What is the Difference Between a Degree & a Certificate for Occupational Therapy?

To understand the difference between a degree and a certificate for occupational therapy, you first need to understand three different occupational therapy jobs: occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant and occupational therapy aide.

Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists help people who have a mentally, physically, developmentally or emotionally disabling condition, develop, recover or maintain skills required for daily living. Such skills include dressing, cooking and eating, and for work--from using a computer to other job duties. The minimum requirement to become an occupational therapist is a Master's degree or higher in occupational therapy.

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Occupational therapist assistants help clients with rehabilitative activities and exercises, working under the supervision of occupational therapists. Most states require that occupational therapy assistants pass the national certification exams of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Occupational Therapy Aide

Occupational therapist aides may prepare materials and assemble equipment for treatment and are responsible for many clerical tasks, including scheduling appointments, restocking or ordering supplies and filling out paperwork.

Certificate

According to Allied Health Schools, one-year certificate programs in occupational therapy assisting are increasingly rare and may only prepare you to become an occupational therapy aide.

Associate's Degree

A two-year Associate's degree in occupational therapy assisting will prepare you to take the national certification exam for occupational therapy assistants.

References

• American Occupational Therapy Association: FAQs About OT Education and Career Planning
• Allied Health Schools: Become an Occupational Therapist: Choosing an Occupational Therapy School
• BLS: Occupational Outlook Handbook--Occupational Therapist Assistants and Aides

Resources

• Occupational Outlook Handbook: Occupational Therapists