• Tools
• Quick Links

What You'll Be Doing

Gannon University believes caring professionals can go beyond the realm of caregiving and help patients lead independent and successful lives. Whether you are interested in reaching out to children with Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome, adults who have work-related injuries or mental health concerns, or geriatric clients with a range of disabilities from Alzheimer’s disease to arthritis, Gannon’s occupational therapy program can prepare you to help others. As an occupational therapy major, you will learn how to develop, teach and evaluate specific rehabilitation programs for a wide variety of people of all ages with physical and mental challenges.

Opportunities for advancement in the field are great, and after working only a short time, occupational therapy graduates may advance to become supervisors, clinical educators, case managers and American with Disabilities Act consultants. Occupational therapists must earn a master’s degree to enter the practice, a degree which you can obtain with a Gannon education. The average starting salary of an occupational therapist ranges from $40,000 to $50,000, and career opportunities exist in all areas of health care, including: hospitals, private practices, long term and home health care, as well as non-health care areas such as schools, industry and consulting.

Who will you support?

Admission Requirements

• Completion of 16 academic units at the high school level, four of which must be English; remainder of units are to be comprised of four units of social science, two to four units of mathematics including algebra, two to four units of science including biology and chemistry with labs.
  
• Your academic course selection, grades, rank in class, guidance counselor recommendation and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) scores will be carefully reviewed for admission consideration.
  
• Demonstrate motivation and curiosity through interests and extracurricular activities.
  
• Letters of recommendation are considered, as is a personal essay discussing reasons for choosing occupational therapy.
  
• Observation or volunteer hours in occupational therapy clinics are not required for admission, but 40 hours are required for the Introduction to occupational therapy course your first semester. Getting these hours ahead of time is recommended; additionally, you then have the possibility of getting letters of recommendation from therapists, which can increase your chances of acceptance.

The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Its graduates are therefore eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the Certification Examination. For further information on accreditation, the address and telephone number for ACOTE are 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220; (301) 652-2682.

The Gannon Advantage

• Students at Gannon enjoy internships, co-ops and study abroad opportunities. In addition everyone completes our "Liberal Studies Core" -- 39 credits that will help prepare you for life.
• Gannon's Career Development Services Office reports that 97% of Gannon's recent graduates are employed or are enrolled in graduate studies.
• On our urban campus, students can enjoy all the conveniences of city living while feeling at home in Gannon's caring community.
• An overall 13:1 student to faculty ratio ensures that students receive the genuine commitment and personal attention they are seeking.
• Gannon's Career Service Center helps students search for graduate school or job opportunities, develop interviewing skills and design a professional resume.
• Over 70 clubs and organizations as well as 18 NCAA Division II athletics provide students the chance to be involved.