Occupational Therapy identifies the physical illness/disabilities in individuals. It deals with the treatment of such irregularities in the patient to make them comfortable in their daily lives. Occupational Therapy offers a lot of courses to the aspirant as there area of study. There are many graduate and postgraduate courses in Occupational Therapy that helps the aspirant to build up a bright career.

Various Occupational Therapy Courses offered in India

Some of the courses offered in Occupational therapy are:

• B.Sc. (Hons.) Occupational Therapy
• B.Sc. Occupational Therapy
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
• Diploma in Occupational Therapist
• M.Sc. Physical and Occupational Therapy
• Master of Occupational Therapy

Eligibility Criteria for Occupational Therapy Courses offered in India

The aspirant who wants to pursue bachelor degree in Occupational Therapy must be a national of India with at least 17 years of age. They must have passed XII intermediate examination. This intermediate study must include subjects of physics, chemistry and biology. Those who want to do a master’s degree in the related field must possess a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy. After successful completion of master’s degree there is chance to undergo scientific research in the related field. The course duration of the bachelor degree in Occupational Therapy is 4 years. The license for practice after this course will be got, only if it is pursued from any recognized University. Besides this, the aspirant has to pass national certification exam. Aspirants can also find jobs as Occupational therapy assistant in this field. The qualification required to acquire such a job is an Associate Degree or Certificate program in Occupational Therapy.

Entrance Exams for Occupational Therapy Courses

Some of the entrance exams to be undertaken to get an admission in to Occupational Therapy Course includes:

• All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AIIPMR) Entrance Exam
• Delhi University Entrance Exam.
• K.M.C.H. College of Occupational Therapy Entrance Exam
• Manipal University Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Entrance Exam

Job Scope after Occupational Therapy Courses

Therapist can find a lot of job opportunities in Hospitals and fitness centers. They can privately practice in their own clinics. Other areas where operational therapist can find jobs include

• Adult Daycare Centers
• Community Mental Health Centers
• Psychiatric Institutions
• Rehabilitation Centers
• Special Schools

Occupational therapist can find job opportunities in both public and private sectors. Compensation for entry-level aspirants in this field may fall in the range of Rs. 8000/- to Rs. 12000/-. The remuneration of the aspirants increases with experience and higher qualifications.

Occupational Therapy Colleges in India

Some of the top Colleges in India offering Courses in Occupational Therapy include:

• All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
• Chakradhara Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Bhubaneshwar (Orissa)
• Christian Medical College, Vellore (Tamil Nadu)
• College of Advance Studies, Chiplum (Maharashtra)
• College of Allied Health Sciences : Manipal University, Manipal (Karnataka)
• G.S. Seth Medical College, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
• Government Medical College, Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
• Government Medical College, Nagpur (Maharashtra)
• Institute of Physically Handicapped, New Delhi (Delhi)
• Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, New Delhi (Delhi)
• Jaipur Occupational Therapy College and Hospital, Jaipur (Rajasthan)
• K.M.C.H. College of Occupational Therapy, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu)
• L.T. College, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
• Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
• National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, Kolkata (West Bengal)

These institutes offer the students better infrastructural facilities to get well trained to obtain a bright job in Occupational Therapy.