Occupational therapy schools in Pennsylvania offer various courses for different degree programs. The courses are available at bachelors, masters as well as associates degree level. Programs are also available for the graduates holding a degree other than nursing, but they have to complete the course in 2 to 3 years whereas nursing applicants get the degree in 1 or 2 years. The dual degree program is a great option for those who want to get both bachelors as well as master’s degree in just 5 years. OT schools also train the candidates to serve best to their patients. Field experience is also an important part of the degree programs, as it makes the aspirants ready to treat all kinds of patients in all types of settings.
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Accredited Occupational Therapy Schools in Pennsylvania
- Alvernia University
Address – 400 Saint Bernardine Street, Reading, Pennsylvania 19607
- Chatham University
Address – Woodland Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
- Duquesne University
Address – 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282
- Elizabethtown College
Address – One Alpha Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298
- Gannon University
Address – 109 University Square, Erie, Pennsylvania 16541
- Misericordia University
Address – 301 Lake Street, Dallas, PA 18612
- Philadelphia University
Address– 4201 Henry Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144
- Saint Francis University
Address – 117 Evergreen Drive, PO Box 600, Loretto, PA 15940
- Temple University
Address – 18012 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
- Thomas Jefferson University
Address – 111 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
- University of Pittsburgh
Address – 4200 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
- University of the Sciences
Address – 600 South 43rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- The University of Scranton
Address – 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510-4699
Stepwise Procedure to Become an Occupational Therapist in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania provides great opportunities to the occupational therapists. OTs in this state are regulated and licensed by the State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure. You can apply for a temporary license while waiting to appear for the exam. But, to get a temporary license, you must work under the guidance of an experienced OT who is licensed with the state for at least one year.
Here is the complete procedure to become an OT in Pennsylvania.
Step 1 – Degree in Occupational Therapy
It is essential that one must have a bachelor’s, masters or an associate’s degree from an Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) approved school, university or college.
Step 2 – Meet the Clinical Work Requirement
The license seekers have to complete clinical work of 6 months under the guidance of an experienced Licensed Occupational Therapist.
Step 3 – Clear the National Certification Exam
If one wishes to practice as an occupational therapist, he/she has to pass an exam conducted by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. One must have at least 70 percentile to get the national licensure.
Step 4 – Apply for the State License
Submit a completely filled and duly signed application to the board and pay the fees ($30) to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania either in the form of money order or cheque. All the transcripts from the colleges you have attended and the verification of certification should be submitted to the board. Along with this, if there are some states where you have practiced earlier, provide the verification of certification in the states to the board. The board may take a few weeks or months to check your qualifications and issue a license.
Step 5 – Maintain Professional Credentials
Just getting the licensure is not enough, one has to renew it after every 2 years. In order to renew it, one has to pay a fee of $55 before the period expires. No continuing education is required in this state.
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Salary of Occupational Therapists in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in May 2017, the average annual and hourly income of occupational therapy professionals in Pennsylvania was $79,860 and $38.40, respectively.
As per indeed.com, the average salary of an occupational therapist in Pennsylvania was $10,8451 per annum (as of September 8, 2018).
Average Salary of Professionals with Similar Job Titles
| Occupational Therapist Rotation | $49,000 |
| Occupational Therapists Occupational Therapy | $84,000 |
| Occupational Therapists Pediatric Outpatient | $84,000 |
| Occupational Therapists Hand | $89,000 |
| Occupational Therapists Home Health | $91,000 |
| Occupational Therapists Acute | $84,000 |
| OT Occupational Therapy | $99,000 |
| Outpatient Occupational Therapists | $92,000 |
| Occupational Therapists Rehab | $84,000 |
| Occupational Therapists Pediatric | $84,000 |
| Occupational Therapists Skilled | $84,000 |
| Occupational Therapists Psych | $84,000 |
| Occupational Therapists School | $83,000 |
| OT Occupational Therapists Therapy | $98,000 |
| Occupational Therapists Outpatient | $84,000 |
Information Source – indeed.com (as of March 28, 2016)
OT Occupational Therapy earned the highest salary, i.e., $99,000 per annum. On the other hand, Occupational Therapist Rotation earned $49,000 per annum.
Annual Median Salaries of Occupational Therapists in Different Cities of Pennsylvania
Name of the City | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Allentown | $85,139 |
| Altoona | $80,442 |
| Bethlehem | $85,139 |
| Doylestown | $96,212 |
| Easton | $85,002 |
| Erie | $78,879 |
| Greensburg | $81,358 |
| Harrisburg | $83,141 |
| Johnstown | $78,871 |
| Lancaster | $83,662 |
| Lebanon | $83,602 |
| Levittown | $96,497 |
| Philadelphia | $91,885 |
| Pittsburgh | $83,909 |
| Reading | $84,447 |
| Scranton | $78,820 |
| State College | $79,930 |
| Stroudsburg | $86,178 |
| West Chester | $91,117 |
| Wilkes Barre | $74,519 |
| Williamsport | $78,615 |
| York | $83,286 |
Information Source – salary.com (as of September 1, 2018)
The cities that paid top per annum salaries to OTs were Doylestown ($96,212), Levittown ($96,497), Philadelphia ($91,8850), and West Chester ($91,117). The lowest paying cities were Erie ($78,879), Scranton ($78,820), State College ($79,930), and Wilkes Barre ($74,519), and Williamsport ($78,615).
