Occupational Therapy Month 2025: Advocacy for a Growing Field

Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession dedicated to helping individuals of all ages achieve independence and well-being in their daily lives. Whether recovering from an injury, managing a disability, or navigating age-related challenges, occupational therapists work with clients to develop tailored strategies that improve their ability to perform meaningful activities or “occupations.” These occupations can include anything from self-care and education to work and leisure activities. By addressing both physical and emotional barriers, occupational therapy plays a vital role in enhancing quality of life and promoting inclusion within communities.

Occupational Therapy Month, celebrated each April, is an opportunity to spotlight the critical value of this profession and the impactful work of occupational therapists. Raising awareness is essential for educating the public about the services available and encouraging individuals to seek the support they may need. “We provide individualized or holistic care and get people back to doing what they need to do in their everyday lives,” says Dr. Tracy Jirikowic, a professor and director of the University of Washington’s Division of Occupational Therapy. 

Celebrating Occupational Therapy Month can also bring awareness to the need for more providers: “We need more people to enter the field. There have been fewer applicants to our program in the past few years,” says Dr. Jirikowic. “Also, we need to continue to increase the public’s understanding and education about what OTs do. For example, an OT can do a home evaluation with an older adult and identify accessibility or safety challenges. They can then  work with that individual and even a contractor to adapt the home environment so that they can stay at home longer and age in place.”

She continues, “OT has a holistic approach. We put all the information together so it makes sense for people and they can live their everyday lives. There’s tremendous value in that.” 

Keep reading to learn about the emerging fields in this career and the education required to become an OT.

To become a licensed occupational therapist, individuals must complete a master’s degree or higher in occupational therapy from an accredited institution. These programs typically include coursework in anatomy, physiology, medical conditions, and therapeutic techniques, alongside hands-on clinical training through supervised fieldwork. “We’re a dual entry profession. You can enter this field with a master’s degree, which is what we have at UW, and then some programs have entry-level clinical doctorates,” explains Dr. Jirikowic. Bachelor’s degrees in related fields, such as psychology or biology, are often prerequisites for entering a master’s program. 

However, for those who want to work in occupational therapy but want to work in academia or research versus directly with clients, there is another option. Dr. Jirikowic notes that these students can complete a PhD research degree, like the one she teaches in at UW. She adds that with a research degree, individuals could also work in advocacy roles or policy development within the field.

Choosing the right career path can be a daunting decision, especially in a field as multifaceted as occupational therapy. It’s not always easy to determine if a career is the right fit, as it requires self-reflection, research, and exposure to the profession. “Take time to explore the profession,” advises Dr. Jirikowic. “Talk with OTs who are working in the field. There’s a great breadth of settings that OTS can work in, from babies and toddlers to caregivers. We work in early intervention, pediatric clinics, school systems, hospitals, and even skilled nursing facilities.”

Applying to OT programs can be competitive, so Dr. Jirikowic recommends students look at requirements ahead of time. She encourages students to take the prerequisite coursework in relevant sciences like anatomy, physiology, sociology, and psychology to prepare for occupational therapy programs. A well-rounded educational background can strengthen an application and help students complete their programs successfully. 

Lastly, Dr. Jirikowic strongly encourages diverse students to consider this field. “It’s important that the people who enter our profession represent the diverse communities we work with.  We want people with lots of different life experiences and backgrounds to enter the profession, I think that’ the future of OT is making sure that we have a diverse therapy professional community,” she says. 

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, new fields are emerging within occupational therapy. “There are many areas OTs can explore. End-of-life care is an emerging area,” notes Dr. Jirikowic. “They can work in community-based mental health settings, an area we hope to see growth in. There is a strong need to support mental health care with occupational therapy for people across the lifespan.” 

OTs are not limited to just working in a clinic. “Some OTs are working in nature-based or outdoor education programs. We also are not seeing more OTs working in consulting who work at more of a community level. They might be providing consultation and support for things like public transportation organizations so that they’re providing accessible service,” says Jirikowic. “There are even OTs who are working with designers and developers on accessible playgrounds or work with landscape architects to design accessible outdoor environments. Also, OTs can provide consultations to arts organizations such as theater and performing arts to support the organization’s accessibility to different populations.”