Occupational Therapy

Career opportunities 

The need for occupational therapists is expected to increase as the large baby-boom generation ages and people remain active later in life. Jobs in the field are projected to grow 12% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts about 9,600 job openings a year over the decade.

The median annual salary for occupational therapists was $96,370 in 2023. (Salaries vary based on a degree, location and other factors.)

Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, traumatic brain injury or the loss of a limb. 

Curriculum

The OTD curriculum is designed to:

• Equip entry-level occupational therapists with the required knowledge, skills and competencies for roles in occupational therapy
• Provide a comprehensive and evidence-based education
• Integrate theoretical foundations with practical experiences to prepare graduates for the diverse challenges of modern healthcare
• Prepare students to practice as generalists with broad exposure to current and emerging practice areas

The OTD curriculum is delivered across six semesters in two calendar years using an accelerated, hybrid learning delivery model. 

The hybrid nature of the curriculum demands motivation, active engagement and openness to diverse learning methods from students. 

• One year of full-time didactic education
• 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork experiences
• 14 weeks of the capstone experience

About half of our curriculum is made up of online synchronous and asynchronous courses. The other half is comprised of face-to-face lab immersion sessions.

Year One

You will come to campus for two weeks in every eight-week class session for hands-on psychomotor skill development in immersive lab experiences and Level I Fieldwork. 

Year Two

You will come to campus two or three times. The final phase of the curriculum involves Level II Fieldwork placements and Capstone projects.

Attendance also is required at weekly sync sessions. We strongly recommend that students work no more than 10-12 hours/week given the demands of the accelerated delivery model.

Our commitment to inclusion and belonging  

The BGSU OTD program is committed to establishing and supporting an inclusive community of students, educators and staff to meet the needs of the occupational therapy workforce and better reflect the clients they serve. 

Recognizing the significance of diversity in our profession, we embrace and value all dimensions of diversity. We respect the values, beliefs and opinions of all community members. We firmly believe an inclusive learning environment not only strengthens our community but also serves the public good. 

The BGSU OTD program and the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy upholds a broad understanding of diversity. Diversity includes, but is not limited to, considerations of race and ethnicity, cultural backgrounds, religious affiliations, geography (rural, urban, regional), gender identity, sexual orientation, physical abilities, neurodiversity, varied backgrounds and life experiences, age/generational differences, veteran status and family structures.