Pre-Occupational Therapy
North Park University’s pre-professional track for occupational therapy is a sequence of courses and advising that will give you a solid foundation for your applications to competitive occupational therapy schools around the country. The pre-occupational therapy track should accompany a major—most often biology, psychology, or athletic training—where you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which the body and mind function.
Advising
Pre-occupational therapy students are advised by faculty in their major department, often Dr. Linda Vick (biology), Dr. David Bennett (psychology), or Prof. Andrew Lundgren (athletic training), and the director of health professions advising, Kristine Aronsson. Your advisor and Kristine will speak with you about your particular interests in occupational therapy, and help you stay on track throughout your program at North Park. Our Pre-Health Advising Committee— a group of faculty in the Division of Life and Physical Science and the director of health professions advising —will work with you to make sure you are prepared for your applications and interviews for occupational therapy school.
Courses and Activities
We recommend you take the following courses alongside your major and Core Curriculum requirements to prepare for occupational therapy school and a career in healthcare. These courses meet the prerequisite requirements for most occupational therapy programs. However, you should investigate programs you’re interested in to make sure you complete any other specific requirements as part of your program. Some courses may also meet major/Core Curriculum requirements. For full course descriptions and major requirements review the academic catalog.
Occupational Therapy School Admission Prerequisites
- Introduction to Human Anatomy
- Advanced Human Physiology
- Introductory Statistics
- Human Lifespan Development
- Abnormal Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
Other Recommendations
- You should take the GRE test before or early in the third year. Applications for clinical programs should be completed late in the third year. Applications must include evidence that you have completed all prerequisites, obtained appropriate letters of recommendation, taken the GRE, and have had experience in the clinical field.
The Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life
The Johnson Center is North Park’s new 101,000-square-foot facility equipped with 30 state-of-the-art labs and technology-enhanced classrooms for our science and pre-professional students. The biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, and mathematics departments are housed in these new learning spaces. Built to meet LEED-certification standards for environmental responsibility in construction and operation, the Johnson Center is a hub of scientific life at North Park and a stunning addition to the campus community.