Established in 1941, Eastern Michigan University’s Occupational Therapy Program has a long-standing tradition of excellence, providing competent and caring professionals to the local community and throughout the State of Michigan and across the nation.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook predicts that occupational therapists’ employment will grow 17.5 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This prediction is based on the increasing demand for services for older adults, persons with chronic diseases, and children and adults with autism. Also, emerging practice areas for occupational therapists in driver rehabilitation and fall prevention continue to develop. Occupational therapists are employed in diverse settings, including but not limited to: hospitals, schools, rehabilitation facilities, long-term care facilities, home health care, and areas of prevention and wellness. Occupational Therapy was rated in the top 100 best jobs overall by U.S. News and World Report (2023).

There are two routes of entry to the occupational therapy degree. Student applicants are integrated into one cohort once admitted into the program. Please carefully review the tracks below to identify which option fits you.

Option 1 - Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)

This option is available to applicants with an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university or appropriate international institution is required. Candidates may apply while their degree is in progress, but degree completion, demonstrated by transcript evaluation, is necessary before starting the Occupational Therapy Program. This track culminates with a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT degree).  If choosing this option you will fill out the Masters of Occupational Therapy OTCAS application.

Please see the Graduate Catalog for more information.

Option 2 - Combined Occupational Therapy (COT)

The Combined Occupational Therapy (COT) track is often referred to as the 3+2 program. The COT track is designed for undergraduate students who do not yet have a bachelor’s degree. This track culminates with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree. If choosing this option you will fill out the Combined Occupational Therapy (COT) OTCAS application. To be eligible to apply as a COT student:

• Before starting the OT program in January, the student must complete a minimum of 90 Undergraduate credit hours. If the student submits an application to OTCAS with less than 90 credit hours, they will need to include a plan for completing the 90 credit hours before the start of the winter semester (January). A student is not eligible to begin the program until after completing the 90 undergraduate credit hours.
• Before starting the program in January, students must complete all general education courses. General education courses can be completed in the fall semester as applications are under review.
• Applicants who are not already admitted to EMU will need to complete an undergraduate application as an undergraduate student. The applicant must also meet with a general academic advisor to identify how previous coursework will transfer to EMU and determine the remaining general education coursework that may be needed. Failure to follow this direction results in a denied application.

Please see Program Admission below for more information regarding this program.

Opportunities

Many of our occupational therapy students take advantage of engaging in the community and classroom through organizations such as the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), Pi Theta, and the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD). Students develop clinical and critical thinking skills through part- and full-time fieldwork during five semesters in the program. They have opportunities for interprofessional education with programs within and outside of the University.

Information/Group Advising Sessions for Occupational Therapy Intent Students

Information/group advising sessions and the online video series introduce the EMU Occupational Therapy Program’s application process.

All interested applicants are strongly encouraged to view the online video series or attend a scheduled Advising Session.

Accreditation

The EMU Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.