students helping OT patient in grocery store

Pre-Occupational Therapy

Make a difference in a patient's life, help others gain independence and choose a career with options.

UND’s Pre-Occupational Therapy program provides the building blocks for a career as an occupational therapist. This rigorous program prepares you for the national board exam.

Program type:
Pre-Professional Program
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
3 years
Credit hours:
90

Why study pre-occupational therapy?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Join an allied health occupation that's been around for over 100 years. By becoming an occupational therapist you'll work with people at every stage in their life, and have the flexibility to work where you'd like. Occupational therapists work in almost every setting imaginable, including schools, hospitals, small and large businesses, and much more.

Through the course of your education as UND, you'll develop the knowledge, skills and adaptive capacity needed to address occupational challenges individuals face in meeting their daily needs such as self-care, driving, home management, employment and leisure activities. You'll develop critical thinking and reflective skills needed for success in UND's occupational therapy doctorate program and life-long learning in a rewarding career.

Comprehensive Occupational Therapy Degree

As an incoming student, you can earn your Doctor of Occupational Therapy in just six years! With a six-year program offered in Grand Forks, ND, and a satellite campus in Casper, WY, UND's pre-occupational therapy program is composed of two segments:

The first three years of the curriculum are considered to be Pre-Occupational Therapy (pre-professional) and include the following courses:

  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Two semesters of Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab
  • Arts & Humanities elective
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • College Composition
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Introduction to Occupational Therapy
  • Psychology
  • Public Speaking
  • Sociology
  • Statistics

Following completion of the Pre-Occupational Therapy coursework, you need to be accepted into the Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.) program which consists of three academic years (including two summer sessions). Admission to the program is competitive with consideration given to pre-professional performance in the sciences, general graduation requirements, leadership potential, volunteer work and personal qualifications.

Early Assurance Occupational Therapy Program

If you are a high achieving student, we recommend you look into Early Assurance admission into our program. It can ensure a spot in your freshman year. Early Assurance is a criterion-based early admission program for Pre-Occupational Therapy students who have exemplary academic performance during high school. 

For more information on the Occupational Therapy program at UND, visit the School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

Pre-Occupational Therapy Program at UND

  • Hands-on learning emphasized in all stages of your studies, including anatomy with cadaver lab.

  • Connect with classmates in the Student Occupational Therapy Association and Pi Theta, an honorary organization.

  • Two three-month supervised internships at medical or community clinics.

  • Multiple one-week clinical fieldwork experiences.

  • Clinically relevant scholarly project developed in third year of the program.

  • Take classes in the state-of-the-art School of Medicine and Health Sciences building, opened in 2016.

What is an occupational therapist?

12%

Expected job growth for occupational therapists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

93K

Median annual salary for occupational therapists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational therapists (OT) work with people of all ages with various health issues to adapt surroundings and tasks to help people live better with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. OTs work in many different settings such as clinics, hospitals, and nursing facilities.

By becoming a graduate of UND's Occupational Therapy program, you'll have the chance to pursue a career in any of the following settings:

  • Adult physical rehab
  • Rehabilitation in pediatric, adult and geriatric rehab facilities
  • Child and adult mental health practice
  • Child development
  • Public health
  • Ergonomics and work evaluation/conditioning
  • School-based practice settings

UND graduates are recruited for employment because of their broad knowledge base, communication skills, work ethic and range of entry-level capabilities.

Pre-Occupational Therapy Courses

BIOL 150. General Biology I. 3 Credits.

Basic concepts of biology with emphasis on the process of science, metabolism, cell biology, plant and animal form and function, and physiology. Broadly designed to satisfy the needs of those pursuing biological and preprofessional curricula. F.

PSYC 111. Introduction to Psychology. 3 Credits.

A survey of the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, with consideration of the nature and scope of psychology as a science and a profession. F,S,SS.

BIMD 220. Human Anatomy & Physiology I. 3 Credits.

BIMD 220 (3 credits) and BIMD 221 (3 credits) together are a complete survey of the anatomy and physiology of the major human organ systems and the foundational concepts required to understand them. BIMD 220 covers beginner material on introductory A&P, cells, and tissues, as well as advancing through the skin, skeletal, muscle and nervous organ systems. BIMD 221 is a more advanced study of the endocrine, lymphatic, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Each concept is presented through the lens of a diverse human population and both BIMD 220 and 221 are validated as essential studies special emphasis courses covering "The Diversity of Human Experience" topic. Together the courses are designed to meet field standards using the HAPS learning outcomes and goals. Corequisite: Either BIOL 150 and BIOL 150L or CHEM 116 and CHEM 116L or CHEM 121 and CHEM 121L. F,S.

OT 200. Introduction to Occupational Therapy. 2 Credits.

History, scope, objectives, and functions of Occupational Therapy. F,S.

SOC 110. Introduction to Sociology. 3 Credits.

A systematic examination of the social components of human behavior, including the norms, laws, cultural patterns, and economic forces that organize everyday life. Students will analyze theories of society, the structure of social institutions, social conflict and stratification, as well as social interactions among diverse groups of people. F,S,SS.

BIMD 221. Human Anatomy & Physiology II. 3 Credits.

BIMD 220 (3 credits) and BIMD 221 (3 credits) together are a complete survey of the anatomy and physiology of the major human organ systems and the foundational concepts required to understand them. BIMD 220 covers beginner material on introductory A&P, cells, and tissues, as well as advancing through the skin, skeletal, muscle and nervous organ systems. BIMD 221 is a more advanced study of the endocrine, lymphatic, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Each concept is presented through the lens of a diverse human population and both BIMD 220 and 221 are validated as essential studies special emphasis courses covering "The Diversity of Human Experience" topic. Together the courses are designed to meet field standards using the HAPS learning outcomes and goals. Prerequisite: BIMD 220. F,S.

Leaders in Health

Develop the skills to shape the future of healthcare.

Explore More Options

After completing your first three years, continue your education with UND's Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program.

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