The Occupational Therapy program at ̽̽ College of Nursing and Health Sciences has earned national accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), the independent agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation for occupational therapy education.
“CNHS is proud to deliver the first accredited Occupational Therapy program in the State of Vermont,” said College of Nursing and Health Sciences Dean Noma Anderson. “This achievement underscores our commitment to serving the needs of our community and the State.”
̽̽’s three-year, eight semester Occupational Therapy program was started in 2022 to meet the high demand for OT services in the state. Graduates will be trained to help people of all ages, from children to seniors, and will work in a variety of settings including hospitals, in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation, community-based programs, and schools.
"The reception of a seven-year accreditation, the maximum term allowed for a new OT program, speaks highly of the curriculum, facilities, and resources ̽̽ has to offer,” said Rehabilitation and Movement Science Department Chair Boyi Dai. “We greatly appreciate the tremendous time and effort many people, particularly the OT faculty, have dedicated over the last several years to this rigorous and multiple-step process. The department looks forward to building on this strong momentum and continuing to expand the OT program in teaching, research, and service to serve more students, Vermonters, and everyone in society."
Recognized as the quality standard of education and training, accreditation signals to future employers that alumni of ̽̽’s program are equipped to be successful in the field. Graduates of an ACOTE-accredited program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states.
“What excites me the most about the program here at ̽̽ is the link we have created between basic science, experiential learning, and community-based learning,” said Program Director Victoria Priganc. “We have our students out in the community for a significant portion of their coursework where they apply what they are learning in the classroom to real-life scenarios. They are not sitting in the traditional classroom; they are really out doing.”
In addition to fieldwork experiences with community partners, students gain practice in the program’s newly opened lab facilities, which include a custom designed smart apartment with accessible technologies and home modifications to enhance independent living, and a pediatric lab with equipment to help children develop essential motor and social skills. The lab also serves as a design hub for students to create innovative adaptive devices.
One of the fastest growing fields in the U.S., occupational therapy is founded on the belief that all individuals have the right to engage in life at their desired capacity regardless of varying levels of ability.
“People tend to go into the OT field because they have a creative side and knack for problem-solving,” said Priganc. “OTs believe that people, no matter what their level of ability, can engage in society if we give them the tools and help them to adapt.”
The program recently hosted an exclusive community showcase of its new Living and Learning Lab and Smart Apartment, which highlighted low-tech and high-tech devices for safer and easier independent living at home, including voice-activated controls for lights and appliances and adaptive tools to help with bathing, eating, cooking, and other daily activities. Attendees explored innovations in convenience, comfort, and modern technology while getting expert advice on how smart features can make their lives easier and more efficient.
̽̽'s Occupational Therapy program is open to regular applicants and offers early admission to ̽̽ students. There's also a 3+3 option for ̽̽ students majoring in Public Health Sciences, which allows them to finish their degree in six years.
Potential applicants who need prerequisite science courses can complete them through , which guarantees an interview to program applicants.
Applications for Fall 2025 are due April 30 and there’s still time to apply. Contact Program Director Victoria Priganc at victoria.priganc@med.uvm.edu for more information.