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PRE-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Help Patients Achieve Independence as an Occupational Therapist

If you're passionate about helping others, a career in occupational therapy may be right for you. You'll have the opportunity to work with patients from all walks of life, and you'll see firsthand how your work can help them to live more fulfilling lives.

Occupational therapists help people of all ages who have been affected by illness, injury or disability to perform the activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, cooking, eating and working.

As an occupational therapist, you’ll work with patients to develop customized treatment plans using exercise, adaptive equipment and/or cognitive training that help them to regain or improve their skills and abilities, vastly improving their overall wellbeing.

To become a licensed occupational therapist, you must complete a master's degree or doctoral degree in occupational therapy (OTD) from an accredited program. Manchester University's pre-occupational therapy degree gives you foundational knowledge and hands-on learning that prepares you to succeed in your graduate program and in your career.

MU PRE-OT AT A GLANCE

56

Credits

4

Years*

Tuition

View Annual Cost

Fall Session

August 2025

Learning Environment

On Campus with some online courses

Faculty

Meet your professors

*Pre-OT students can earn this degree in 3-4 years.

Why Choose Manchester for Pre-Occupational Therapy?

Manchester’s clinical and rehabilitation sciences major with a concentration in pre-occupational therapy gives you the foundation you need for a successful career. You’ll complete coursework that prepares you for an OTD degree, gain hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art labs, and benefit from the experience and networks of our expert faculty.

Preparation for your future

At Manchester, we prepare you for a smooth transition to graduate school with higher-level learning. Not only that, our occupational therapy courses prepare you for future credentials, including the national certification examination for the occupational therapist.

Gain hands-on experience

Our human performance lab gives you hands-on learning with anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology and health professions examinations, modalities and rehabilitation space. You’ll conduct orthopedic evaluations with mock patients and use equipment such as ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, and traction.

Learn from industry experts

Our pre-occupational therapy faculty mentors bring years of real-world experience to the classroom. Plus, they mentor you and connect you to internships and careers.

Meet your professors

What Can You Do With Your Degree in Pre-Occupational Therapy?

While pre-occupational therapy majors may find entry-level opportunities in health sciences or related fields, the majority of our graduates opt to pursue a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree.

The OTD degree equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to practice as a licensed occupational therapist. Upon successfully passing the national certification examination for the occupational therapist, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, OTD degree graduates become eligible to practice as licensed occupational therapists.

As an OTD degree graduate, you can pursue a wide range of career opportunities in diverse settings, including:

  • CLINICAL SETTINGS

    • Outpatient OT, rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, extended care facilities, senior living facilities, pediatric neurology, schools & pre-schools settings, home health care services and telehealth services

    NON-CLINICAL SETTINGS

    Academics, llinical research,insurance auditors, corporate health consulting firms, home modification specialists, work-station ergonomists, medical equipment sales, assistive technology professionals, low-vision specialists, mental and behavioral health

Career Outlook for Occupational Therapists

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary of $93,180 and a projected job growth rate of 12 percent over the next decade, much faster than the average for all occupations. This means you can feel confident that your occupational therapy major will lead to a rewarding career.

Students under the instruction of Dr. Jeff Beer simulate a patient scenario in the lab.
$93,180
+12 %
 Median Pay Job Growth

Explore Classes for Pre-Occupational Therapy Majors

Manchester University’s pre-occupational therapy degree is intentionally designed to ensure your future success. Our curriculum covers a range of essential health sciences subjects to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed for your future in the field.

Coursework includes rehabilitation sciences, medical terminology, human anatomy, nutrition, physiology, chemistry, orthopedic evaluation, developmental psychology and orthopedic intervention. Additionally, you'll gain practical experience through an internship and coursework related to the administration of health and physical activity programs.

View all required classes for the pre-occupational therapy major.

Get Started on Your Pre-Occupational Therapy Degree

Are you ready to make a difference as an occupational therapist? Take the first step with Manchester University’s pre-occupational therapy degree. Apply today or request more information .

Non-Discrimination in the Admission Process

Manchester University is committed to non-discrimination in campus life. The University does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, ancestry, race, color, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, religion, disability or veteran status in admissions or any area of campus life, including its educational programs, scholarships and loan awards, residence life programs, athletic programs, extracurricular programs, promotion and tenure policies and practice, and alumni affairs.

Manchester University is committed to carry out the provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act, which provide for accessibility of University programs to the physically disabled.