Educational background

Occupational therapy education includes a broad foundation in liberal arts and sciences. Biological, physical, social, and behavioral sciences prepare the entry-level therapist to understand occupation across the lifespan. The accreditation council for occupational therapy education (ACOTE) establishes educational standards that are routinely reviewed to ensure that entry-level occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are prepared as generalists who have had a broad exposure to delivery models and systems; occupational theory and evidenced-based approaches to evaluation and intervention; and analysis and application of occupation as intervention. Occupational therapy education requires the successful completion of fieldwork (ACOTE, 2012).