Occupational therapy programs are highly competitive and have limited seats available in each entering class. Students wishing to pursue degrees in this area should have strong undergraduate GPAs, a solid background in the physical and nature sciences, and have several hours of practical and/or shadowing experience. Students can begin their preparation for these programs while in high school by completing four units of English; three units of mathematics, including geometry and algebra I and II; two units of foreign language; two units of natural science; two units of social sciences and one unit of speech.
There are limited occupational therapy programs available in the state of Missouri. Missouri State University does not offer a program in occupational therapy. However, students can complete prerequisite coursework that will allow them to apply to a program elsewhere. The University of Missouri-Columbia and Saint Louis University each offer students the option to complete a five-year, joint bachelor/masters degree in the field. Each institution allows students to transfer courses completed at Missouri State to meet application requirements. Saint Louis University also offers an entry level master's degree option for students who wish to matriculate at the post-baccalaureate level. Rockhurst College in Kansas city offers an entry level master's degree program option while Washington University in St. Louis offers both master and doctoral level degree programs.
Below are the links to the Missouri Universities that offer programs: