Department of Occupational Therapy

Chicago State University established The Department of Occupational Therapy (OT) in 1982. It is the second oldest OT program in the State of Illinois. Our mission is to train a diverse student body and produce competent occupational therapists and prepare graduates with the skills to meet client needs within rapidly changing service delivery systems.

Occupational therapists are health professionals that provide service to those with impaired abilities. Occupational therapists work with people impacted by injury, illness, developmental problems or aging. Impairment may be physical, mental or cognitive. Practitioners deliver services in many different settings, ranging from private practice to hospitals. Job opportunities include roles as practitioners, consultants, educators, managers, researchers and advocates.Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 17 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.*

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Labor,Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Therapists
(visited July 16, 2022).

Get more information about the department offerings by attending one of our monthly informational sessions.

Occupational Therapy Degrees

The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association. The department offers two degrees:

• A combined Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Master in Occupational Therapy program (BS/MOT)
• A Masters of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

In the undergraduate combined program, students complete the senior year of their baccalaureate program within our professional program, then enter the graduate program.  Our traditional graduate program is designed for students who have already earned a baccalaureate degree. At the successful conclusion of either program, graduates earn a Masters of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree.The curriculum includes fieldwork experiences for students to apply the concepts that they learn in the classroom under the supervision of faculty or practicing clinicians.

 

7501 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 510E

Bethesda, MD 20814

(301) 652-6611

Website: http://www.acoteonline.org

 

 

Licensure & Certification

Graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination for occupational therapists, 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®).

Illinois and most other states also require licensure to practice. State licenses are often based on the results of NBCOT's certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT examination and/or their ability to attain state licensure.

For more information about how our graduates perform, look up Chicago State University’s certification exam results on

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Student Outcomes

The following are outcomes for students enrolled in both our combined BS/MOT and MOT programs from 2020 to 2022. The curriculum is designed so that students who maintain full time status can complete all program requirements within 3 years.

Our program also has the flexibility of a part-time track. Students can change their status from full-time to part-time at any point. Students continuing on the part-time track are reflected in the total graduates column.

Graduation Cohort Statistics

 

 Certification Exam Results

History

The Department of Occupational Therapy at Chicago State University started in 1982 under the leadership of Ms. Artice Harmon. The first class of four students graduated in 1984. CSU ‘s program is the second oldest OT program in the State of Illinois. The Department of Occupational Therapy provided an undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy for 21 years. In 2003, the Department of Occupational Therapy received approval for a combined Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Master in Occupational Therapy program (BS/MOT). The first class entered the new entry level Master of Occupational Therapy professional program in the fall semester of 2004. Many of our alumni are in leadership positions at various levels in Illinois and elsewhere.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Chicago State University Occupational Therapy Program is to prepare a diverse student body to become competent occupational therapists who are skilled in and effective at meeting the needs of clients within rapidly changing service delivery systems. The program is designed to provide a transformative educational experience that develops entry-level therapists who possess foundational skills in the principles of the occupational therapy profession. We strive to produce graduates who exhibit the ability to integrate knowledge into practice while using evidence, critical thinking, and reflective abilities necessary to take on a variety of roles (i.e., practitioner, consultant, educator, manager, researcher and advocate) within traditional and emerging service delivery systems.

Characteristics

• Each Fall & Spring semester of the professional program includes fieldwork experiences that provide apprenticeship experiences in which students apply the concepts that they learn in the classroom in authentic settings under the supervision of faculty or practicing clinicians.
• Level I & II fieldwork experiences provide experiences in a wide variety of settings with individuals who are well and those with a wide range of health conditions and disabilities.
• The professional curriculum is designed to help students develop the reasoning skills necessary to be resourceful professionals.
• The department is committed to helping students develop the skills necessary to continue the process of lifelong learning.
• Small student-faculty ratio allows close contact between students and faculty.
• Faculty are committed to teaching and provide diverse, active learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom.
• Students participate in collaborative applied research with faculty members.
• The diversity of the student population enriches classroom experiences.
• Educational experiences are enriched by faculty's involvement in current clinical practice and research.
• CSU is committed to keeping tuition rates affordable.

 

Master of Occupational Therapy Program Cost

The Health Insurance plan can be waived with proof of insurance and students can opt-out of the U-pass.

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