Occupational therapy programs prepare people to work with patients who have physical, mental, or emotional health problems. Students learn basics of medical science, psychology, and sociology. They learn how to help people get skills to live on their own.

Each morning, you wake up, blink a few times, then get out of bed. You don't think twice as you walk through the bathroom door, lean over the counter to splash water on your tired eyes, then stumble to the kitchen to pour water into the coffeemaker - that is, if you are able-bodied. Many people rely on wheelchairs or other devices for mobility. For them, sinks might be positioned too far back or doorways may be too narrow to pass through. Counters might be too high to even reach the sink in the first place. In situations such as these, occupational therapists can help people change their daily environments in order to help them with the "job of living."

This is just one example of what occupation therapists do. In general, they help people with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities manage daily life tasks. They also use therapeutic activities for patients to increase independent living and promote recovery from disability. Disabilities may be caused by birth defects, injuries, illnesses, learning problems, or aging.

In occupational therapy programs, you learn how to change regular everyday tasks or environments so that patients can live as independently as possible. You take courses in biology, anatomy, and psychology. You also take courses in human development, physiology, and therapeutic techniques. In addition, students learn how to design, build, and teach patients how to use adaptive equipment to overcome physical or mental limitations.

Many four-year colleges and universities offer undergraduate programs in occupational therapy. A bachelor's degree, however, is no longer enough to become a practicing therapist. As of January 1, 2007, occupational therapy students are required to earn a master's degree in occupational therapy. About 100 schools in the U.S. offer master's degrees in occupational therapy. Typically these programs take two to three years to complete.

In addition, a few programs offer doctoral degrees in occupational therapy. These usually take three to five years to complete after you finish your master's. Most people with doctorates become professors.

With a degree in occupational therapy, you can work in private practice, hospitals, or nursing homes. You can also work for community, rehabilitation, or outpatient centers. Many occupational therapists work in prisons and schools.