Department 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. The Department of Occupational Therapy provided an undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy for 21 years and graduated over 400 students. Many of our alumni are in leadership positions at various levels in Illinois and elsewhere.

In 2003, the Department of Occupational Therapy received approval for a combined Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Master in Occupational Therapy program (B.S./M.O.T.). The first class entered the new entry level Master of Occupational Therapy professional program in the fall semester of 2004.

• Educational experiences are enriched by faculty’s involvement in current clinical practice and research.
  
• Each Fall and Spring semester in the professional program includes fieldwork experiences that provide apprenticeship experiences in which students apply concepts learned in the classroom in authentic settings under the supervision of faculty or practicing clinicians.
  
• Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences provide experiences in a wide variety of setting with well and disabled populations.
  
• 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 life long 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.
  
• Scholarship programs are offered for economically disadvantaged students
  
• Chicago State University is committed to keeping tuition rates affordable

Pass Rate

The total number of graduates who passed the certification examination as first-time new graduate test takers from 2005-2007 was 13 out of 16 which is a pass rate of 81.257%.

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