Program and curriculum

Vision

The vision of the Occupational Therapy Program is to positively impact the field of occupational therapy through professional leadership, education, practice, and research. We will prepare graduates with relevant skills and a commitment to life-long learning and ethical practice. Our graduates will be occupation-focused and evidence-based and prepared to improve the physical and mental health and overall functional independence of their patients.

AOTA Vision Statement we envision that occupational therapy is a powerful, science-driven and evidenced-based profession with a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society's occupational needs.

Mission

The mission of the Wayne State University Occupational Therapy Program is to provide a superior education resulting in highly skilled occupational therapy practitioners, to encourage and produce meaningful research that strengthens our practice, and to partner with organizations and agencies similarly dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of individuals and society. Situated in metropolitan Detroit, we aim to embrace and maximize the opportunities of our diverse, multi-cultural community and conduct all of our teaching, research and service in step with the mission and vision of our College and University.

Philosophy

The curricular design of the Occupational Therapy Program is based on the philosophy that occupational therapy addresses satisfying life participation and health through engagement in occupation. We believe that occupational therapy is an essential resource for persons, organizations and populations at risk for or experiencing a loss of independence or interdependence, equality, participation, security, or health and wellbeing (Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, IV, 2020).

The occupational therapy program asserts that occupational therapy must be holistic and person-centered, with interventions that are evidence-based and focused on developing satisfying and independent or interdependent participation in meaningful occupations. The program adopts a holistic view of individuals. Successful students will understand that individuals are whole persons who interact with others physically, mentally, socially and spiritually within a broad environment. The aim of occupational therapy is therefore to address all of these elements to the extent that they limit meaningful life participation. Our program therefore addresses common life occupations (Life Occupations I and II, respectively) and the impact of potential or real changes in body structure and/or function on those skills (Health Conditions I and II, respectively). 

The occupational therapy program further emphasizes that individuals live within much larger socio-political and economic contexts, both locally and globally. These environmental contexts then help shape an individual's ability to participate in meaningful life activities. Therefore successful students will understand the environmental contexts that affect participation (e.g., OT 6140: Environment's Influence on Disability and Health).

1. American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal Occupational Therapy, Vol. 74 (Supplement_2), 7412410010p1–7412410010p87. doi: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001

OT strategic plan 2023-27

Please note: Please be aware that a felony conviction may have a potential impact on a graduate's eligibility for certification and credentialing. If you have questions or concerns about this issue please contact NBCOT at 12 South Summit Avenue Suite 100 Gaithersburg, MD, 20877 - (301) 990-7979 www.nbcot.org