51ÁÔÆæ

Our Mission

Our mission in the 51ÁÔÆæ entry-level MSOT degree program is to cultivate evidence-based occupational therapy practitioners who grow as innovators, scholars, and lifelong learners to promote health and occupational freedom. We strive to remove barriers to learning by embracing best practices in education which include fostering relationships, building community, engaging through caring and connection, and providing hands-on learning experiences. Together, we seek to awaken the inner spirit, curiosity, and love of learning that resides within all people, recognizing it as central to human flourishing, health promotion, and the heart of occupational therapy.

Our Vision

As a premier urban research university, we put forth practitioners and scholars who promote participation through innovation. 

Our Values

In the spirit of Wisconsin’s commitment to public connectivity and accessibility along the expansive and contiguous Lake Michigan shoreline, the 51ÁÔÆæ OT program has declared our core values as community, growth & excellence, human-centered, empathy & compassion, and innovation. 

• Communities– We define communities as groups of people who share a common place, culture, or interest and stay connected through participation in meaningful occupations, social engagement, and mutually supportive relationships.  
• ³Ò°ù´Ç·É³Ù³óÌý&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°Õ³ó°ù¾±±¹¾±²Ô²µÂ â€“ We promote becoming your best self through responsibility and accountability.  We believe that reasoning, reflection, and a commitment to academic excellence leads to positive transformation
• Person-Centered – We define person‑centered as focusing on people first by honoring their dignity, recognizing their strengths, and supporting their engagement in meaningful occupations. We view individuals holistically—considering their physical, emotional, social, and cultural well‑being—and ground our approach in humanity and hope. 
• ·¡³¾±è²¹³Ù³ó²âÌý&²¹³¾±è;Ìý°ä´Ç³¾±è²¹²õ²õ¾±´Ç²Ô – We use empathy to build genuine emotional connection by understanding the lived experiences of others. We show compassion by offering support and creating a sense of safety through caring actions. Together, empathy and compassion form the foundation of person‑centered care.  occupational therapists encounter—clients, colleagues, and the public. 
• Innovation – We practice innovation by creating new and better ideas through curiosity, which helps us explore possibilities; ingenuity, which guides us in designing creative solutions; and evidence and scholarship, which ensure that our ideas are effective. Through innovation, we transform the way we learn, solve problems, and make a meaningful impact on the world.