course, you can be a professional therapist or become a heavyweight consultant. Furthermore, with a Ph.D., you can develop new techniques while being a college lecturer.

Colleges like-

Edith Cowan University offers an integrated occupational therapy doctorate.
The University of Brighton offers Ph.D. in occupational therapy.
Trinity College offers Ph.D. in occupational therapy.
Curtin University offers a doctorate in professional therapy.
The National University of Ireland offers Ph.D. in therapy studies.

These are some of the numerous colleges to pursue your specialization in. The course can go on for an undefined period. Anyway, as this is an applied professional practice, it may not take much time. The fee is approximately 4000000 INR.

Personal statement development (SOP)

This is going to be an integral part of your application. Every student needs to have one. Moreover, you need to make it yourself with your personal aspects in the field. You have to describe your motivation for migrating to study. The colleges need a frank description of your choices, which will help them understand your career before the interview.

Counseling may commence based on it. If you are doubtful and don't know what to write, consult an education expert to clear the problems. If you have any experience or achievements regarding the course, include those too.

Scope & Opportunities

Key job scopes

Being a trained therapist is a very effective profession. A person gets full recovery only when he can work. For that, rehabilitation is critical. You can choose to be a therapist based on your major. You can be a psychiatrist or physical therapist.

After clinical recovery, a person may face certain mental and physical paralysis. Your techniques and personal effort can resolve that hindrance. That sums up most of the job here. These works are courses you will carry on for a certain duration. The person is your patient and treating him, or her right will promote you as a good therapist.

Major hiring companies and areas

As said before, all the medical services more or less prescribe therapy with medicines. Being a therapist also works for you if you want to be a social worker. Several charitable trusts and organizations are engaged in providing rehabilitation to substance abusers and alcoholics. Such a step can make you a group leader trying to help them for a good life.

Countries all over the world acknowledge therapy. USA, UK, India, and Canada are first in the line. You can work as a visitor at a nursing home, government hospital, and particular institutions. At the same time, you can practice privately as a consulting therapist. It can be a perfect business if you are known for your treatment and success rate with your good behavior.