Christian Universities offering Occupational Therapy Programs

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

In the medical world, occupational therapy is the field that deals with “what now?” After diagnosis, after surgery, after medication, or after the hospital, when you’re meant to go back to regular activity when you still don’t feel “regular,” occupational therapy steps in to answer the “what now” question. An occupational therapy degree prepares students for a career that focuses on helping people of all ages and all ailments gain or regain mobility, function, and opens doors for them to participate independently in everyday life.

Getting an occupational therapy degree from a Christian college acknowledges and embraces the bridge between creator and creation, as students learn how the body functions and heals. A Christian college teaches students not just how to thrive in their career, but how to pursue it as an avenue of faith, accepting the call to be the loving hands and feet of Jesus to those vulnerable to discouragement and frustration; to those in need of healing.

List of potential careers for those who choose to major in occupational therapy:

• Occupational Therapist: Occupational Therapists work to help people with injuries, disabilities, illnesses, or developmental delays be as independent and safe as possible by improving cognitive, physical, sensory, and emotional functioning. They assess patients’ needs, abilities, and environment and come up with personalized treatment plans which may include changes to their everyday life, therapeutic activities, or the use of equipment.
• Pediatric Occupational Therapist: Pediatric occupational therapists work with children, infants, and even adolescents, to help support development of basic skills and daily tasks needed for play, self-care, social interaction, and learning. Usually, their patients are children with developmental delays, autism, physical disabilities, or sensory processing challenges. Their work involves not just therapeutic activities to improve the child’s development, but also educating the families, teachers, and anyone else involved in the child’s learning, care, and development.
• Geriatric Occupational Therapist: Geriatric occupational Therapists specialize in working with the elderly, helping them to regain or maintain independence and mobility in regular tasks like bathing, home management, dressing, cooking, and generally moving around. They also assess the homes of patients to determine fall risk, recommend modifications, and suggest adaptive equipment. Many of their patients deal with age-related conditions, such as dementia, stroke, balance impairments, and arthritis.
• Home Health Occupational Therapist: Home health occupational therapists (HHOT), as the name implies, come to the homes of patients to provide therapy services and assess their home environment to determine if changes need to be made or equipment introduced. Typically, HHOTs work with older adults, people recovering from illnesses or surgery, and patients with chronic or ongoing conditions. Their goal is to help patients maintain or regain the ability to do daily tasks safely, such as bathing, cooking, dressing, and moving around the home.
• Industrial or Corporate Wellness Therapist: Industrial or corporate wellness therapists are often occupational therapists who assess job tasks and work environments to determine potential risks or ways to reduce them. Their goal is to improve and maintain employee safety, health, and productivity through injury-prevention programs, wellness initiatives, and rehabilitation planning for employees returning to work from injury, illness, or surgery. Health education may also fall under their job description.

Though specific placement rates are not available for an occupational therapy degree, the job outlook is believed to be quite positive. With an average salary of around $98,833 and the potential to do something highly rewarding, it’s no question that a career with an occupational therapy degree is highly appealing. However, it is important to note that most, if not all, jobs in the Occupational Therapy field require at least a master’s or Doctorate degree and licensure. So, with that in mind, what can we do while in college to give ourselves the best chance of success in further education and our careers?

First, you’ll want to plan ahead for graduate school/Occupational Therapy school. You’ll need to maintain a high GPA, aiming for around 3.5 or higher. This means prioritizing academics and staying on top of your studies. Getting all the required prerequisites out of the way is also essential. Talk to your academic advisor early on in your college career about what classes you need to have under your belt for your desired Occupational Therapy program after your bachelor’s degree.

Experience and networking are also vital steps to take to help you succeed with an occupational therapy degree. If you can arrange to shadow or observe a working occupational therapist in different settings, that is a great way to get an idea of what skills and characteristics to focus development on, and to create contacts in the field as you learn and ask questions. Internships and volunteer work in hospitals, rehab centers, or even learning centers are great places to gain experience and network—especially when these places offer you the opportunity to interact with people who have disabilities, illnesses, or developmental issues, as these are often the kinds of patients occupational therapists work with.

Another key step to take while you’re still working towards your occupational therapy degree is to join Occupational Therapy or Health clubs or get student memberships for professional organizations such as the American Occupational Therapy Association, or the Student Occupational Therapy Association. Organizations like these will give you access to great resources and connections that can help you with career planning and development. These groups and clubs may also be able to host or grant you access to conferences in the area that discuss the latest industry developments and best practices, which is important to keep up to date on.

Communication is key for those seeking a career in occupational therapy. You’ll need to be able to explain difficult or complicated concepts to patients and their families in simple terms and adjust your message and tone to their situation. Empathy, emotional resilience, and patience are also par for the course, as you’ll need to navigate patient’s emotional positions as well as their physical ones. This means being able to understand and work with patients through frustration, fear, and impatience and be encouraging and realistic throughout. Organization is a “must-have” for those pursuing an occupational therapy degree and career, as you’ll have to juggle multiple patients, health insurance information, credentials, and doctors’ orders. Finally, you’ll have to be a committed life-long learner. You need to stay up to date on best practices, new treatment options, and medications. Someone with this combination of characteristics, and the dedication to follow through on all the schooling, is a strong fit for a career in occupational therapy, whether in the medical field or in ministry.

Work Cited:

• Lyon, Sarah. “Your Occupational Therapy Salary Guide (2025).” OT Potential, 3 Dec. 2025, otpotential.com/blog/occupational-therapy-salary-guide.

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (NIV)

1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (NIV)

Those with an occupational therapy degree can help design worship spaces with disability and medical restrictions in mind, creating a space for worship that is safe and inclusive for those with physical or mental limitations. They can also help train volunteers and church or ministry workers to support those with disabilities or physical impairments. Additionally, they can assist with Christian camps and community programs, to help with therapy and inclusivity for children with developmental or physical limitations, making it easier for them to participate in activities and engage.

Medical missions, both long and short term are another important way that those who have an occupational therapy degree can share the love of God. Whether by helping children and adults with disabilities gain independence and mobility, or by educating and guiding physical therapy for those recovering from injury, illness, or trauma, someone with the knowledge and skills of an occupational therapist can be instrumental in an effort to share the gospel and reflect the healing love of Christ. Whether at home, locally, or overseas, those with an occupational therapy degree have the potential to leave a lasting impact and share the gospel.

Someone with an occupational therapy degree can work in a field that is immensely rewarding, both to others and themselves. If you are a strong communicator, committed life-long learner, compassionate, science-minded, and passionate about helping others, then perhaps the Lord is directing you toward an occupational therapy degree!