Best universities for occupational therapy in the world

1

University at Buffalo

Location

Buffalo, New York

“Resilient optimism, resourceful thinking and pragmatic dreaming,” is how the University of Buffalo in New York describes the culture of their campus, and with nearly 32,000 students (including a large number of international students), their culture is impacting far more than the school itself. UB is ranked in the top 1% in the world out of 20,000 universities worldwide by the Center for World University Rankings. UB also partners with 90 universities around the world with more than 1,000 study abroad opportunities across all seven continents!

UB’s Department of Rehabilitation Science offers an impressive program, and here’s why: instead of earning just a bachelor’s, you can earn a bachelor’s and master’s in just five years with their combined BS/MS occupational therapy program. Since an average bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete, and a master’s degree around two-three years, you are saving at least a year or two here.

Just because it’s combined doesn’t mean it’s easy though! As a student in this program, you are required to take a full-time course load each semester, complete 70 volunteer hours in an occupational therapy setting and three months of full-time fieldwork experience as a graduate student, all while taking courses such as Neuroanatomy and Orthotics and Prosthetics.

If you know that you want a master’s in occupational therapy, it’s worth pursuing this BS/MS degree at UB. Unlike some other universities, UB takes a holistic approach in accepting students. They look at the student on more than just an academic basis; student recommendations, creative talent, leadership, community service, and other special life circumstances are also taken into consideration.

2

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Location

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

While the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee is known for its strong academics (195 academic disciplines) and diverse population of over 26,000 students, it is also known for its focus on exercise and wellness. The 11-acre Downer Woods, complete with more than one hundred miles of trails, is just blocks from the campus. In addition, the impressive 259,769 square foot Klotsche Center hosts group exercise classes, intramural sports, and even adventure excursions!

UW Milwaukee’s bachelor’s degree in occupational studies combines “various components of health, disability and occupation that contribute to full participation in life.” In this program, disability is studied from a holistic point of view that includes both medical and social factors. Students who are interested in the field of therapeutic recreation have the option of pursuing the therapeutic recreational track. Courses are offered through a combination of traditional face-to-face settings, online, and a blended format of both.

Students must maintain a 2.75 GPA while in this program. Required courses include Client Diversity in Health Sciences, Program Development in Rehabilitation, and even Gizmos and Gadgets: Introduction to Assistive Technology (that one sounds fun!). UW Milwaukee is also well-known for its Assistive Technology and Universal Access Laboratory that features state-of-the-art equipment.

3

Western Michigan University

Location

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has a passion for embracing diversity. In fact, since 2013, Insight Into Diversity has ranked WMU in its top 80 colleges. WMU also knows the power of real-world experience, in addition to academic knowledge, which is why 93% of their students obtain relevant first-hand experience while pursuing their academic programs. Also, WMU reports that nine out of ten Bronco alumni find a job they love in their chosen field!

An interesting fact about WMU: its Department of Occupational Therapy was the first non-teacher program at the school (founded in 1922!), and it is consistently ranked among the top 50 programs in the nation by US News and World Report. Another cool fact about their program: their prime focus is on human diversity and “eliminating disparities in health care and human services.”

WMU offers a unique “4+1” program for undergraduate and transfer students. This program is an accelerated pathway to earn a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Services with a concentration in occupational therapy and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. Students will begin taking graduate-level courses during their final year in the bachelor’s program. If you are interested in WMU’s bachelor/master’s degree in occupational therapy, your application will be evaluated based on your previous academic performance as well as work/volunteer experience, leadership roles, and cultural and ethnic diversity competence.

4

University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

Location

Durham, New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire, the state flagship research university, features award-winning faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a convenient location close to the mountains, ocean, and the energy and charm of Boston. Students can choose from hundreds of majors across five colleges, participate in more than 275 organizations, and compete in intramural or Division 1 sports. Undergraduate students complete their programs at a 95% success rate, which is well above the national average of 60%.

The UNH combined BS/MS program allows you to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree in occupational therapy in five years. In this program, you will experience rewarding fieldwork that prepares you for your future career; in fact, UNH holds fieldwork agreements with more than 600 sites all over the nation.

You will take courses like Occupational Therapy Practice and Professional Roles, Research Methods and Application to Practice, and Occupation Therapy Evaluation and Intervention for Children. The Student Occupational Therapy Association at UNH is a great way for students to get involved in educational, service, and social opportunities. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

5

University of Southern California

Location

Los Angeles, California

The University of Southern California in Los Angeles started with humble beginnings in the 1880s with 53 students and ten teachers, and no paved streets, electric lights, or telephones. Today, more than 48,000 students call USC home. The USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy was founded in 1942 and is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.  

USC Chan offers a bachelor’s to master’s occupational therapy degree that takes most students just five years to complete. In this program, you will take general education and pre-professional courses during your first and second year, and begin taking graduate courses during your junior year. Completing this program not only reduces your overall cost of education but also prepares you for the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy exam.

Hands-on opportunities are incorporated early in the program so that students will gain practical knowledge and skills during their course in this study. A program that values diversity, access, and equity, USC strives to recruit diverse applications and provides financial packages for students from underserved populations. Check out the current students in the BS to MS occupational therapy program.

6

Eastern Kentucky University

Location

Richmond, Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, the county seat of Madison county, and one of the Commonwealth’s fastest-growing cities. EKU holds three major purposes: high-quality instruction, scholarship, and service, which are seen through their many academic programs. Established in 1976, the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy has evolved to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees for those who want to pursue a fulfilling career in occupational therapy.

EKU offers a Bachelor of Science in occupational science that provides students with the essential correlations between occupational science and occupational therapy while providing strong leadership skills that are essential in this field. Through education, research, and service, students will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to seek employment in health care, education, or community-based occupational therapy careers or pursue a graduate program in occupational therapy.

Students applying to this program must complete 60 hours of coursework and have earned a 3.0 GPA or above and have passed the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT). The admissions process is competitive and is based on the student’s academic history. The application deadline is March 15 of each year.  

7

Eastern Michigan University

Location

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University’s goal is to help students find their true passion, and they carry out that mission every day. In fact, 89% of EMU grads are employed in a fulfilling job of their choice within a year of graduating. Born in 1849 as a small teacher’s college, EMU has evolved into the university it is today, complete with more than 200 undergraduate programs and 150 graduate programs.

Established in 1941, EMU’s Occupational Therapy Program consistently provides skilled and compassionate professionals for top-notch occupational therapy careers throughout the world. EMU’s Combined Occupational Therapy (COT) track is a 3 + 2 program meaning that it combines a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Occupational degree.

Students are required to complete 58-60 credit hours in undergraduate courses, 31 credit hours in occupational therapy core classes, and 40 credit hours in graduate courses in order to graduate. In addition to a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours, you need to submit GRE scores, three references, and at least 20 hours of volunteer experience in two different settings in the OT field to apply to the program.

8

Thomas Jefferson University

Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“We improve lives,” states Thomas Jefferson University,  a private university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originated in 1824, Jefferson officially combined with Philadelphia University in 2017 to create a plethora of cutting-edge programs. Students at Jefferson will experience “hands-on immersion through interprofessional education,” which is what you will see throughout their academic programs. To be accepted to an academic program at Jefferson, most students need to complete observation hours of professionals in the field they want to study.

Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences features a BSMS in occupational therapy for transfer students who have already completed 58 credit hours of college-level prerequisites and have at least 30 documented observation hours in at least two OT settings. This program prepares students to work as entry-level occupational therapy practitioners in a myriad of settings. While in this program, students also have the opportunity to focus on areas such as specialized practice, teaching, research, and networking with professional organizations.

Jefferson’s BSMS program entails 155 credit hours, which includes 12 credits of fieldwork. This program holds an average three-year graduation rate of 81%. If you are interested in this field of study, you will need to complete the prerequisite courses with a 3.0 GPA and 30 documented observation hours. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until March 1 or until the program is filled.

9

Worcester State University

Location

Worcester, Massachusetts

As a student at Worcester State University in Massachusetts, you will be part of a lively and diverse campus of approximately 6,000 other learners. WSU offers 60 undergraduate programs, 29 master’s degrees, post-baccalaureate certificates, and online non-credit professional training (in real-time!) This university is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc. (NECHE).

WSU’s Bachelor of Science in occupational studies features a motivating, challenging program that balances traditional coursework with fieldwork experiences to prepare students for a fulfilling career in the OT field. This 80-81 credit hour program (not including prerequisite courses) is comprised of courses such as Occupational Therapy Theories, Psychosocial Wellness/Disability, and Assistive Technology I and II.

Fieldwork is an important part of any occupational therapy program, and at WSU, you will complete four 20-hour Level I fieldwork experiences that correlate with the courses you take. WSU has partnered with 250 organizations for students to gain knowledge and experience necessary to excel in their future career paths. WSU also offers a Master of Occupational Therapy for students who want to further study this intriguing field.

10

Saint Louis University

Location

St. Louis, Missouri

Founded in 1818 and one of the nation’s oldest Catholic universities, Saint Louis University is located in St. Louis, Missouri and Madrid, Spain. Guided by its Jesuit mission of “educating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and preparing students to make the world a better place,” SLU offers its 13,000 students with rigorous, transformative academic programs. U.S. News & World Report ranks SLU in the Top 100 national universities in the nation.  

SLU’s Bachelor in Occupational Science is unique because it is one of only four U.S. programs focused on both occupational science and occupational therapy. This program’s curriculum includes a liberal arts education with a focus on interprofessional health collaboration, occupational science and therapy coursework, and field experiences to prepare students for careers in this health care profession. This program is 133 credit hours, and students must maintain a minimum 2.9 GPA.

This program is competitive: students need a minimum GPA of 3.2 and an ACT composite score of at least a 24. The application deadline is December 1, and decisions are made February 1. Students who complete this bachelor’s degree are guaranteed entry into SLU’s Master of Occupational Therapy program.

12

D’Youville College

Location

Buffalo, New York

According to PayScale, D’Youville College alumni earn the highest-earning salaries among college graduates in Western New York. Born in 1908, D’Youville College, a private Catholic college in Buffalo, New York, began for underrepresented populations. Today, D’Youville features a growing campus of over 3,000 students who participate in more than 50 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.

D’Youville’s School of Health Professions features a combined BS/MS degree in occupational therapy that takes students as few as five years to complete. The program entails 148-150 credit hours, including two full-time 12-week clinical training experiences. A unique aspect of this program is the interdisciplinary education lab, where students can practice treating patients (who are played by actors!).

Freshman applicants must have earned combined SAT scores of at least 1080 or an ACT score of 21 and a 3.0 high school GPA. Transfer students are accepted on a space-available basis; they need at least a 2.5 GPA on previous coursework. Upon graduating from this program, you will be prepared to take the National Certification Examination for Occupational Therapists.

13

Fresno Pacific University

Location

Fresno, California

All academic programs at Fresno Pacific University “emphasize values, ethics, and character development.” (FPU website). While academics are important, FPU focuses on developing character before all else. Established in 1944, Fresno Pacific University, located in Fresno, California, is the Valley’s only accredited Christian university. This nonprofit and independent academic institution offers more than 100 programs, a combination of undergraduate and graduate degrees.

As a pre-physical therapy/occupational therapy student at Fresno Pacific University, you will earn a Bachelor of Science degree, which will equip you with the foundation to pursue a career in physical or occupational therapy. This program also serves as a pathway to pursue a future master or doctoral degree in occupational therapy.

As part of this program, you will learn about occupational therapy through physiological, biomechanical, and motor behavioral frameworks to better help you understand all the facets of this field. In addition to general education courses, this program consists of 62-64 credit hours of required courses, 46 credits of core courses, and 16-18 credits of emphasis courses, totaling at least 120 credit hours.

15

Long Island University

Location

Brooklyn, New York

Born in 1926, the Brooklyn Campus serves as the original and largest campus of Long Island University, a private academic institution in New York with more than 11,000 students. Just minutes away from Manhattan, LIU Brooklyn students enjoy nationally known arts and entertainment venues while they embrace the rich tradition and culture of this university.

LIU Brooklyn Campus offers a 122-credit combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in occupational therapy that is accredited by the ACOTE. Before starting this program, students must complete the prerequisite 64 credit hours of sciences and humanities. The rest of the coursework includes three years of full-time academic courses, clinical work, and community-service experiences.

Since 2015, students from this program have spent their spring break in the country of Belize, helping children with special needs. Students and faculty work with the Inspiration Center of Belize, a non-profit organization that provides medical services to children ages 16 and under. In order to apply for this program, you need three letters of recommendation from individuals you know well (including one occupational therapist), a personal statement, and a minimum of documented 50 hours of volunteer work with a licensed occupational therapist.