Welcome from the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Occupational Therapy at New York University (NYU)! It is my pleasure to greet you as you explore our website. Our Department is located in the heart of Greenwich Village in New York City. We believe in a student-centered approach to education grounded in the dynamic nature of the profession of occupational therapy. Since 1940, our Department has been dedicated to occupational therapy education at NYU, one of the leading universities in the world.

Students in our four educational programs gain knowledge and skills essential to carry out roles and responsibilities as practicing therapists, administrators, researchers, educators, and scholars. The Professional Program (Master of Science degree) prepares students to become experienced in the practice of occupational therapy. The three Post-Professional Programs (Master of Arts, Doctor of Professional Studies [D.P.S.], and Doctor of Philosophy degrees) provide continuing academic preparation for advanced occupational therapy degrees. Just as our Ph.D. program was the first of its kind in the nation, our recently established D.P.S. degree program is the first post-professional clinical doctorate of its kind in the Northeast.

The combined resources of New York City, NYU, the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, and our Department provide an outstanding learning environment for professional and personal growth, as well as unique opportunities for interdisciplinary contacts and shared educational experiences. Within Steinhardt, there are a wide range of courses available to students in research and teaching. The School also has a number of interdisciplinary institutes, centers, and commissions that address issues of health and education.

Department faculty members are collectively responsible for mentoring more than 30 professional and post-professional master’s research studies each year. Additionally, over a dozen doctoral dissertations and portfolios are guided to completion by the faculty. Our faculty publishes regularly and presents at professional meetings and conferences.

As you tour our website, please feel free to send your questions or comments to me at occupational.therapy@nyu.edu. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely

Jane Bear-Lehman, Ph.D., OTR, FAOTA
Associate Professor and Department Chair