Online Physical and Occupational Therapy Degree

Occupational Therapy
An occupational therapist helps individuals of all ages to live life to its fullest by promoting health so that the people they serve can prevent- or live better with- illness, disability or injury.


When working with patients, occupational therapists help them to perform all types of physical activities- generally daily activities such as dressing, eating, cooking or walking. They may design exercise programs to help their clients increase their strength and dexterity.

For those patients who suffer from permanent disabilities, an Occupational Therapist often helps them to master the use of special and/or adaptive equipment.

Often an occupational therapist will visit the workplace of a patient to assess the space and offer suggestions on how it could be modified to help the patient be able to successfully perform all necessary tasks. Additionally, the therapist can then design exercises to aid in successful performance.

Physical Therapy
Physical Therapists work with patients after an injury or illness or surgery to help restore their patients' bodily functions, prevent permanent disability and relieve pain.

Therapy can include physical exercise or manipulation of the muscles. It can also include various forms of massage. Whether using exercise or massage, therapists work to increase strength, range of motion, and coordination in the patient. Sometimes they train patients how to use prosthetic devices.

Therapists may also employ traction, heat, cold, light and water in their treatments.

There is a big demand for Physical Therapists; they are employed in nursing homes, schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.