Pre-Health Professions: Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists help patients improve their quality of life following either physical or mental illness through rehabilitation. They also work with patients who suffer mental and physical illnesses throughout life, from the time of birth. They help their clients development skills such as motor, social, persona, academic, and vocational pursuits.

CAREER DESCRIPTION*

National median salary: $98,340
National projected career growth: 14%
Many work in occupational therapy offices or hospitals, others work in schools and nursing homes
Treat injured, ill, or disabled patients
Evaluate patient’s home and/or workplace on the basis of their health needs and educate their family/employer regarding accommodations

TYPICAL EDUCATION**

Years of School (including undergraduate): 6-8
Average Entering GPA: 3.2
Typical-entry level education: Bachelor’s Degree
GRE may be required for some schools

COMPETITIVE STUDENTS ALWAYS...

Maintain a competitive academic record
Gain hands on experience though volunteerism or work
Shadow professionals in the field

NEARBY SCHOOLS

University of Nebraska Medical Center (Doctoral Degree)
College of Saint Mary (Doctoral Degree)
Creighton University (Doctoral Degree)
Nebraska Methodist College (Master’s)
Colorado State University
University of Missouri

Prerequisites vary by program. Students are responsible for ensuring all entrance requirements are met. Most schools prefer science classes to be taken in-person versus online.

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER’S (UNMC) PREREQUISITES

Natural Sciences (minimum credits: 12)

Course	Credits	Semester	Prerequisites
BIOL 2740 Human Anatomy & Physiology I & Lab	4	F, S, M	High school Biology and Chemistry
BIOL 2840 Human Anatomy & Physiology II & Lab	4	F, S, M	BIOL 2740
OR BMCH 2400 Human Physiology & Anatomy I & Lab	4	F, S
BMCH 2500 Human Physiology & Anatomy II & Lab	4	F, S	BMCH 240
AND 4 credit hours of one of the following:
BMCH 4630 Biomechanics	3	F, S	BMCH 2400 or BIOL 2740 and PHYS 1110 and 1154 or MATH 1950
KINS 2430 Foundations in Kinesiology	3	F, S
BIOL 1020 Principles of Biology & Lab	4	F, S	ENGL 1150 by placement
CHEM 1140 & 1144 Fund of College Chemistry & Lab	5	F, S	MATH 1300 or 1320
PHYS 1050 & 1054 Introduction to Physics & Lab	5	F, S	High School Algebra

Statistics (minimum credits: 3)

Course	Credits	Semester	Prerequisites
PSYC 3130 Statistics for Behavioral Sciences	3	F, S, M	MATH 1120, 1300, 1320, or STAT 1530
BIOL 2020 Statistics for Life and Environ. Science	3	F, S	MATH 1120, 1130, 1300, or 1320
SOC 2130 Social Statistics	3	F, S, M	MATH 1120, 1300, 1320, or STAT 1530
STAT 1530 Elementary Statistics	3	F, S	ACT 19 or ALEKS 4
STAT 3000 Statistical Methods I	3	F, S	MATH 1300 or 1320

^{Other statistics courses can fulfill the requirement as well but should be approved by an admissions advisor.}

English Composition (minimum credits: 6)

Course	Credits	Semester	Prerequisites
ENGL 1140 English Composition I with Support	4	F, S	ACT Composite score <13, SAT Composite score <760, High School GPA <2.3, or Last Known College GPA <2.0
OR ENGL 1150 English Composition I	3	F, S, M	AP Score 3, ACT 14-26, HS GPA 2.3+
ENGL 1160 English Composition II	3	F, S, M	AP Score 4, ENGL 1140 or 1150, or ACT 27+ or Reading or English ACT score of 29+

^{Advanced writing composition courses may be substituted if proficiency is established}

Psychology (minimum credits: 9)

Course	Credits	Semester	Prerequisites
PSYC 1010 Introduction to Psychology	3	F, S, M	N/A
PSYC 2500 Lifespan Psychology	3	F, S, M	PSYC 1010
PSYC 4440 Abnormal Psychology	3	F, S, M	PSYC 1010

Humanities/Social Sciences (minimum credits: 6)


Choose from courses in Art History or Appreciation, Theatre, Community Health, Religion†, Philosophy†, Ethics†, Women’s & Gender Studies, Literature, Sociology†, Social Work, Anthropology†, Gerontology, Human Geography, and Criminal Justice

^{†Courses required for other OT programs}

Medical Terminology (choose one)

Course	Credits	Semester
BIOL 1160 Terminology of Human Health & Disease	2	F, S
HEKI 2000 Medical Terminology	1	F, S, M

Other Recommended Courses

Course	Credits	Semester	Prerequisites
Research Methods	3	F, S, M	N/A
NEUR 1520 Introduction to Neuroscience I	3	F, S, M	High School Biology and Chemistry
CMST 1110 Public Speaking	3	F, S, M	N/A

_{*Data and information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics}
_{**Data and information from UNMC}
_{Last update: 9.2025}

WHAT PRACTICING PROFESSIONAL SAY

“My vision that with my OTD, I will have the potential to broaden my personal scope of practice to include more leadership, research, and education opportunities.”
-Dan Gibbons, OT

“The best part about being an occupational therapist is working with people who tell us about the value added to their lives.”
-Margaret Spencer, OT

WORDS FROM SUCCESSFUL O.T. STUDENTS

What did your education in OT school look like?

My education consisted of 16-19 credit hours per semester, including 8.5 credit hours over the summer. I followed the traditional route, in-person lectures and labs every day, except Fridays. Fridays either consisted of volunteer work, extra lectures, study group sessions, and sometimes mandatory events related to the OT field. I took the typical time, 3 years to graduate."
-Creighton University Graduate

Contact Us

Health Careers Resource Center
307 Allwine Hall | 6001 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE | 68182-0070
Phone: 402.554.5980
Email: UNOHealthCareers@unomaha.edu