I really want to be an occupational therapist. However, only a select few colleges offer the degree.?

I've been looking at open positions and the requirements are a masters degree in occupational therapy. If I have to major in this I will. I'll just have to find a local school that offers it. (And so far I'm not finding any!) So my question is, if I cannot find a school that will allow me to major in occupational therapy can I major in something else and still be an occupational therapist?

I'm in VA. So far it looks like online courses are the only way I can get my degree without moving out of state.

You will have to major in OT. The reason being is that there are major specific classes that you have to take. You cannot get into a masters in OT program until after you have your BS in OT.

One LONG route that you can take is find a program for an Associates in OT. This will provide the basic therapy based-hands on training for OT. Then, you'd have to find a immersion program to go on to your BS in OT. (I had done this 12 years ago) There were a few OT based classes, but the majority of the classes were College Physics, World History, Theology, Pathophysiology, College Chemistry, Statistics, and Speech. (basically general courses). Now, to go back for my masters, there are more advanced heathcare business and management courses to take as well as a few OT specific courses. I chose NOT to go on for my masters and actually chose a different career in surgery instead---after 10 years of practicing OT.

There may be distant learning programs out there (online). I haven't looked lately. BUT the above route--Associates to Bachelors is what I did---and this was before employers upped the requirements to Masters. I spent 2 1/2 years full time for my Associates and 2 years part time BS and my employer had tuition reimbursement for my BS.

Where are you located? Maybe I could help you with some leads.

EDIT...

I am assuming that you have already checked out the schools in VA. But, in case you didn't, here are their links. Don't know if you are close to any of these cities.

Roanoke:
http://www.jchs.edu/page.php/prmID/78

Harrisonburg:
http://www.healthsci.jmu.edu/occupationa...

Washington DC:
http://www.cpnahs.howard.edu/AHS/Ot/Intr...

Winchester:
http://www.su.edu/ot/template1_.cfm

Richmond:
http://www.sahp.vcu.edu/occu/

This online courses that I found, have the requirement of already having a BS in OT. So you wouldn't really qualify for them. Unless you found one that I missed. Which is totally possible.

Here is a link in which the undergrad could be biochemistry, biology, chemistry, applied psychology and human relations, or psychology. :
http://appserv.pace.edu/execute/academic...

So I guess, I was wrong on stating that your BS has to be in OT. Keep plugging away. This should be a good start for you.

Education is the strongest tool you will have in life.

No, but you may be able to take some of the courses that are required at a local school and then transfer.

These are the schools that have an accredited OT program in virginia.

James Madison University
(OT - professional entry-level master's and combined baccalaureate/master's)
Occupational Therapy Program
Department of Health Sciences
College of Integrated Science and Technology, MSC 4301
Harrisonburg, VA 22807-0001
(540) 568-2399
www.healthsci.jmu.edu/occupational_the...

Jefferson College of Health Sciences
(OT - professional entry-level master's)
Occupational Therapy Program
920 S. Jefferson Street
Roanoke, VA 24016-4443
(540) 985-8594
www.jchs.edu/

Shenandoah University
(OT - professional entry-level master's and combined baccalaureate/master's)
Division of Occupational Therapy
333 West Cork Street, Suite 510
Winchester, VA 22601-5195
(540) 665-5559
lburrow@su.edu
(2 1/2-year program. Students may be accepted without a baccalaureate degree.)
(Part-time program offered)
www.su.edu/ot

Virginia Commonwealth University
(OT - professional entry-level master's)
Department of Occupational Therapy
1000 E. Marshall Street
P.O. Box 980008
Richmond, VA 23298-0008
(804) 828-2219
www.sahp.vcu.edu/occu/

I went to Shenandoah University for my degree in OT. I graduated in 1999 and I know the program has changed a lot since I was there, but it is still worth looking into.

Good luck!

LOL..NO. Occupational therapy is a very specific field, with a practice act. It would be like saying that you can get a job as a MD without a medical doctorate degree. You are right, there are a limited amount of colleges that offer the degree, and the programs are competitive and hard to get into due to the limited amount of space.