School of Health Sciences

Leveraging our legacy to forge the practice of tomorrow.

The Occupational Therapy (OT) Program at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) has a rich history, beginning in 1941. Numerous outstanding scholars and practitioners have graduated from our program and have provided service to the profession, to their clients and to communities. Graduates of the program have gone on to practice in many different aspects of occupational therapy practice, to teach and to serve the profession. Our alumni and faculty have achieved some of the highest honors in occupational therapy, winning the AOTA Award of Merit, being named Fellows of the American Occupational Therapy Association, and serving in high level leadership positions for the profession. At EMU, you won't just learn a set of skills, you will become an OT.

Our Programs

We offer two pathways to obtain a Master of Occupational Therapy. The following links to the 2024-2025 catalog entries. 2025-2026 coming soon:

Combined Occupational Therapy degree (BS+MOT)

Master of Occupational Therapy degree (MOT)

Why Choose the Occupational Therapy Program at EMU?

We Are Unique

Eastern's occupational therapy program has a long-standing tradition of excellence in training competent and caring occupational therapists who practice in diverse settings across Michigan and the nation.

• Our focus on occupation-based practice prepares students to harness the power of occupation in order to maximize the health and well-being of individuals and communities.
• Our hands-on curriculum provides students with opportunities to engage in practice with our many community partners within the classroom and fieldwork.
• Our emphasis on evidence-driven practice prepares students to utilize and generate evidence that they share with clients and members of the profession.
• Our attention to the development of students’ curiosity, positive risk taking and exploration of differing perspectives creates a mindset of life-long learning.
• IN-STATE GRADUATE TUITION WILL BE GRANTED FOR ALL OUT-OF-STATE OT STUDENTS!

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:

7501 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814.
ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-6611 
www.acoteonline.org

National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

Graduates from our OT Program consistently pass the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) national board exam.

For the EMU OT Program NBCOT pass rates for the past three years, go to our Program Outcomes.

Pass rates are reported for all schools online on a state by state basis. Please see the most recent NBCOT board examination pass rates for EMU and other OT Programs nationwide.

In the News

• U.S. News & World Report ranks several Eastern Michigan University graduate programs among best in the nation
• HealthGrad.com Top Picks for the Best Entry-Level OT Master’s Degree Programs By Region