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 Chemical Concepts I | 3 | None |
| CH 121 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | 1 | CH 105 (corequisite) |
| CH 106 | Organic Chemical 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 ES 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 |
| SW 221 | Life Cycle | 3 | SO 101 or PY 101 |
| OR | |||
| PY 350 | Developmental Psychology | 3 | PY 101 |
| EN ___ | English Course | 3 | Varies |
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.
2008-09 REQUIREMENTS
Jefferson College of Health Professions
| Classes | Credits |
|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology with Labs | 8 |
| English | 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 | 55 |
Competitive credentials: Science and overall GPA of 3.0 or better perferred. (Note: Grades less than C- will not transfer to Jefferson)
Helpful websites:
American Occupational Therapy Association - http://www.aota.org
Thomas Jefferson College of Health Professions - http://www.tju.edu/jchp/home/index.cfm
SUGGESTED CORE PROGRESSIONS FOR
Pre-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Regular Start 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 | Sociology (either semester) | |
| Psychology (either semester) |
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Year | BI 106 | Bi 207 |
| Bioinorganic Chemistry | English course (any semester) | |
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| American Culture/Ethnic Studies |
| FALL | SPRING | |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Year | Anatomy and Lab | Statistics (any semester) |
| Physiology | ||
| Developmental Psychology |
If you delay the start of Organic Chemistry I to the spring of freshman year be aware that Organic Chem Lab I is offered ONLY in the fall and Organic Chem II lab is offered ONLY in the spring. Also consider whether or not it is wise in your particular situation to take Organic Chem II with Bioinorganic Chemistry your sophomore year.
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.

