Jefferson Occupational Therapy program
ranked 12 th in the Nation by US News and World Report

May 2004 – Philadelphia, PA. The Department of Occupational Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University's Jefferson College of Health Professions (JCHP) ranks number 12 in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report's “America's Best Graduate Schools for 2005.”

“We are thrilled and delighted to have ranked #12 in the nation,” shares Department of Occupational Therapy Chair Janice Burke. “We are the highest ranked Occupational Therapy master's program in the Delaware Valley. This demonstrates the tremendous commitment of our highly talented faculty, the enthusiastic activity of our students and the ongoing support and encouragement from the College administration. We hope that more applicants will look closely at our program and all of the opportunities available to them.”

The JCHP Department of Occupational Therapy (OT) currently offers three degrees in OT, a bachelor's degree (BS), a combined bachelor/master's degree (combined BS/MSOT) and an entry level master's degree. The entry level master's degree (EMOT) is for students who have earned a bachelor's degree in another field and completed additional pre-requisites. In anticipation of the January 2007 national accreditation standard which will require occupational therapists to have a master's degree or above, the bachelor degree will no longer be offered to entering students. Current students who do not want to pursue a master's degree must complete all BS requirements by January ‘07.

JCHP also offers one-year Advanced Masters programs in OT, focusing on research and one of four areas of specialty concentration: community health and participation, older adults, early intervention and school age practice, or sensory integration. These specialty concentrations are also available to combined BS/MSOT degree students and EMOT students.

Collaborations with clinical sites, community organizations and alumni throughout the area are a hallmark of the JCHP Occupational Therapy program, offering students many opportunities to gain hands-on experience conducting research and practicing OT. In the past, students have developed community programs such as fostering violence prevention among at-risk adolescents and helping people who live in homeless shelters to develop life skills.

Jefferson College of Health Professions, founded in 1969 and located in the heart of Philadelphia, provides innovative academic programs to a highly qualified, culturally diverse student population with the primary goal of developing outstanding professionals and future leaders in healthcare. The College offers fully accredited bachelors and master's degree programs in Bioscience Technologies, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Radiologic Sciences, and a doctoral program in Physical Therapy. In addition, JCHP offers selected health certificate programs and associate degrees in the Department of General studies.

Media Contact:

Jane Clinton
Jefferson College of Health Professions
215-503-9865

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