What major will best prepare me for the OTD program?

While Baylor's Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program does require specific pre-requisite courses, it does not require applicants to have completed a particular major. Students from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds have found success in Baylor's occupational therapy program—each bringing their unique academic experiences to the table.

Below, hear from Baylor OTD students about how they connected their undergraduate studies to their occupational therapy graduate program. 

Meet a student who majored in:

• Kinesiology
• Psychology
• Human Development and Family Studies
• Health Science Studies
• Exercise Science
• Cognitive Science and Global Health
• Biology

Undergraduate Major in Kinesiology

Name: Zachary Solomon (Class of 2026)
Undergraduate Institution: San Diego State University, San Diego, California

• What sparked your interest in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy? 

  I decided to pursue occupational therapy after having worked under one as an aide and learned the different approaches that occupational therapists can take in order to help their patients recover. I was really pulled in by the holistic approach and the flexibility to be able to practice in a huge variety of settings and specialties. 

• In what ways did your undergraduate major prepare you for Baylor’s OTD program?

  My undergraduate degree was coincidentally super helpful at translating into Baylor’s OTD program. In undergrad, I learned a lot about body mechanics and health issues that can interfere with proper functioning. Therefore, when going through occupational therapy school, it was just like connecting the smaller pieces to the bigger picture. 

• Why do you think undergraduate students from your major should consider a career in occupational therapy? 

  I believe undergraduate students that are taking kinesiology are very similar to me in the sense that we are all for the promotion of healthy lifestyles and overall wellbeing, and I believe that a career in occupational therapy is one of the best ways to put those values into a career—especially since the material from kinesiology directly applies to occupational therapy school. 

Undergraduate Major in Psychology

Name: Kyra Sims (Class of 2026)
Undergraduate Institution: California State University, Fullerton, California

• What sparked your interest in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy? 

  I became interested in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy when my grandfather suffered a stroke, and I didn’t know how to help him. After seeing the amazing work that his occupational therapist did to help him regain his independence, I realized my calling. I wanted to give hope to a granddaughter that his occupational therapist gave to me.

• In what ways did your undergraduate major prepare you for Baylor’s OTD program?

  Psychology helped prepare me for Baylor’s OTD program when it came to the neurological and mental health aspects of occupational therapy. Going into these classes, I felt prepared and had a vast amount of background knowledge that I was able to apply to my current studies. I have been able to apply my knowledge of neurological development, mental health, and neurological and mental disabilities to all my classes! 

• Why do you think undergraduate students from your major should consider a career in occupational therapy? 

  I think undergraduate students who are studying psychology should pursue a career in occupational therapy because mental health is a vital part of occupational therapy. Although, as occupational therapists, we are often treating physical disabilities or helping patients perform everyday tasks, there is always a mental health aspect to every individual. It is vital that we assess and assist our patients’ mental health! 

Undergraduate Major in Human Development and Family Studies 

Name: Aubrey Zipter (Class of 2025)
Undergraduate Institution: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 

• What sparked your interest in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy? 

  What initially drew me to occupational therapy was that it combined skills from several fields I was passionate about—such as the empathy and advocacy found in social work, leadership and creativity found in teaching, problem-solving found in nursing, etc. Occupational therapy blends all these elements into a holistic, client-centered approach by looking at physical, psychological, and environmental factors affecting an individual’s life. After shadowing a pediatric occupational therapist my freshman year and seeing how it can positively impact the trajectory of children’s lives, I felt even more certain of this career path.

• In what ways did your undergraduate major prepare you for Baylor’s OTD program?

  My major provided me a strong understanding of behavior, personality, diagnoses, and interpersonal relationships. Courses in psychology, sociology, and health and exercise science—along with Human Development and Family Studies internships with at-risk youth and older adults in assisted living homes—helped me develop empathy, communication, and leadership skills. The challenging coursework in my major also taught me time management and self-discipline, which have been essential in Baylor’s OTD program. 

• Why do you think undergraduate students from your major should consider a career in occupational therapy? 

  Human Development and Family Studies majors should consider occupational therapy because it offers a creative, holistic, and impactful approach to healthcare. Occupational therapy allows you to work in various settings and with diverse populations to enhance their quality of life in meaningful and practical ways. Occupational therapy is fulfilling work for both the therapist and client, where you can truly make a difference and witness positive health outcomes. 

Undergraduate Major in Health Science Studies

Name: Cora Ayers (Class of 2025)
Undergraduate Institution: Baylor University, Waco, Texas

• What sparked your interest in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy? 

  What sparked my interest in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy was the meaningful and functional nature of the profession. I stumbled upon an ad on Pinterest describing what occupational therapy was, and I was hooked! It seemed to me like the perfect mix of individualized patient education and in-depth application of scientific knowledge when I learned of the profession, and it has turned out to be just that!

• In what ways did your undergraduate major prepare you for Baylor’s OTD program?

  My undergraduate major prepared me for the Baylor OTD program through rigorous study and familiarization with online course formats. I began undergrad during COVID-19, so I had a lot of experience with online courses during that time. This prepared me well for the hybrid format of the Baylor OTD program.

• Why do you think undergraduate students from your major should consider a career in occupational therapy? 

  As occupational therapists, we get the joy of helping restore participation in the most meaningful and important aspects of people’s lives. It is a very rewarding profession, which is part of the reason occupational therapy drew me in, and why I would highly recommend the profession to anyone interested!

Undergraduate Major in Exercise Science

Name: Kendall Jensen (Class of 2025)
Undergraduate Institution: Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina

• What sparked your interest in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy? 

  I was drawn to pursue a degree in occupational therapy after seeing first-hand how occupational therapy emphasizes meaningful activity and patient-centered care. I loved the creativity and adaptability of the profession, and how it empowers people to engage in what matters to them most, regardless of their age or ability!

• In what ways did your undergraduate major prepare you for Baylor’s OTD program?

  My undergraduate major in Exercise Science provided me with a solid foundation and understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and human movement—all of which are fundamental in occupational therapy. This also emphasized the importance of viewing health through a holistic lens, which also aligns closely with occupational therapy’s client-centered and functional approach to overall care.

• Why do you think undergraduate students from your major should consider a career in occupational therapy? 

  Students who study exercise science in undergrad often seem to be interested in human movement and improving quality of life, which are two important factors of the occupational therapy practice. Occupational therapy offers such a rewarding path where that knowledge can be used to make a meaningful impact on people’s daily lives across a wide variety of settings. 

Undergraduate Major in Cognitive Science and Global Health

Name: Daisy Brockhouse (Class of 2026)
Undergraduate Institution: Northwestern University, Cook County, Illinois

• What sparked your interest in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy? 

  After graduating from Northwestern University, I initially was planning on an entirely different career path. I ended up landing a job in Boston that allowed me to work with students that had various learning disabilities and challenges. Through my students, I was introduced to the world of occupational therapy and loved everything about it, so I completely switched my plans! 

• In what ways did your undergraduate major prepare you for Baylor’s OTD program?

  The cognitive science program definitely helped to prepare me in understanding the neurological and cognitive conditions that are discussed within Baylor’s OTD program. Although I adjusted my plans and ended up in Baylor’s program within a fairly short time frame, I still felt prepared because I had an understanding of cognition and various areas of brain damage that can affect occupational performance. Global health also helped to prepare me in understanding various intricacies of healthcare and related policies. 

• Why do you think undergraduate students from your major should consider a career in occupational therapy? 

  I think that occupational therapy is great for cognitive science majors because it allows you to really see the teachings of the discipline in practice. Cognitive science looks at how we process information and how transformations that occur can lead to different outputs, and occupational therapy (especially in the neuro route) is a way of taking these fundamentals and coming up with the next step of how to improve these outputs. I also think that people who enjoy cognitive science and its interdisciplinary nature will appreciate how multifaceted occupational therapy is as both occupational therapists and cognitive scientists wear many hats!

Undergraduate Major in Biology

Name: Hannah Benoit (Class of 2026)
Undergraduate Institution: University of Louisiana at Monroe, Louisiana

• What sparked your interest in pursuing a degree in occupational therapy? 

  I had physical therapy right when I started high school for my knee in a combined physical therapy/occupational therapy clinic. I loved seeing the work and meaningful connections the occupational therapist put into her job. It made me want to find a job where I could connect and help people. 

• In what ways did your undergraduate major prepare you for Baylor’s OTD program?

  My undergraduate years taught me the basics of how the body works and how the environment shapes our lives. It also taught me good study habits and how to collaborate with others. 

• Why do you think undergraduate students from your major should consider a career in occupational therapy? 

  Occupational therapy is the perfect place to make meaningful connections and help people work towards their best selves!

If you have any questions about the Baylor OTD program, application process, or prerequisites, please contact us today at Robbins_Grad@baylor.edu or 254-710-4400.