Pre-Occupational Therapy
Essential Courses
| Course # | Title | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| BI 105 | Biological Diversity and Ecology | 3 | None |
| BI 121 | Biology Lab I | 1 | BI 105 (corequisite) |
| BI 106 | Structure and Function of Cells and Organisms | 3 | BI 105 and CH 105 |
| BI 122 | Biology Lab II | 1 | BI 105 and BI 121; CH 122 (corequisite) |
| CH 105 | Organic Chemistry Concepts I | 3 | None |
| CH 121 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 1 | CH 105 (corequisite) |
| CH 106 | Organic Chemistry Concepts II | 3 | CH 105 (with C or better) |
| CH 122 | Organic Chemistry Lab II | 1 | CH 121; CH 106 (corequisite) |
| BI 207 | Dynamics Of Biological Processes | 4 | BI 106, CH 106, and CH 230 |
| CH 230 | Bioinorganic Chemistry | 3 | CH 105 |
| BI 305 | Biostatistics | 4 | BI 106 or EES 100 |
| or | |||
| ND SS 214 | Statistics for Social Sciences | 4 | None |
| BI 310 | Physiology | 4 | BI 207 |
| BI 367 | Comparative Anatomy | 3 | BI 106 and BI 122; BI 368 (corequisite) |
| BI 368 | Comparative Anatomy Laboratory | 1 | BI 367 (corequisite) |
| SO 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 | None |
| SO 203 | Minority Experience* | 3 | SO 101 or AN 151 |
| PY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | None |
| PY 203 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 | PY 101 |
| PY 350 | Developmental Psychology | 3 | PY 101 |
| EN ___ | English Course | 3 | Varies |
*May substitute AN 234 Constructing Race and Ethnicity but be sure to include its prerequisite An 151 Introduction to Anthropoliogy OR An 254 Archeology Human Prehistory.
Important Notes:
- Strongly recommend Biological Physics/Lab (offered every other year), Introduction to Ethics, Life Cycle, Social Science Research Methods, as many programs not affiliated with Juniata require these courses. Also recommend applied art (ex. pottery, jewelry-making), Communication courses, Ethics of Health Care, Minorities, Aging and Society, Social Problems and Social Welfare, Mental and Physical Handicaps, economics, and foreign language (especially Spanish).
- These courses reflect minimal requirements for most schools. Requirements are given for Jefferson College of Health Professions. Although this course list will be sufficient for most other programs, make sure to check requirements of schools in which you are interested no later than your sophomore year.
- This course list does NOT represent a POE, nor does it cover College requirements. Design a POE, preferably in an academic area, in consultation with your advisor.
- Make sure to have an advisor on the Health Professions Committee, preferably Ms. Sarah May Clarkson.
- In addition to your course work it is mandatory to gain experience in occupational therapy either during the school year or over the summer.
REQUIREMENTS
Jefferson School of Health Professions
| Classes | Credits |
|---|---|
| Human Life Sciences with Lab | 4 |
| Anatomy and Physiology with Labs | 8 |
| English (composition and elective) | 6 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| Sociology | 3 |
| Cultural Anthropology or Ethnic Sociology | 3 |
| Electives (arts, humanities, math, social or natural sciences) | 27 |
| TOTAL | 60 |
Competitive credentials: For accelerated program: High school GPA of 3.35 or higher and SAT total of 1100 or higher. Juniata GPA of 3.3 or higher with no less than a C in any prerequisite course. Volunteer experience is requied. Incoming high school students interested in the 3 + 2 affiliation should have at least 20 hours of volunteer experience. Juniata students need to obtain a minimum of 50 hours of experience in at least two different settings (ex.in inpatient and outpatient facilities)
Helpful websites:
American Occupational Therapy Association - http://www.aota.org
Thomas Jefferson School of Health Professions - http://www.jefferson.edu/jchp/jshp/ot/CombinedBSMSOTprogram.cfm
SUGGESTED CORE PROGRESSIONS FOR
Pre-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Bolded courses are offered only in the indicated semester and/or require a specific sequence due to Juniata prerequisites. Non-bolded courses are either offered in both semesters or represent open-ended choices, making them more flexible in when they can be taken. Course progressions after the freshman year are not carved in stone. Your particular course sequence may be different, depending on your situation. Consult with your advisor.
No Acceleration and No Study Abroad Junior Year
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | BI 105 | Biology Lab II |
| Biology Lab I | Organic Chemistry Concepts II (if C or better in OCC I) and Lab | |
| Organic Chemistry Concepts I and Lab | Psychology (either semester) |
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Year | BI 106 | Bi 207 |
| Bioinorganic Chemistry | English course (any semester) | |
| Developmental Psychology | Abnormal Psychology | |
| American Culture/Ethnic Studies |
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Year | Anatomy and Lab | Statistics (any semester) |
| Physiology | ||
| Sociology (either semester) |
If you do an accelerated program plan to finish most or all of the prerequisite courses the year before your final year at Juniata. If you have one or two courses to complete your final year at Juniata, you could be conditionally accepted to professional school based on your academic record up to that point and on successful completion of the remaining prerequisite courses.
If you study abroad the SAFEST strategy is to take ALL prerequisite courses for professional school in the U.S., which may require you to take courses in the U.S. over the summer, preferably at a 4 year institution. However, if this is extremely difficult for your situation, check with the professional schools you wish to attend to see if they will accept courses taken abroad and if so, get their response in writing. Also if you have a Biology POE and will not have BI 207 by the time you go abroad, check with the Biology Department to see if there is a Cell and Molecular course you can take abroad that will enable you to take upper level biology offerings at Juniata your senior year that require BI 207 (ex. Physiology, Immunology, and Microbiology)
Be mindful of your POE courses, which are NOT indicated here. For example, if you have a Biology POE, you will need to take Freshman seminar the fall of your freshman year, Frontiers of Biology either semester your sophomore year, and Biology 207 at your earliest opportunity after completing Bioinorganic Chemistry.


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