Through the therapeutic use of everyday activities, occupational therapists assist people of all ages in participating in the activities they want and need to do (occupations).
Occupational therapy interventions that are commonly used include:
- Assisting disabled children in fully participating in school and social situations,
- Assisting people who have been injured to regain skills, and providing services to older adults who are experiencing physical and cognitive changes.
Therapists not only provide them with appropriate care and support to combat their problems, but they also assist them with daily tasks such as washing, dressing, cooking, and eating.
They examine and treat patients of all ages, from children to the elderly, who have serious disorders or are in a bad situation.
Occupational therapists work with patients through rehabilitation and therapy to help them perform daily or physical activities, as well as to improve their patient’s quality of life.
Working closely with patients, being a part of their growth and progress, and witnessing their progress can be extremely rewarding on a personal level. Occupational therapists can work in a variety of settings, including the following:
Hospitals, physician offices, long-term or skilled nursing facilities, schools, home health settings, rehab centers, freestanding outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and mental health facilities are all examples of healthcare settings.
An occupational therapist can enjoy a dynamic career in a variety of settings with the opportunity for job growth, certification, and specialization.
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Schools that offer Occupational Therapy Programs in Louisiana
Here are a few schools that offer occupational therapy Programs in Louisiana;
1. Louisiana State University Health Shreveport
They are educating and training the next generation of healthcare professionals and scientists to carry on their proud tradition of innovative and lifesaving healthcare and cutting-edge medical research.
LSU Health Shreveport is a revered treasure in a community that fought for decades for its establishment as one of only 140 academic medical centers (AMC) in the country.
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The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program is a full-time, 119-credit, three-year program that includes 89 didactic credits in the first two years, followed by one year (30 credits) of Level II fieldwork and a Capstone Experience Project in the third year.
Each semester builds on the previous one, so all courses must be taken in order. The depth of content and emphasis on leadership and research distinguishes the OTD curriculum from the current MOT curriculum offered at LSU Health Shreveport. Prior to Level II fieldwork, small groups of students in the OTD program will design, implement, and disseminate a research study under faculty mentorship.
The two Level II Fieldwork 12-week rotations take place at various clinical sites under the supervision of the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Academic Educators. Following successful completion of Level II Fieldwork, OTD students will complete a 14-week Capstone Experience culminating in the Capstone Project.
Clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development will all be covered in depth during the Capstone. Students will complete the Capstone under the supervision of a community site advisor and a faculty member with expertise in the area of focus.
The Occupational Therapy program provides a graduate degree that leads to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree (OTD). The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, has granted Candidacy Status to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.
ACOTE’s c/o AOTA phone number is (301) 652-AOTA, and its website address is see here. The Doctor of Occupational Therapy program consists of three years (119 semester hours) of coursework on-campus at the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) and off-campus at practice sites throughout Louisiana and beyond.
Six months of Level II Fieldwork and a Capstone Experience are included in these semester hours. All Level II Fieldwork must be completed within 24 months of finishing the didactic coursework.
Contact: +1 318-675-5000
Address: 1501 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, LA 71103, United States
2. University of Louisiana Monroe
Occupational Therapy is a health profession that assesses and treats people who have developmental, social, emotional, or physical problems, as well as assists them in developing the skills needed to overcome the challenges of a disability.
The goal is to help those who are temporarily or permanently disabled be as self-sufficient as possible in areas such as work, home, self-care, and leisure skills while recovering from or adapting to their disability.
Occupational therapy practitioners help people of all ages live their lives to the fullest by promoting health and preventing or living better with injury, illness, or disability.
Typical occupational therapy services include:
- Individualized treatment plans to improve one’s ability to perform daily tasks.
- Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with recommendations for modifications.
- Assessment and treatment of performance skills
- Adaptive equipment recommendations and training in its use.
- Support for family members and caregivers
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association has granted accreditation to ULM’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (AOTA).
Related: 3 Best Occupational Therapy Programs in Maine
Caldwell Hall on University Avenue houses the Occupational Therapy Program at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. The OT program offers an Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) degree as well as a bridge program from OTA to Master of Occupational Therapy.
The primary settings for the Master of Occupational Therapy Program (MOT) are school systems, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.
There are six academic semesters.
Level II fieldwork in approved settings for a minimum of 24 full-time weeks (or the equivalent if completed part-time) scheduled and coordinated by The University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 18 months of completing the program’s didactic portion.
Furthermore, licensure is required in all states in order to practice; however, state licenses are typically based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
Please keep in mind that a felony conviction may make it difficult for a graduate to sit for the NBCOT certification exam or obtain state licensure.
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has accredited ULM’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, which is located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s c/o AOTA phone number is (301) 652-AOTA, and its website address is www.acoteonline.org.
Contact: +1 318-342-1000
Address: 700 University Ave, Monroe, LA 71209, United States
3. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans
The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans is a public university in New Orleans, Louisiana that focuses on health sciences.
It is part of the LSU System and home to six schools (one of two LSU medical schools), 12 Centers of Excellence, and two patient care clinics.
The School of Dentistry was temporarily relocated to Baton Rouge due to Hurricane Katrina, but has since returned to its New Orleans campus. As a public university, it primarily accepts Louisiana residents, with the exception of combined M.D./Ph.D. students and children of alumni.
Read also: Best Occupational Therapy Programs in Utah
The MOT degree program at LSUHSC is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), which is located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4249. The phone number for ACOTE is 601-652-6611. Graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.
Also, the successful completion of this exam qualifies the individual as an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR), and makes him or her eligible for occupational therapist licensure in most states, including Louisiana.
Contact: +1 504-568-4808
Address: 433 Bolivar St, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
Conclusion on the Occupational Therapy Programs in Louisiana
The art and science of occupational therapy aim to promote full participation in life through identified meaningful occupations, resulting in improved health and well-being.
Occupational therapy is a profession that provides a treatment that emphasizes increased participation in meaningful activities as a way to improve function, adaptation, and health.
See below for the answers to some of the most asked questions relating to the Occupational Therapy Programs in Louisiana.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How do I get a full LSU scholarship?
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be enrolled full-time at LSU, have a 3.0 GPA, and be in good standing at the time of the award. The amount varies depending on the scholarship’s earnings.
- How long has LSU’s OT program been running?
3 years
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy program consists of three years (119 semester hours) of coursework on-campus at the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport (LSUHSC-S) and off-campus at practice sites throughout Louisiana and beyond.
- In Louisiana, how do I become an occupational therapist?
To be eligible for an Occupational Therapist license in Louisiana, you must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an occupational therapy-related field from an ACOTE-accredited school.
There are two accredited schools in Louisiana: New Orleans’ Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
- What major is LSU known for?
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Engineering; Education; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Social Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Agricultural/Animal/… are among the most popular majors at Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge.
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Chibueze Uchegbu is a certified medical physiologist with a great passion for healthy living.