About

Investing in the Future of Occupational Therapy

The Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science seeks to be a national leader in the development of occupational therapy practitioners and occupational scientists who improve the health and occupational lives of individuals, communities and populations.

Fostering Innovation and Inclusivity

The Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science cultivates competent, ethical and empathic occupational therapists and occupational scientists who are leaders, scholars and advocates. This is achieved through innovative teaching, active learning experiences and dynamic community partnerships.

The Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science at Towson University is committed to creating a space for diversity to thrive inside our department, within our profession and throughout societal systems in which occupational therapists work. We value and are strengthened by diverse abilities, cultures, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, national origins, ages, religious backgrounds, socio-economic statuses and belief systems.

We acknowledge that systemic barriers present in our society have and will continue to limit occupational engagement for populations who have been marginalized. To actively combat these injustices, we are dedicated to fostering conditions in which all people have access to meaningful participation and experience belonging.

• Read More about Our Vision and Commitment to Actions

A Legacy of Excellence

For more than 35 years, Towson University has been graduating successful candidates to become certified occupational therapists. Our graduates are employed in a variety of settings in direct services, consultation, program development, education, research, health policy and health care administration.

Baltimore is a place of historical significance for the origins of the profession. Students are able to obtain clinical experiences in these historical sites: John Hopkins Hospital (former home of Eleanor Clark Slagle, one of the founders of the profession) and Sheppard Enoch Pratt Hospital (workplace of William Rush Dunton, another founder of the profession).

The Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science is equipped with modern classrooms, learning laboratories and a resource center, which includes research software.

Students also have the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge through the College of Health Professions Institute for Well-Being (I.W.B.) at 7400 York Road in Towson. The Occupational Therapy Center in the I.W.B. opened in September of 2012. The Center provides services for community members to enhance their independence and quality of life. It offers programs that extend services beyond those found in a traditional medical system.

Programmatic Milestones

1974 — Occupational Therapy Department opened (BS OT)
1982 — Post-Professional MS Program initiated
1990 — Professional Master's Program initiated
2000 — Doctoral Program in Occupational Science (ScD) launched
2001 — Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Program initiated
2018 — Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate launched
2019 — Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate initiated
2023 — ScD Program transitioned to PhD in Occupational Science