Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy Program provides an education that enables its students to become competent clinicians who are effective problem solvers and communicators, and active leaders prepared to work in a culturally diverse society. The strong emphasis on teaching and advising assures that the program retains its reputation for graduating excellent practitioners. Students study with faculty who are nationally recognized for their excellence in such areas as: adolescent and community mental health, gerontology, independent living skills, pediatrics, psychological adjustment to disability, work evaluation and leadership. This program has additional requirements beyond the major courses. These can include letters of recommendation, volunteer hours, interviews, personal statements etc. Please consult the college catalog or your counselor for more information. 

As of 2007 a masters degree will be necessary in order to practice as an entry-level occupational therapist in the United States.

Therefore, San José State added 31 graduate units to the current program of  study for junior/junior transfers within the occupational therapy program. When successfully completed, students will have earned an M.S. degree in OT and be eligible to sit for the national certification examination and to practice as an OTR (Occupational Therapist, registered).


San Jose State University

Once admitted to San José State University, students must submit the following documents directly to the Department of Occupational Therapy: 1) transcripts of all higher education institutions attended, 2) verification of all volunteer or work experience on the departmental form, and 3) personal data form.

Requirements to enroll in the Occupational Therapy courses. 

• Acceptance to the University as an Occupational Therapy Major
• Completion of all lower division general education requirements
• Documentation of the successful completion of 80 hours of volunteer work - 40 hours under the supervision of an occupational therapist and 40 hours under the supervision of a community agency supervisor. Volunteer hours should be completed within 3 years of planned enrollment in the Occupational Therapy major courses.
• Completion of prerequisite courses for the major
• Prerequisite Courses for the Major:
  Students must earn a C (2.0) or better in each of the following courses, and may repeat each course only once. The courses should be completed within 7 years of planned enrollment in the Occupational Therapy major courses. Please refer to the O.T. Department web page - Pattern I link for additional prerequisite requirements: http://www.sjsu.edu/occupationaltherapy

Required Courses in the Major

BIOL 120
PHYS 110
SOC 102 or ANTHR 102
MATH 136
PSYCH 101
ENGL 101, 102 or 104

• A Community College course in Abnormal Psychology will be acceptable.
• A college level course such as ceramics, painting, weaving, or woodworking which
  requires the use of tools and materials to create a product