Is it harder to become an OT or PT?

The Key Differences Most practicing physical therapists hold a doctorate, which can take about three years to complete. Master's degrees take two years and both require an undergraduate degree. Occupational therapists need at least a master's degree to practice (two years).

Why choose OT instead of PT?

While physical therapy provides rehabilitation of the body to help heal and prevent injuries or other physical ailments, occupational therapy takes a more holistic approach that involves physical well-being alongside emotional, social, and environmental well-being.

Is OT school more competitive than PT school?

Historically, PT programs have been more difficult to get into than OT, but in the past few years the number of applicants to OT programs have literally grown exponentially.

Is OT harder than nursing?

Yes, occupation therapy is harder than nursing because it has more education requirements which take longer to complete. If you are looking for which job has more day-to-day duties, that is definitely nursing, but the actual process of becoming a nurse or occupational therapist is typically easier for nurses.

Is becoming an OT difficult?

Becoming an occupational therapist is hard work, but it's worth it. I recommend that you start planning as early as possible. If you start really focusing on good grades, high GRE scores, and impressive volunteer work, you'll have a better chance at being accepted to the school(s) of your choice.

Is PT a better Career than OT?

What are the cons of being an OT?

What is the hardest part of OT school?

In my OT school experience, and in many OT graduate programs, the most challenging classes are front-loaded in the beginning of the programs. For many students (myself included), gross anatomy, neuroscience/neuroanatomy, and kinesiology are typically the hardest of the classes.

What is better occupational therapy or physical therapy?

When it comes to occupational and physical therapy, neither one is better than the other. Each type of therapy plays an important but different role in recovery from injury and illness—in some cases, people receive both types of therapy at the same time.

What is the highest paying field in occupational therapy?

According to the BLS, OTs who work in home healthcare get paid the most. The annual mean wage of home health care OTs was $102,640 in 2021.

What is the most an OT can make?

The best Occupational Therapy jobs can pay up to $171,000 per year. As an occupational therapist, you help people overcome physiological and cognitive obstacles so that they may better participate in work, society, and all aspects of their day-to-day lives.

What are my odds of getting into PT school?

Physical therapy schools are quite difficult to get into as they are highly competitive. For example, Northwestern University has an acceptance rate of 9.31 percent. Moreover, students also need to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to qualify for the most physical therapy schools in the US.

What are the hardest classes in OT school?

Mental health was the most aggravating. Anatomy was the most difficult. Heavily depends on your program. I would say kinesiology lab.

How long are most PT schools?

Becoming a physical therapist typically takes between 7-8 years, including four years of a bachelor's degree and three years of graduate school. Some accelerated programs may take as few as six years.

Why occupational therapy is the best career?

There is no better career than IT for the curiosity inclined. Everything from Active Directory to cloud engineering falls within the realm of IT. Unlike many other careers, learning never stops in this profession. There are always plenty of certifications to pursue such as CKAD, Network+, or CCNA.

Why is occupational therapy so popular?

Occupational therapy helps you when you have trouble doing daily activities because of an injury, a health issue like a stroke, or a chronic medical condition. It teaches you the skills you need to live independently and perform everyday tasks more easily and with less pain.

Why is occupational therapy the best?

Occupational therapy treats the whole person and engages them in work, self-care, and play so that the deficit or disability can have the lowest possible effect.

Can you make six figures as an OT?

Best-Paying States for Occupational Therapists

The states and districts that pay Occupational Therapists the highest mean salary are California ($109,220), Nevada ($105,020), New Jersey ($104,710), Alaska ($100,810), and Virginia ($97,980). How Much Do Occupational Therapists Make in Your City?

Why do OTS get paid so much?

Education and Qualifications. Higher levels of education, such as a master's or doctoral degree in occupational therapy, positively impact an occupational therapist's salary. Advanced education provides a deeper understanding of the field and may lead to higher-paying job opportunities.

Is occupational therapy a stressful job?

Health care can be a high-stress industry to work in, but occupational therapy offers a lower-stress environment than other areas of health care. Occupational therapists work with patients who may have health conditions but are stable enough to undergo regular therapy.

Can you do PT and OT at the same time?

“OTs and PTs work really well together, because we both help patients achieve their goals. For example, a big goal for a lot of patients is to walk again. Physical therapists will address this goal by focusing on muscle strength, balance, gait pattern and endurance for walking.

What therapist makes the most money?

In addition to being in demand, psychiatrist positions are by far the highest-paying jobs for psychology majors.

How are OT and PT similar?

Both professions educate clients on injury prevention and the healing process and work to improve client movement and quality of life. In many cases, both PTs and OTs are essential to injury recovery. If you're a PT or OT, consider using your skills to give back to our nation's Veterans.

What is the lowest GPA to get into OT school?

Minimum GPA requirements can be anywhere from 2.75 to 3.2 for more competitive programs. Be aware that to be competitive, you will really want to achieve a higher GPA than what the programs' minimums are. The average GPA for admitted OT students is around 3.5-3.8 for most programs that I researched for this post.

Is a Masters in occupational therapy worth it?

The number of jobs in OT is expected to increase by 14% every year through 2031. This growth is much faster than the average growth for all occupations, making the master's degree in occupational therapy a smart investment.

What percent of applicants get into OT school?

Roughly, you have about a 20% chance of getting into an OT program. And, a 50% chance of getting admitted to an OTA program. Here are the exact numbers for a 2021 report: 10,361 applications were submitted to doctoral level OT programs.