Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a rewarding career choice because you'll make a positive difference in people's lives.

Helping people of any age learn to recover from life's challenges and relearn the skills for the "job of living" is unique. Our program offers an Occupational Therapy Doctorate, along with the following data points:

Leading OT School

The Department of Occupational Therapy at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences is one outstanding program with two campus locations – Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Casper, Wyoming. The Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program at the University of North Dakota has been ranked in the top 20% of occupational therapy programs in the United States, as reported by the 2024 U.S. News and World Report (USNWR). These rankings are determined through a national peer assessment process, in which our peers across the country have acknowledged our program as a leading institution in the field of occupational therapy education.

• Our Grand Forks, ND location was established in 1954 and initially accredited in 1956.
• Our program in Casper, WY was developed in 1993 and initially accredited in 1995.

  The University of North Dakota (UND) and the University of Wyoming (UW) are collaborating on the transition of the Casper program to the University of Wyoming. This transition is subject to approval by both institutions, their respective governing bodies, and accreditation agencies. The process is currently underway and is anticipated to be completed by May 2027.

Core Values

As students, staff, and faculty, we use these values to guide our interactions in our community of learners:

• Respect: We hold the feelings, wishes, rights, and traditions of others in the highest regard.
• Authenticity: We use the gifts of our unique personalities, values, spirit, and character to guide our behaviors for the benefit of others.
• Making a Difference: We make a difference by helping people engage in occupations that support healthier and better lives.
• Integrity: We conduct ourselves honorably in our thoughts and actions by following ethical and moral principles.
• Compassion: We promote well-being through sensitivity to the emotional aspects of others’ life experiences through positive verbal, nonverbal, and physical actions.
• Collaboration: We work together with others to achieve common goals through the development of open and honest relationships. We embody these values while also adhering to the American Occupational Therapy Association Code of Ethics and Core Values (2020), which are the guiding principles for occupational therapy service provision.

Vision

Our vision is to develop and support the growth of innovative occupational therapy practitioners who will transform practice to maximize health, well-being, and quality of life for the people we serve.

Mission

Our mission is to prepare entry-level occupational therapy doctoral graduates to serve the needs of our rural states and beyond through teaching, scholarship, and service.

The department accomplishes the mission through exceptional educational experiences, integration of scholarly inquiry, and meaningful engagement in the community. Our graduates will lead with an occupational justice lens by integrating occupation-centered, evidence-based, client-centered, and culturally relevant care.

Accredited OTD Program

The entry level Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at both sites has been granted Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. The program will be up for reaccreditation in the 2028/29 academic year.

For information regarding accreditation, contact the ACOTE at 301.652.2682 or mail:

ACOTE
c/o Accreditation Department

7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E

Bethesda, MD 20814

 

The University of North Dakota (UND) and the University of Wyoming (UW) are collaborating on the transition of the Casper program to the University of Wyoming. This transition is subject to approval by both institutions, their respective governing bodies, and accreditation agencies. The process is currently underway and is anticipated to be completed by May 2027.

 

Outcomes

How Occupational Therapy Makes Daily Tasks Possible Again!