The online, five-day Pre-Occupational Therapy Program (PrOT) at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) in Claremont, CA, will provide participants interested in an occupational therapy career a chance to immersively explore the profession through a diverse range of voices and experiences.
Students will learn about the broad scope of occupational therapy—what occupational therapists do, where they work, and populations they serve. Additionally, participants will learn about innovative and emerging occupational therapy practice areas that meet diverse and real-world needs for participation in daily life to support health and well-being. Interactive and hands-on learning will enhance the understanding of the meaningful work of occupational therapy professionals. Participants will be able to reflectively consider a variety of occupational therapy career paths, educational options, and what is needed for a competitive application. Students will also learn tools to support their own wellness in educational contexts.
2021 Program Dates:
- Session #1 (online): June 14-18, 2021
- Session #2 (online): July 12-16, 2021
Program Activities
- Occupational Therapy Fundamentals
- It can be challenging to understand the scope of practice and theory that drives the profession of occupational therapy. Participants will gain an introductory insider perspective about why the work of occupational therapists can vary so widely across a wide range of practice settings and what principles, theories, and initiatives unify the work of the profession.
- Occupational Therapy in Action
- Participants will have opportunities throughout the three days to engage in active learning about what occupational therapists do in practice. Students will work in teams with each other to explore activity analysis, assessments, and interventions. Strategies for active engagement will cross all three days of the program.
- Occupational Therapy Professional Voices
- Students will hear from a variety of occupational therapy professionals, both new and seasoned, about their work and experiences in practice. Participants will have the opportunity to hear stories from practice and ask questions such as what lead professionals into the work or what their career paths have looked like. Additionally, current occupational therapy students will share what it is like to be in an occupational therapy program.