Physical and Occupational Therapy Online Degrees

Physical and occupational therapists work with individuals who are suffering from injuries, physical illness, and congenital disabilities. Occupational therapists, more so than physical therapists, also help patients suffering from mental illness or disabilities.

Physical therapists tend to work with those with sports injuries, post operative therapy, chronic pain, injuries resulting from repeated actions and other physical illness. Even though their work revolves around improving their client/ patient’s body, their education focuses a lot on academics. As a physical therapist you would have studied anatomy, life sciences, maths and social sciences. Of course specialised core courses such as exercise science; rehabilitation techniques; biomechanics and physical developmental sciences are also a part of the degree.

Occupational therapists work more towards rehabilitating patients towards both physical and mental acuity. Those who loose mental or physical function or have a condition that is detrimental to their development. As an occupational therapist you will learn physical sciences, behavioural sciences, current theories in occupational therapy, trends in occupational therapy and therapeutic procedures as well as the courses that physical therapists undertake.

Online courses tend to either augment the skill set of a physical or occupational therapist by offering a masters degree or assistants’ certifications. For those with work experience, there are great opportunities online leading to Advanced Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Studies (AMOT) and the Transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy (tDPT).