Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Mission

Consistent with the mission and vision of UMMC and the School of Health Related Professions, the Department of Occupational Therapy’s mission is to serve the residents of Mississippi through the provision of competent occupational therapists who offer holistic, client-centered, evidence-based care that is grounded in occupational performance. These therapists shall exemplify professionalism, leadership skills, and a desire for lifelong learning in order to meet expanding societal needs found in dynamic and diverse practice settings and across populations.

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program goals

1. The program will educate occupational therapists who are dedicated to the welfare of their clients and to the promotion of occupational therapy through service, scholarship, advocacy, leadership and lifelong learning.
2. The program will maintain high levels of student retention throughout the three year program.
3. The students will achieve excellence in performance and also express their satisfaction in a variety of fieldwork and capstone experiences.
4. The program’s graduating classes will meet or exceed the national average for performance on the national board exam.
5. The majority of graduates from each class will serve to meet the health, wellness and community needs of Mississippi’s population by being employed in Mississippi as occupational therapists within 6 months of graduation.
6. Graduates of the program will express a high degree of satisfaction with their academic preparation for becoming entry level occupational therapists at the doctoral level.
7. Employers will express a high degree of satisfaction with graduates.