Introduction

In fall, 1993, the WV Board of Trustees approved the establishment of a new master's degree program at West Virginia University, leading to an entry-level master's degree in occupational therapy. The program at WVU accepted its first students into the professional program in the fall semester of 1996. The academic and fieldwork program requires three years to complete. Prior to application, students are required to complete approximately 55-60 hours of prerequisite courses, which in most instances will take two years to fulfill.

OUR GRADUATES
WVU graduated it first class of Occupational Therapists in 1999. Since that time, it has graduated 242 students, with the next class of 41 students scheduled to graduate in May 2008.

THE PROFESSION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational therapy is a health profession whose services are provided to people of all ages with physical, mental or developmental disabilities. The purpose of occupational therapy is to help individuals achieve a maximum level of independence. The focus is on developing the capacity to function in all activities (occupations) of daily life, including self care, work, and leisure, hence the name occupational therapy.

Occupational therapy is a health and rehabilitation profession designed to help people regain and build skills that are important for health, well-being, security, and happiness.

Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who, because of physical, developmental, social, or emotional deficits, need specialized assistance in learning skills to enable them to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a 55% increase in the number of available positions by the year 2005. Occupational therapists work in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, skilled nursing homes, and private practice.