Doctorate in Occupational Therapy vs Masters

Are you interested in becoming an occupational therapist? Did you know that the required education to become a certified occupational therapist is a master’s degree program? The Master’s is also a prerequisite for the doctorate in occupational therapy. Once you have completed the Master’s program, you can take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.

What is a Master’s Degree?

A master’s program is a post-graduate degree that follows a bachelor’s degree. Those who graduate from a master’s degree program have mastered a well-established set of knowledge within the occupational therapy field. Most master’s degree programs at CBD College can be completed in 29 months.

A master’s degree narrows your focus to occupational therapy, whereas a bachelor’s degree may be completed in Kinesiology or Sports Medicine.

What is a Doctorate Degree?

A doctorate follows the master’s degree. Most people that want to become professors need a doctorate to get a job teaching occupational therapy. There are two types of doctorate degrees: a research-focused degree and a professional application degree. The research doctorate focuses on conducting qualitative and quantitative research and identifying breakthroughs in the field. On the other hand, an experienced doctorate focuses on applying the field in a real-world context. A doctorate adds two or more years to your educational path. Most people who have completed a doctorate have been in school for eight or more years.

What is the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam?

Once you have graduated from CBD College in our Master’s in Occupational Therapy Program, you will be eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam. Passing the NBCOT exam means you have mastered the highest level of occupational therapy and are accountable for practice standards and a code of conduct to serve the public interest.

How Do You Become an Occupational Therapist?

You will start your journey by completing a bachelor’s degree program and enrolling in a master’s program. The final step in becoming an occupational therapist is to complete the master’s degree program at CBD College and pass the NBCOT exam.

What Do You Learn During a Master’s in Occupational Therapy Program?

The Master’s in Occupational Therapy at CBD College will equip you with the skills necessary to provide comprehensive care to patients with physical, cognitive, psychosocial, mental, developmental, and learning limitations. The program’s goal is to prepare you for an entry-level position as an occupational therapist and to practice competently and ethically as defined by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. and the laws of California.

The following is a list of classes that you will complete in the Master’s in Occupational Therapy:

Research Methods – a review of research design including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. You will learn the key principles for analyzing research.

Foundations of Occupational Therapy Practice – a review of the fundamentals of occupational therapy, history, philosophy, theories, framework, professional behavior, terminology, and documentation.

Functional Anatomy – an exploration of how the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems work together to allow human movement.

Medical Conditions – an overview of acute and chronic medical conditions with a focus on etiology, symptoms, medical interventions, and direct implications for occupational performance.

Mental Health & Behavior Challenges in OT – an introduction to mental disorders and the medical, psychological and sociological factors that influence mental health.

Neuroscience – an examination of the nervous system and how the elements of this system function. These elements include nerve cells, sensory systems, control of movement, learning, memory and human behavior.

Analysis of Human Motion – a review of an advanced study of human movement relative to occupational therapy.

Analysis of Human Occupation – a review of proper patient analysis to promote wellness and improve function for the entire patient’s lifespan.

Evaluation & Intervention of Children & Youth – a review of the physical, psychological, social and cultural effect on children and youth from infancy, to childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

Evaluation & Intervention of Adults & Geriatric – a review of the physical, psychological, social and cultural effect on the geriatric population.

Fieldwork – you will complete over a 1,000 hours of supervised clinical fieldwork as part of the curriculum in the master’s degree program.

OT Lab Procedures – you will complete 231 hours of lab procedures. CBD College has an interactive lab that reinforces the foundation of clinical practice, basic clinical skills, human movement, and the biomechanical effect on patient daily activities.

Evaluation & Intervention in Psychosocial and Community-Based Practice – a review of the skills required for evaluation and intervention with occupational therapy to promote health, wellness and disease prevention.

Advanced Rehabilitation – you will complete 80 hours of advanced rehabilitation. During the curriculum, you will use your rehabilitation knowledge to work on advanced topics in occupational therapy.

Clinical Reasoning and Ethics in Occupational Therapy – a review of clinical reasoning skills for field work and clinical practice. Topics include professionalism, ethics, safety, and communication.

Management and Leadership in OT – an examination of management and leadership skills within the occupational therapy profession.

Research Project – a project that brings all of the knowledge and skills on a relevant research topic that addresses one of the topics in previous courses.

Comprehensive Capstone – preparation for the NBCOT exam.

Why CBD College?

There are many reasons to attend the Master’s in Occupational Therapy program at CBD College. They include:

Practice in State-of-the-Art Classrooms and Labs

While work in one of our state-of-the-art lab, you will work with professional occupational therapy equipment like assistive walking, standing and seating devices, gait trainers, and exercise equipment. This will allow you to use the industry-standard equipment you will use as an occupational therapist. You also learn about the latest technology and advances in occupational therapy.

Training Under Dedicated Faculty and Staff

Our faculty and staff are ready to guide you through the class and lab learning. They are available to answer questions, explain processes and procedures, and keep you informed about occupational therapy protocol. This includes hundreds of hours of classroom and lab training to build your confidence and prepare you for the NBCOT exam.

Gaining Experience Through Externships

In addition to lab work, the Occupational Therapy Master’s Degree program offers externships to give you real-world experience that will help you when you apply for a job as an occupational therapist. This also enables you to build your confidence and learn from the experts in the field.

Accessing Career Services to Find a Job After Graduation

CBD College will help you find a job after graduation. We have strong ties with the community and work with employers who are looking for highly trained occupational therapists. They know that graduates of CBD College are work-ready and have the knowledge and skills to start working on day one.

Hybrid Occupational Therapy Master’s Program

Graduates of CBD College’s hybrid Occupational Therapy program develop expertise in designing and implementing evidence-based treatment plans. Through comprehensive coursework and clinical experiences, over the course of 29 months, you’ll acquire the skills to empower individuals of all ages to overcome challenges and achieve optimal well-being.

Contact us now to learn more.