Kinesiology is the science of the body’s moments, preparing students for careers in fields like occupational therapy. To become an occupational therapy assistant, you must find an OTA program, meet the prerequisites and apply, complete the curriculum, pass the NBCOT exam, and achieve licensure. Then, you can start your career.
What can you do with a kinesiology degree? Kinesiology, the study of body movement, prepares students for a future in as many as 30 careers, according to the American Kinesiology Association. One such career path is in occupational therapy, as an occupational therapist (OT) or occupational therapy assistant (OTA).
With so many opportunities to further a kinesiology degree, it’s easy for students to succumb to choice overload. That’s why St. Catherine University wants you to know you can earn your OTA degree in as few as 16 months. To help you make your decision, let’s explore how your kinesiology degree prepares you for an OTA career and the path you can take to get there.
Understanding Kinesiology and Its Career Potential
Kinesiology is the scientific study of the body’s movements and mechanics and prepares students for various careers that use movement to improve health and quality of life. During a kinesiology program, students study the entire human musculoskeletal system, consisting of 600 muscles and 206 bones, along with the array of joints, ligaments, and tendons that come together to support the body.
When a physical activity or an event has an ongoing effect on a person’s ability to move and function or their general health, professionals must know the components in the body contributing to the disruption. That’s why many graduates of kinesiology programs pursue careers in physical therapy, exercise physiology, sports medicine, or athletic training. Kinesiology prepares students to seek a career that combines fitness, health, and public service.
How a Kinesiology Degree Prepares You for Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is another excellent application for those with a kinesiology degree. As an OT or OTA, you will work with clients experiencing a physical or cognitive impairment to promote health, well-being, and participation in meaningful activities. Occupational therapy accomplishes this in many ways, and OTs and OTAs have different responsibilities when helping clients meet their goals.
Occupational therapist duties:
- Performing initial patient evaluations and documenting results
- Developing care plans, goals, and discharge recommendations
- Implementing the care plan and documenting progress
- Revising care plans as needed
- Discharging patients
Occupational Therapy Assistant duties:
- Implementing care plans
- Documenting treatment and progress toward goals
- Collaborating with the OT if the care plan needs revising
Depending on the client’s needs, you may help them improve their fine motor skills, overcome cognitive, physical, and emotional challenges, or build independence in activities of daily living (ADLs). OT interventions may be as subtle as helping a client relearn how to put on socks or as comprehensive as teaching the use of speech-to-text to a client with a spinal cord injury. The systems of the body that are treated in these interventions, however, are precisely the ones you learned in your kinesiology degree.
Ultimately, the goal is to take a holistic approach to OT practice to restore not just function but meaning to clients’ lives.
Are you deciding between the OT vs. PT fields? Discover four main differences between an OTA and a PTA.
Becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant with a Kinesiology Degree
As a scientific study, kinesiology does an excellent job of giving students a comprehensive education on the human body and its functions. Students, then, must learn how to apply this knowledge in their chosen careers. That’s why many kinesiology program graduates pursue further education, and the same is true of kinesiology for occupational therapy.
To start a career as an OTA, for example, you must first find a suitable education program.
1. Find an OTA Pro
You need an Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree from an accredited OTA program to become a certified OTA. St. Kate’s offers an accredited OTA program that applies a blended learning model, joining online coursework with an on-site curriculum. This means you can acquire all your theoretical knowledge virtually and learn how to apply that information during the curriculum’s skills labs and fieldwork elements.
Our program is 80% online and 20% in-person, so you have flexibility in your schedule and location. St. Kate’s allows students to complete our OTA program from anywhere in the country if they can travel for labs and fieldwork experiences. We offer fieldwork opportunities across the U.S.
2. Complete Outstanding Prerequisites
With your kinesiology background, there is likely some overlap between your undergraduate courses and the prerequisites required by your chosen OTA program. After contacting a St. Kate’s admissions advisor, they will help you determine which requirements are fulfilled by your kinesiology transcript and which course you still need to complete. Keep in mind that we offer our prerequisite courses online through our university.
St. Kate’s does not require students to complete all their prerequisites before applying, but we still recommend speaking with an admissions advisor to develop a suitable education plan.
3. Apply to an OTA Program
After working with your admissions advisor to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply to an OTA program. St. Kate’s offers three start dates per year in January, May, and August, so you don’t have to defer your education to the following year.
You’ll also have the support of an admissions advisor through every step of the admissions process to guarantee you have the needed materials and maintain a timeline that allows you to start at your preferred date.
4. Successfully Complete the Curriculum
Upon acceptance into St. Kate’s OTA program, students must tackle the three components of our curriculum: online courses, in-person skills labs, and fieldwork. While our online coursework is flexible, deadlines are not. That’s why it is essential to stay on a consistent schedule.
The work may be challenging at times, but you won’t be alone in your journey. Throughout the program, you’ll have the support of your advisor, St. Kate’s faculty, and your fellow cohort members. Then, in as few as 16 months, you will reach the finish line.
5. Take Your NCBOT and Apply for COTA Licensure
After graduation, you may feel ready to start your career, but first, you must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam and apply for COTA licensure. Passing the NBCOT exam signifies to employers you have the skills to work as an entry-level OTA.
The gravity of this test may be intimidating, but St. Kate’s takes steps to ready students for this exam on top of any independent preparation. At the end of your Level II Fieldwork, you’ll begin the NBCOT Prep Coaching Program, giving students the best chance of passing on the first try. We still recommend utilizing every resource available. By registering an account on the NBCOT site, you can access their online study tools.
With a passing score on the NBCOT exam, you can finally apply for COTA licensure in your state of practice. Each state has slightly different regulations and licensing processes, so take the time to research your state’s requirements.
Within the OTA field, there are many paths to take. Explore 13 OTA careers you’ve probably never considered.
6. Use Your Knowledge and Education in Your New Career
Congratulations, you are now ready to use your education in your kinesiology for occupational therapy career. As an OTA, you’ll apply your kinesiology knowledge for the benefit of your clients, and you’ll be a part of a rapidly expanding profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for OTAs for predicted to grow by 21% from 2023 to 2033, significantly faster than all other fields. You are part of a very bright future for the entire profession.
Ready for Your Future?
With a kinesiology degree in hand, you can apply for St. Kate’s Online OTA program and use your skills to change lives in a rewarding profession. St. Kate’s offers skills labs locations in multiple states, including California, Minnesota, Virginia, and Texas. If our program meets your needs, don’t wait to apply.
Contact an admissions advisor today to start your OTA career.
