I have a B.A. in Psychology and am considering OTA? From Maryland, would this be a good move?

I currently have a B.A. in Psych and have been working at a psychiatric rehab facility for four years now and I am just not liking the field, very high stress/low compensation due to all the budget cuts in mental health (I make 11.50/hr and we've been in a raise freeze for three years). How is the job outlook? How is the stress level? Would my B.A. benefit me in finding a job? I would really like to do a B.A. in OT but the closest school is an hour and half away. One school 45 mins away offers a OTA program. I'm currently enrolled there taking pre req's and am trying to make a decision.

Morcar in Ridgely, Maryland said: I currently have a B.A. in Psych and have been working at a psychiatric rehab facility for four years now and I am just not liking the field, very high stress/low compensation due to all the budget cuts in mental health (I make 11.50/hr and we've been in a raise freeze for three years). How is the job outlook? How is the stress level? Would my B.A. benefit me in finding a job? I would really like to do a B.A. in OT but the closest school is an hour and half away. One school 45 mins away offers a OTA program. I'm currently enrolled there taking pre req's and am trying to make a decision.

Hey!

I was in the same situation as you. I had my BA in Psych and didn't see much of a future. I actually just finished the OTA program in Catonsville, MD. My undergrad really helped me out with the prerequisites for the program. There were a lot of people in the program who had to take the occupational therapy classes as well as the prerequisites such as stats or English. The job outlook is excellent!! Having experience in the mental health field should definitely help you out when looking for a job. Best of luck!

@mustng67 do you need physics or any english higher that freshman english for OT? Another thing, lets say you have a job offering and they know you have your BA in Psych are the chances of you getting paid for the double majors good?

Morcar in Ridgely, Maryland said: I currently have a B.A. in Psych and have been working at a psychiatric rehab facility for four years now and I am just not liking the field, very high stress/low compensation due to all the budget cuts in mental health (I make 11.50/hr and we've been in a raise freeze for three years). How is the job outlook? How is the stress level? Would my B.A. benefit me in finding a job? I would really like to do a B.A. in OT but the closest school is an hour and half away. One school 45 mins away offers a OTA program. I'm currently enrolled there taking pre req's and am trying to make a decision.

You should find a masters program of Occupational therapy screw getting another BA... you already have one and most masters programs don't care what your background in but just have the pre- reqs.. but if your ahead do the Masters usually 2 1/2 years compared to the 16 month core you may have to take for the OTA...

A BA in OT won't get you a job, you have to have a masters, unless you want to be an OTA.

a BS in OT won't let you be an OTA either lol... OTR's and COTA's have a different skillset, we learn different things (odd i know). But even with a BS in OT you would still have to do the AS COTA program for OT in order to be a COTA... you have an excellent chance of having all of the prerequisites completed already bcuz of ur bachelors program but thats an insane route. Go to a JC and get your COTA degree. This is why all the BS in OT programs designate themselves as "Pre-OT".

Hey thanks guys. I'm applying the OT Master's programs right now. I actually quailified for early admission because of my undergrad classes and my fieldwork (I've been working with the population for four years now anyway as a psychiatric rehab specialist). I just have to take A&P II and physics at the local community college before the start date. I would have never even looked into the Master's route without asking on here so thanks again :)