At that time becoming an occupational therapist involved a four year college education program, followed by nine months of internship. Today in West Virginia you have to successfully complete a Masters program to become a Registered Occupational Therapist at the professional level, and an Associate Degree to become an occupational therapist at the technical level. All center occupational therapist staff are certified at the professional level. Occupational Therapists at both levels must go through an internship and pass a licensing exam. They also must become certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
Several scholarships are available to potential occupational therapists.
One scholarship named in honor of a former head of the WVRC Occupational Therapy Department Charlotte Prudish, has been set aside for West Virginia students. Information on this and other scholarships can be obtained by contacting the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. To Fran, phone calls and letters from former clients are the most rewarding part of her job. She specifically remembers one former client who is now a Computer Programmer for Columbia Gas who uses hand splints to write. Now I'm glad you made me do that because that's what I had to do in computer programming.