Mailing Address: 520 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Website: www.health.utah.edu/occupational-recreational-therapies
Phone: 801-585-9135
Department Chair: Lorie Gage Richards, PhD, OTR/L
Undergraduate Director: Melissa Zahl, PhD, MTRS, CTRS
Occupational Therapy Program Director: Beth Cardell, PhD, OTR/L
Recreational Therapy Program Director: Rhonda Nelson, PhD, CTRS, MT-BC
Contact for Prospective Students: Kelly Brown, MEd; kelly.brown@hsc.utah.edu
Mission Statement
To discover and transmit knowledge through research, education and service relevant to occupational therapy and recreational therapy. Our research emphasizes the promotion of health and participation in valued life activities using an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for a diverse group of students to participate in a high quality, transformative educational experience. We prepare innovative OT and RT practitioners and scholars who provide evidence-based service. Our scholarly, educational, service and clinical activities meet unique needs of our communities.
Overview
Occupational Therapy and Recreational Therapy share philosophical roots and the belief that health and quality of life only emerge when people regularly engage in a healthy variety of meaningful activities. The Department fosters opportunities for interprofessional education that better prepares students to model or promote well-functioning health care teams and promotes a strong interface of colleagues and resources for collaboration. We value engagement in research related to how participation in activities influences health and quality of life and the development and refinement of interventions effective in facilitating such participation. We are committed to educating strong clinicians, researchers, and leaders for the unfolding future.
Commitment to Belonging
The Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies is committed to providing a welcoming space for a all students, staff, and faculty. Consistent with the University of Utah Nondiscrimination Policy, we do not tolerate any forms of discrimination, including racism and genderism, in our learning communities due to their harmful impacts. We support open communication from any member of our community about incidences of bias and discrimination, and commit to gather information to understand and address concerns with transparency to the best of our abilities.
Types of Degrees
Bachelor of Science
Master of Occupational Therapy
Master of Science
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Certifications
Graduates of the Masters or Doctorate program in Occupational Therapy are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). All states require licensure to practice. State licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
The University of Utah Recreation Therapy coursework prepares the student to take the NCTRC examination to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and obtain Utah state licensure. However, we cannot guarantee students will be eligible for the NCTRC exam and Utah state licensure.
Accreditation
Occupational Therapy
The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is accredited by the U.S. Office of Education as the only accrediting agency for educational programs in occupational therapy.
The U of U MOT Program has been accredited by ACOTE (2017-2027).
The U of U OTD Program has been accredited by ACOTE (2026-2033).
Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork and an individual 14-week capstone experience (for OTD students) within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as defined in 2023 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
Recreational Therapy
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE), verifies that the following program:
Recreational Therapy
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
is judged to be in compliance with the nationally established standards and awarded Initial accreditation on September 17, 2021.
The Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE), an organization created to develop minimal quality standards for accrediting university education programs in the field, was established in 2010 and is sponsored by ATRA. CARTE is an approved accreditation program under the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).