What is a Master of Occupational Therapy?

A Master of Occupational Therapy is an advanced degree focused on promoting independent living through a variety of skill sets. Attainment of this degree will require two to three years of additional study after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, depending on the particular college and its program requirements. Occupational therapy is a regulated profession requiring a license to practice.

A person with a Master of Occupational Therapy degree will understand how to advance the independent living of people in all age groups by assisting with and promoting occupational skills that are required for any person to live a healthy adult life. Occupational therapists work with individuals, families and even large organizations to facilitate independent living and promote a variety of skills necessary for people to live independently. Someone with a Master of Occupational Therapy Degree might work in a hospital, in an assisted living facility, as a home health provider or at a rehabilitation hospital.

The primary focus of an occupational therapist is to identify what needs an individual has and to implement a plan of action that enables a person to fulfill that need as independently as possible. This could include arranging for ramp access into a house for someone who uses a wheelchair or could be as simple as recommending an electric can opener for someone with a wrist injury. Someone who has a Master of Occupational Therapy degree has been trained in how to identify these needs and come up with potential solutions.

Occasionally, a person loses his or her ability to perform simply, everyday tasks such as personal grooming, housekeeping, driving and a variety of other normal tasks. This loss can occur because of age, illness, developmental delays or unforeseen injury. An occupational therapist will help to assist or re-train individuals who have never learned or possibly lost one more of these functions and will attempt to restore abilities through the use of exercise, instruction or devices that assist with independent living.

An occupational therapist will also work with family members and caregivers to provide support and instruction on how to properly assist individuals with disabilities without threatening their need for independence. A Master of Occupational Therapy Degree allows for a wide scope of practice and is an integral part of the healthcare system, because the profession fosters independence and thereby increases the self-confidence and self-worth of individuals who are disabled in some way.

The field of occupational therapy is broad, and specialties exist within the profession. Those interested in entering the field can specialize in pediatrics, geriatrics, injury related therapy and many more. It is a career filled with many challenges and many more rewards, making the pursuit of a Master of Occupational Therapy degree an suitable choice for those driven by a need to help others live an independent and happy life.