Occupational Therapy Education at the MGH Institute of Health Professions

At the MGH Institute of Health Professions, occupational therapy education is conducted in an interprofessional graduate academic setting where innovative educational methods and contemporary technology are incorporated within an environment that encourages integrity, creativity, independent thinking, intellectual curiosity, collaboration, respect, and self-reflection.

Occupational therapy education is grounded in the belief that humans are complex beings and that through active engagement with their environments, humans evolve, change, and adapt. Occupational therapy education is a dynamic process, within which students and faculty share responsibility for the teaching- learning interaction that fosters a commitment to lifelong learning. This dynamic is facilitated by faculty leaders, master clinicians, scholars, and researchers who are major contributors to professional and academic communities.

At the MGH Institute, active learning is a primary vehicle for educating students. The Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy curriculum provides early and consistent exposure to clients using the large and diverse practice community of metropolitan Boston, on-site clinics, and simulated learning experiences. We believe interprofessional collaborative practice is essential to high quality, client-centered care. We value a connected, engaged, and diverse learning community where students develop a passion for lifelong learning and become graduates of choice for employers.  As the first occupational therapy program in Boston to educate students at the doctoral level for entry into practice, we are committed to the growth and development of scholarly clinicians who will lead in today’s ever-changing care delivery system and advance the practice and science of the profession of occupational therapy. We believe that OTD education at the entry-level is in keeping with the future of health professions education and that it aligns with AOTA’s vision 2025 which states “as an inclusive profession, occupational therapy maximizes health, well-being, and quality of life for all people, populations, and communities through effective solutions that facilitate participation in everyday living.”