About the U of U Occupational Therapy Program
What are the strengths of this occupational therapy program?
The curriculum is based on the concepts of Occupational Science. The program is committed to educating practitioners with a strong sense of professional identity. The focus will be on teaching the necessary skills for a graduate to work in health-care-based OT as well as community-based OT and rural OT practice. Technology is also a strong component of the program. Research will be an integral part of the curriculum; there will also be an opportunity to explore a specialty area more in depth through elective classes.
Is the school accredited?
Yes. The program is accredited as of April of 2001 (2001-2007) by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
Is this program part of the WICHE program for out-of-state students?
The Division of OT at the U of U participates in the Student Exchange Program operated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) under which legal residents of western states without a professional school of OT pay the same tuition and fees at this institution as residents of the State of Utah.
To be certified as eligible for this program, the student must write to the WICHE certifying officer in his or her home state for the proper application forms. State eligibility requirements may vary and the number of students included from each state depends on appropriations by the state legislature. For addresses of state certifying officers, visited WICHE or contact them at (303) 541-0214 or info-sep@wiche.edu.
How many students will be admitted to the program?
Up to twenty-eight students will be admitted to the program annually. Admission will be on a competitive basis.
How long will the program take to complete?
The program is eight semesters in length or approximately two and a half years. Once you are admitted to the program, you will go Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring. The last Summer and Spring semesters you will be involved in your Level II Fieldwork.
Can I go part-time?
The program is set up as a full-time program. Because of limited number of faculty and the program design, we will not be able to offer an option of part-time.
Can I work during the program?
Because of the intense nature of the educational program and the need for flexibility in order to take advantage of educational opportunities, we strongly encourage students in the program to work no more than 20 hours a week. It is our experience that students who have to work more than 20 hours often have difficulty keeping up with the coursework.
What Internship requirements must be met to sit for the Nat'l Cert. Exam?
Internships in occupational therapy are called fieldwork. As part of your education, you will be involved in "Level I" fieldwork experiences each semester to give you exposure to the actual work experience in OT. You are also required to complete two 3-month "Level II" fieldwork experiences. These will take place during the second Summer of the program and the third Spring. These affiliations will be set-up by the Program's Coordinator of Clinical Education using legal contracts. One of the fieldwork experiences will be in health care and the other will be in community care.
Does the U of U offer a bachelor’s degree in OT?
Because the field of Occupational Therapy has adopted the master's degree (or post-baccalaureate degree) as the minimum entry level, no program of Occupational Therapy will be offered at the bachelor’s level at the University of Utah. However, If you are interested in exploring the field of OT, an Introduction to Occupational Therapy Course (OC TH 3000) is taught at the undergraduate level.
Those admitted to the program prior to receiving their bachelor's degree will be eligible to receive a Bachelor's of Science in Occupational Therapy Studies after successful completion of the first year of the Program. This degree does not allow you to sit for the certification exam administered by NBCOT.
It is strongly advised that students consider an additional major while fulfilling prerequisites for the Professional Program.
Is there an introductory class at the bachelor’s level?
Occupational Therapy 3000 (OC TH 3000) is an undergraduate, upper-division 3-hour course. It is currently scheduled to be taught Wednesday evenings each Fall Semester. For more information about the course visit the General Catalog.
Does the U of U offer an advanced degree in Occupational Therapy?
An advanced degree in Occupational Therapy is under consideration by the Division. This will most likely be a distance education program and will either be an MSOT or an OTD degree.
