The University of Minnesota’s Occupational Therapy program has led the OT profession nationally and internationally since it was first accredited in 1946.
Our lengthy history delivering curriculum in a hybrid learning format – both in-class and online – has contributed to outstanding academic outcomes, and a seamless transition to off-site learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The OT program’s graduation rate is close to 100 percent, and employers in a variety of settings are actively seeking to hire our graduates to improve the life skills of the people they serve.
The Department of Occupational Therapy is located on the Minneapolis and Rochester campuses and is one of the 60+ health sciences degree programs preparing thousands of health professionals at the University of Minnesota. Occupational Therapy is one of seven departments located in the College of Pharmacy.
Curricular Themes
Five themes organize the curriculum. They align with the program’s mission and philosophy, drive the program learning goals, and structure the sequence of course delivery. These themes are represented in the schema below and are listed here:
Occupations change across the lifespan and are essential to health and wellness. Learners first grapple with concepts of occupation and core beliefs of occupational therapy. Semesters 2-5 focus on the development of occupation across a series of three developmentally based courses: child/youth, adults, and older adults.
Learning is best through experience. Each didactic course is designed based upon the doing of occupational therapy in increasingly realistic cases. Students complete four faculty-driven Level I fieldwork courses in child/youth, adult, older adult alongside, but separate from corresponding didactic courses.
Building and using evidence is core to practice. Courses build upon a sequence that begins with evaluating evidence to understanding research and ending with individual data-based projects that are a part of the Capstone experience.
Clients are individuals, communities and populations. Clients are consistently described broadly, particularly in the development courses sequences of child/youth, adults, and older adults. Each course addresses assessment and intervention of persons, groups, and populations.
Occupational therapists are innovative leaders.
Statement of Our Commitment to Inclusion and Equity
Occupational Therapy Program faculty and staff are unequivocally committed to racial justice and equal opportunity. We will continue to work toward removing barriers and systems that impede or limit the access that students of color have so that they may achieve their full potential. We strive to create an effective and encouraging learning environment, where every student experiences a sense of belonging and fulfillment. And we pledge to work today and every day in support of the role that education plays in advancing a more just and equitable society.