Welcome to the Occupational Therapy Department, the first and oldest non-teacher education program at WMU and the highest ranking Occupational Therapy program in Michigan by US News and World Reports, 2008.
Welcome to the occupational therapy department at Western Michigan University’s College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). Now is an excellent time to consider occupational therapy as a career path, given the significant shortage of occupational therapy practitioners and the varied and many individuals and groups that need our services. As an occupational therapist, you will be able to work with children with disabilities, children and adults with traumatic injuries, adults with nervous system disorders, children and adults with mental health issues, and aging “baby boomers” who need assistance in living at home. Occupational therapists work in schools, hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes, and mental health agencies.
During our 85 year history, the Occupational Therapy Department has had the distinction of graduating thousands of alumni who have made significant contributions to the profession. Our new state-of-the-art building with emphasis on technology provides students with a perfect environment in which to learn. We offer students diverse opportunities to learn and experience the many areas in which occupational therapists work. For example, the department provides a specialization in low vision therapy in collaboration with the internationally recognized Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies, another CHHS program. Students interested in working with children may become involved in the interdisciplinary Child Trauma Assessment Center, which provides mental and physical health services for abused children. Students may also learn through our pediatric clinic for children and adult clinic services.
Our faculty members have diverse clinical expertise, and 90% of them hold doctorate degrees. We are committed to teaching our students current and emerging clinic skills while also developing management and research skills. I hope that you will consider this exemplary occupational therapy program as your field of study.
Richard Cooper, Ed.D., OTR, FAOTA
Interim Department Chair
6th Annual Barbara Rider Colloquium
OT on U.S. News and World Report’s List of “Best Careers 2008”
Occupational Therapy Named One of Nation’s 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs
