Occupational Therapy Program

The occupational therapy program at Samuel Merritt University prepares students for careers in a hospital, school, industry, community or private agencies, and outpatient clinics. The program focuses on assisting patients limited by physical, cognitive, psychosocial, mental, developmental, and learning disabilities, as well as adverse environmental conditions, to maximize their independence and maintain optimum health. Program courses include: basic medical sciences, psychology, sociology, assistive and rehabilitative technologies, ergonomics, environmental health, special education, vocational counseling, and professional standards and ethics. Get more details below including other California colleges that offer occupational therapy program.

The Occupational Therapy program at Samuel Merritt University is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education for more than 30 years.

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Samuel Merritt University

28000 Marguerite Pky, Mission Viejo, CA

Samuel Merritt University (SMU) was founded in 1909 in Oakland, California, as a hospital school of nursing. Offering undergraduate courses in nursing, and graduate programs in nursing, occupational therapy, podiatric medicine, physical therapy and physical assistant, the college is located on the campus of the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland.

Pre-nursing training via partnership programs are available at four San Francisco Bay area schools including Saint Mary’s College of California. Students successfully meeting graduating and performance criteria at these colleges are guaranteed admission to the B.S.N. program at SMU.

The mission of the SMU School of Nursing is commitment to educational innovation in theory and practice in order to empower future nursing leaders who will work to improve nursing practice and the health of diverse populations. The school is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Cost per credit for in-state and out-of-state students is $1,118, which puts this private school far above the average among all nursing schools in terms of affordability. Credit requirements vary between 36 and 58 credits. Financial aid is available for students who qualify, as are scholarships for eligible students.

State-of-the-art facilities include a Health Sciences Simulation Center that provides a virtual environment where risk-free learning in facilitated.

Career services are provided to graduating students in the form of résumé writing, job searches and interviewing tools. Additionally, a partnership with AfterCollege, Inc. provides an avenue for jobs and internships. An ongoing project in collaboration with Interview Stream will allow students to attend mock interviews in preparation for a career in health care.

Students Enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Samuel Merritt University offers a master's degree program in occupational therapy.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Occupational Therapists

Description

Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, occupational therapists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 26.5% from 2014 to 2024

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).