Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy “helps people of all ages participate in things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Unlike other professions, occupational therapy helps people function in their environments (e.g., home, work, school, community) and addresses the physical, psychological, and cognitive aspects of their well-being through engagement in occupation” (AOTA). The Department of Rehabilitative Health Sciences offers the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree. The program will be delivered in a traditional, on-ground format. The curriculum will emphasize in-depth evaluation and intervention skills with a traditional strong focus on disease, body functions and structure while integrating activity limitations, participation restrictions, and contextual factors. The entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program will utilize a multifaceted approach to education with an interprofessional focus, which will prepare graduates to practice with appropriate skills and expertise in diverse practice settings that requires collaboration, teamwork, and the ability to break down silos that are prominent in traditional health care curricula.