Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration
Build a psychology foundation and add the science prerequisites graduate OT programs expect — designed to align with Shawnee State's own master's in occupational therapy.
Program Overview
As the study of behavior and cognitive processes, the field of psychology provides students with the opportunity to study the disciplines of developmental, social, clinical, cognitive, and biological psychology. With an emphasis on courses focused on biopsychology, students will be prepared to understand a deeper meaning of the way psychology affects the brain.
Advanced studies in pathophysiology, neuroanatomy, advanced human anatomy, biomechanics and functional kinesiology, principles of chemistry, and medical terminology, will prepare you with the foundation and additional understanding needed to apply to a graduate level occupational therapy program.
With a robust occupational therapy program on campus, coursework in the Pre-Occupational Therapy concentration is adapted and approved to best prepare students for further studies in the field.
Gaining the necessary pre-requisites to apply to a graduate occupational therapy program, you will also have a foundational set of skills in psychology that can apply to several career paths and future jobs.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
-
Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
-
Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
-
File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
-
Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
At A Glance
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration
Degree
B.A.
Format
On-campus, full-time or part-time
Length
Four years (typical)
Class Size
12:1
Location
Main Campus
Why Study Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration at Shawnee University
Aligned with our own MOT. The concentration's prerequisites are designed in coordination with Shawnee State's master's in occupational therapy.
Real science, in context. You'll take pathophysiology, neuroanatomy, advanced human anatomy, biomechanics and functional kinesiology, principles of chemistry, and medical terminology — alongside the psychology that supports clinical practice.
Small classes and faculty mentorship. You'll have direct access to professors who help you shape your plan, prepare applications, and find research and clinical experience.
A flexible psychology B.A. underneath. If your path changes, you graduate with a complete psychology degree that opens many doors.
You'll complete the psychology major core — covering behavior and cognitive processes — and add a sequence of pre-OT prerequisites in anatomy, neuroanatomy, biomechanics, chemistry, and medical terminology.
- Psychology major core (developmental, social, clinical, cognitive, biological psychology)
- Pathophysiology and neuroanatomy
- Advanced human anatomy
- Biomechanics and functional kinesiology
- Principles of chemistry
- Medical terminology
- Capstone in psychology
Small classes, hands-on coursework, and observation or volunteer hours in clinical settings let you build the experience graduate OT programs expect — before you apply.
- Analyze social-science data using basic statistical techniques.
- Apply scientific methods to questions about human mind and behavior — with attention to physical function.
- Explain key psychology theories and how they apply to occupational therapy practice.
On the Shawnee State University campus in Portsmouth, Ohio, in the Department of Social Sciences.
This is a pre-graduate concentration. Most graduates apply to master's or doctoral OT programs.
- Graduate study in occupational therapy (master's or doctoral)
- Rehabilitation aide or technician roles while applying to graduate school
- Behavioral health and community-services roles
- Health-care and research positions that draw on psychology and human anatomy
Graduates move into occupational therapy graduate programs and into health care, rehabilitation, and community services.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State’s tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Pre-Occupational Therapy Concentration Frequently Asked Questions
No program guarantees admission. The concentration is designed to give you the prerequisites graduate OT programs typically expect; admission depends on GPA, observation hours, recommendations, and the specific program's requirements.
It's designed in coordination with Shawnee State's master's in occupational therapy, so the prerequisites line up — but you can apply to any accredited OT graduate program.
Yes. You'll graduate with a complete B.A. in Psychology, which opens many doors on its own.
Program handbook
Program details are available in the Academic Catalog. For specific concentration requirements, contact Dr. Brian Richards (brichards@shawnee.edu, (740) 351-3244).
Accreditation
Shawnee State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more, see shawnee.edu/about-us/accreditation.
