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Occupational Therapy students attend a class lecture

Mission Statement

Occupational Therapy

The Department of Occupational Therapy in New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development is committed to the development of outstanding, ethical practitioners, leaders, scholars, and researchers in the field of occupational therapy who are prepared to respond to society's ever-changing needs.

We do this by creating a community of scholars, researchers, teachers, and students devoted to the advancement and transmission of knowledge, and to the application of research to practice. The Department offers curricula that balance academic, scholarly, and practical experience through clinical placements and collaborative research. Graduates are prepared to work in a variety of environments, such as schools, homes, hospitals, and other community settings.

At the Department of Occupational Therapy, we embrace the values and goals of the University and the Steinhardt School as an integral part of this private common enterprise university. The Department is located in the heart of Manhattan's Greenwich Village, an urban center of diverse populations, and is positioned to serve the educational and health-related needs of communities in the Tri-state area.

Our faculty members promote non-discrimination and inclusion in every aspect of their relationships with other faculty, staff, students, and others without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, culture, ethnicity, color, religion or other beliefs, national origin, age, or disability.

The Department builds on its tradition of academic excellence, rigorous programs, and contributions to the profession's body of knowledge by meeting the following goals:

  1. Offering programs that meet professional standards, address societal needs, and respond to our graduates and the community;
  2. Promoting diversity and equality;
  3. Conducting research that is relevant to occupational therapy;
  4. Enhancing educational programs by translating research into educational experiences;
  5. Strengthening the quality of occupational therapy services through collaborative research and strong community relationships;
  6. Modeling exemplary professional behavior through active involvement in University, School, and professional organizations;
  7. Addressing academic and practical experiences in all programs; and
  8. Adapting and creating programs to meet current and anticipated needs of students and society.