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Why should you choose the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh?

 

OT Programs

  • Ranked 1st* in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
  • 2 years 8 months (8-term) entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program – to become an occupational therapist
  • 1-year (3-term) post-professional Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Therapy Program and 1-year (4-term) innovative Doctor of Clinical Science (CScD) in Occupational Therapy Program – advanced training for occupational therapists
  • Fieldwork opportunities across the country in a variety of practice areas (over 300 sites)
  • The OTD program is designated as a Program of Merit (POM) in Gerontology which acknowledges a commitment to providing a high-quality program that prepares students to contribute their talents and knowledge to the field of aging. The POM designation gives gerontology and health professions programs an Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) “stamp of excellence” that can be used to verify program quality, lobby within institutions for additional resources to maintain program quality, market the program and recruit prospective students. For more information, visit the AGHE POM web page.

Performance of Graduates

  • National certification examination scores exceed national average
  • Hold advanced practice positions as clinical specialists, administrators, managers, researchers, educators, and business owners

Students

  • University and professional organization scholarship and fellowship awardees
  • Pi Theta Epsilon – national honor society for occupational therapy – Beta Tau Chapter
  • Research learning opportunities

Nationally Recognized Faculty Achievements

Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)

  • Highest honor bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

  • Award of Merit
  • Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectureship (highest academic honor)
  • Recognized Fellows
  • Association Leadership: Board of Directors, Representative Assembly, Special Interest Sections, Ad-hoc committees

American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF)

  • Research Academy honored members

Research grants

  • National Institutes of Health
  • US Army Research Office
  • Foundations
  • US Department of Veteran Affairs
  • UPMC & University of Pittsburgh
  • Administration for Community Living
  • Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)

Experts in the fields of:

  • Gerontology
  • Disability Analysis
  • Neurorehabilitation
  • Behavioral Healthcare Ergonomics
  • Hand Therapy

University and Community

  • Founded in 1787 -- one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the U.S.
  • Strong university ties to the local medical community
  • Access to ethnic diversity and cultural resources of a large city with a small-town atmosphere
  • Member of the prestigious Association of American Universities
  • For additional achievements, see: www.pitt.edu/about/achievements

*tied; out of 263 accredited programs