Occupational Therapists
What Does a Occupational Therapist Do?
A school occupational therapist (OT) is a service provider who helps individuals with disabilities, Birth to 26 years participate in school routines and learning as independently as possible. They evaluate how a student manages classroom tasks and share results with the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team. School OTs support fine-motor and access skills like handwriting, cutting, keyboarding, and using classroom tools. They also help with sensory processing and self-regulation when it impacts learning, and they recommend adaptations or assistive technology to improve access. Services are delivered through direct support and consultation with the special educator, paraeducator, and school team when OT is needed for the student to benefit from special education.
An Occupational Therapist helps individuals with disabilities, Birth to 26 years, access school routines and learning. They support fine-motor skills, sensory regulation, assistive technology, classroom tools, and independence with guidance from the IEP goals.
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Explore Careers as a School Occupational Therapist in Michigan
If you’re interested in supporting students with disabilities and building a meaningful career in education, becoming a school occupational therapist may be a strong fit.
OPTIMISE connects individuals with information, resources, and pathways to explore special education careers across Michigan.
Skills and Qualities of a School Occupational Therapist
Common skills and qualities include:
- Strong observation skills to notice what’s getting in the way of participation (fine-motor, sensory, attention, routines).
- Practical problem-solving to turn needs into simple supports (tool adaptations, seating/positioning, step-by-step routines).
- Clear communication—explaining strategies in plain language to students, families, special educators, and paraeducators.
- Collaboration and coaching mindset (school OT often involves consultation, modeling, and building staff confidence).
- Patience and empathy while keeping expectations supportive and realistic.
- Creativity and flexibility to adjust plans when schedules, classrooms, or student needs change.
- Organization and documentation skills for IEP-related notes, data tracking, and progress updates.
- Calm, steady presence—especially when supporting regulation and sensory needs during busy school days.
Education and Training Requirements for School Occupational Therapists
To become a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) in Michigan:
• Bachelor’s degree (any major is acceptable) plus OT prerequisites required by the graduate program you apply to.
• Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy (MOT/MSOT) or entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) from an ACOTE-accredited program (includes required supervised fieldwork).
• Pass the NBCOT OTR exam (national certification exam for OTs).
• Apply for Michigan OT licensure through LARA/MiPLUS, including required one-time trainings (e.g., human trafficking and implicit bias) and other application items Michigan lists.
• Pass Michigan’s OT jurisprudence exam (state laws/rules).
Occupational Therapy Degree Programs
Click a orange pin to pursue an advanced career
Certifications/Licensing
Must score in at least the 70th percentile.
- Submit a signed and completed application.
- Provide a check or money order for $90 license fee.
- Request transcripts from all attended colleges or universities.
- Forward score reports from your NBCOT exams.
- Request verification of licensure from past states in which you have practiced.
- Submit fingerprints for a criminal background check.
Financial Resources to Pursue a Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree
Michigan Scholarships & Grants
Michigan Reconnect Program
Michigan Reconnect is a scholarship program that pays you to attend your in-district community college tuition free or pays up to the in-district rate if you attend a community college where you’re considered out-of-district. Applicants must be 25 years old to apply.
Michigan Promise Zones
Thirteen Promise Zones have already begun awarding scholarships. Educators, businesses, families and civic leaders are also striving to embed a pervasive culture of learning in these communities – an essential ingredient in any recipe for education success.
High School Graduate Michigan Achievement Scholarship
Amount: $2,000 – $5,500
Federal Scholarships & Grants
File Your FAFSA
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.You must apply for aid every year.
Federal Student Aid Estimator
The Federal Student Aid Estimator provides an estimate of how much federal student aid the student may be eligible to receive. These estimates are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), an index to determine federal student aid eligibility.
Subsidized/Un-Subsidized Loans
Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school.
Pell Grant
A federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness*
Amount: up to $17,500
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)*
If you’re employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the PSLF Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans
*Borrowers can’t receive credit toward TLF and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for the same period of service. That means, if you seek and receive TLF, the five-year period of service that supported your eligibility will NOT count toward PSLF. We recommend that you consider whether you’re interested in PSLF before deciding to pursue TLF, because we can’t make changes once you receive forgiveness.
Graduate or Professional Direct PLUS Loan
Direct PLUS loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education makes Direct PLUS Loans to eligible graduate or professional students through schools participating in the Direct Loan Program.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, administered directly by financial aid office at each participating school, not all schools participate
Federal Work-Study
part-time employment while enrolled in school, available to undergrad, grad, and professional students with financial need, available to full and part-time students, administered by participating schools, emphasizes employment in civic education and work related to course of study or civic education, on or off campus