Occupational Therapy

Help others live more fully as an occupational therapist

We see it all: children with physical and mental challenges, adults with health issues, and senior citizens with aging-related concerns. And we work with each and every patient to help them regain the skills they need to live life to the fullest.

That’s what occupational therapists do. We help people of every age participate in a variety of everyday activities ranging from basic tasks like bathing and grooming to more complicated undertakings necessary to return to work or get an education. That’s what you’ll learn to do as a student here—and as a professional after that.

TwoAmerican Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) fellows on faculty

Top 25Occupational therapy programs as ranked by U.S. News & World Report

100%passing rate on the national examination over the past three years

The city abounds with opportunity

We are fortunate to have the country’s second largest medical school practically next door—and four of our state’s leading hospitals within walking distance.

Add in the more than 250 community and clinical partnerships we’ve nurtured over the last 50 years, and it’s easy to see why our students graduate ready to succeed in any occupational therapy environment.

You could find yourself working with pediatric patients to overcome challenges posed by physical disabilities. Or assisting elderly patients regain function after a stroke. Or helping people of all ages recover after an accident or major surgery. The possibilities are limitless.

And real-world experience is part of the curriculum

As a student in the occupational therapy department, real-world experience will be a part of your academic journey.

If you’re working toward an entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree, you’ll start getting clinical experience in your first semester and continue to complete fieldwork throughout your three-year program. You’ll also complete a 16-week pre-doctoral residency.

If you’re seeking a post-professional degree, the requirements will be different—but experiential learning will be a must.

No matter which route you choose, you’ll graduate ready to practice in almost any occupational therapy setting, anywhere in the world.

Learn from expert occupational therapists

Whether you’re seated in a seminar-style class or working in a clinic, you’ll be mentored by our experienced, nationally and internationally recognized occupational therapy faculty.

They are experts who have contributed to research and helped to advance the practice of occupational therapy. But they’re also dedicated teachers committed to educating the next generation of practitioners.

Our faculty:

Build upon sound principles of general education by preparing students to communicate effectively, exhibit quantitative skills, think critically, integrate and apply knowledge, exhibit intellectual depth and breadth, be intellectually adaptive, appreciate societal and cultural diversity, and apply ethical standards and values to professional practice
Provide the highest quality professional graduate degree program that offers education related to the provision and management of occupational therapy services
Contribute to the advancement of knowledge through research and evidence-based practice
Provide continuing education opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners who wish to further their professional development
Foster the development of lifelong scholarship and civic engagement among students, faculty, and alumni

The occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Find out more information about the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.

Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Meant for beginning practitioners, this nine-semester program will prepare you to succeed as an entry-level occupational therapist.

Admission Requirements

Learn more about admission and application information.