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Home to the MOHO Clearinghouse
The internationally acclaimed Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) is the most widely-cited and utilized occupation-focused practice model in the world
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Susan Magasi
Recipient of the 2022 AHS Researcher of the Year Award
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Robust research
The Scholarship of Practice model guides research and scholarship in the UIC Department of Occupational Therapy
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UIC OT Department COTAD Chapter
OT students created a Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) chapter within the UIC Department of Occupational Therapy
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Community Partnerships
We partner with many community organizations in Chicago that support our teaching, research, scholarship and service missions
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Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar
Selected as a 2022-23 University Scholar. This program was created to honor and reward outstanding faculty members at the University of Illinois System.
Creating Tomorrow's Practice
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.
Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
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.
Content Section
Stats and Facts

Occupational Therapy Degrees
Name | Type | Description | Apply |
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Entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate | On Campus | Entry-level OTD degree program for students who have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in another subject and want to become occupational therapists | Apply |
Post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy | On Campus or Online | Post-professional OTD degree program for registered occupational therapists that want to become advanced practitioners, educators, leaders or managers | Apply |
Joint degree programs
We partner with the Department of Disability and Human Development and the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition to offer two interdisciplinary PhD programs.
What makes us great

Our collaboration with UI Health
Our clinicians at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (UI Health) are critical contributors to our success. By sharing their expertise in classroom and lab settings, their participation in our educational programs creates a robust learning community for our students—one that involves close collaboration among faculty, practitioners and community partners.
Recent News
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Occupational therapy students help Glencoe junior high schoolers build therapy toys for children
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
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Mary Khetani was named to the American Occupational Therapy Association’s 2023 Roster of Fellows
Thursday, April 6, 2023
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Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar named a 2022-23 University Scholar
Thursday, June 16, 2022