Since 1943, the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago has been integrating research, education and clinical practice in service to one vision: Creating Tomorrow’s Practice.

We’re shaping the profession through our engagement in our Scholarship of Practice model which emphasizes a strong, reciprocal relationship between practice, evidence and community stakeholders; our commitment to excellent education for the leaders and practitioners of tomorrow; our service in leading the profession; our connection with disability studies and partnering with people with disabilities in our scholarship and research; our engagement in international initiatives; and our community partnerships through which we enhance the lives of people with disabilities and chronic health conditions.

We enact our mission in the context of an urban research university that embraces diversity, social justice and community engagement. Our faculty, students and alumni are innovative professionals who transform the health and quality of life of individuals from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds and global communities.

We are strongly committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and social and racial justice. Our holistic admissions process, curriculum focus, disability studies perspective and committed faculty create opportunities for learning that prepare our students to work with diverse populations with cultural humility and sensitivity.

We partner with the Department of Disability and Human Development and the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition to offer two interdisciplinary PhD programs.