Occupational Therapy

DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness

This state-of-the-art 30,0000-square foot education and research center is actively fulfilling its mission as a clinical training area for students as well as reaching out to underserved rural populations.

Take a look inside DiSepio

Welcome to the OT Department

The Department of Occupational Therapy and the Master of Occupational Therapy Degree Program were established to assist Saint Francis University in fulfilling its stated mission:  

A Mind for Excellence

Saint Francis University offers higher education in an environment guided by Catholic values and teachings, and inspired by the example of our patron, Saint Francis of Assisi. The oldest Franciscan institution of higher learning in the United States, Saint Francis University is an inclusive learning community that welcomes all people.

A Spirit for Peace and Justice

University programs and activities foster such Franciscan values as a humble and generous attitude toward learning, respect for diversity and the uniqueness of individual persons, understanding of ethical issues, and reverence for all life. With a spirit of simplicity and joy, we provide opportunities for the University community to think critically and analytically, communicate effectively, and integrate theory and practice.

A Heart for Service

Saint Francis University offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts tradition, graduate and professional programs of study that emphasize personal and professional ethics, and continuing education opportunities for personal and career enhancement. We seek to inspire in all members of the University community a love of lifelong learning and a commitment to share their gifts and skills generously with others in a rapidly changing world.

To this end, occupational therapy education at Saint Francis University will:

• Prepare students for practice as competent and ethical occupational therapists for service to underserved regions of Pennsylvania and beyond.
• Prepare students who are active in furthering the growth and development of the profession of occupational therapy through systematic inquiry, community awareness and action, and professional organization involvement.
• Prepare students who demonstrate commitment to their own personal and professional growth and development through the quest for knowledge and critical self reflection and analysis.

Program Highlights

• A combined degree curriculum that includes pre-professional and professional phases.
• An advisory board of outstanding regional, professional and academic leaders.
• Research opportunities tightly integrated with the professional curriculum.
• A multidisciplinary approach that uncovers the relationship between occupational therapy and society through courses in philosophy, history, sociology and political science.
• An automatic minor in psychology.
• Opportunities to design dual undergraduate majors and/or tailor additional minors to your areas of interest.

The Master of Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE's telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org