If you are interested in helping people heal using both medical and therapeutic methods, consider a career in Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. These professionals work to improve the physical, emotion, or mental well-being of their patients.
Students in this major learn how to use art forms to help with emotional stress or mental disorders, recreational activities to improve physical and emotional health, exercises to decrease pain, and other skills to help patients improve their overall well-being. Classes in health, psychology, social work, therapy, anatomy and physiology, and health and aging will provide students with the skills to work closely with others and aid them with any necessary rehabilitation or therapy.
Possible concentrations you may choose from are Art, Dance, or Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Animal-Assisted Therapy, and more.
Required Skills
Professionals must listen to their patients to understand what they want and need to overcome obstacles. This means professionals should have excellent listening skills along with compassion for those dealing with pain or stress. Communication and interpersonal skills will allow you to work closely with patients and other health professionals to ensure you are doing all you can to help your patient. Students interested in this field will also often work with individuals with special needs.
A career in Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions is often a full time position. Professionals work in a variety of locations from offices to recreation centers to physical therapy gyms. Although professionals hold normal work hours, some people work nights or weekends to accommodate their patients' schedules.
Most Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions professionals must earn at least a master's degree along with certification so they may practice. Some professionals decide to pursue their doctorate so they may open their own practice.
Careers
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions graduates work at a variety of locations from hospitals, physicians' offices, and nursing homes to psychiatric wards, community facilities, and rehabilitation centers. Graduates work with both children and adults and use a mixture of activities and arts forms to help improve patients' health. This field is growing at an average or faster than average rate, meaning students should be able to find jobs after graduation.
Here is a small sample of the careers that a degree in Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions might open up.
