Mission Statement for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
“The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at the University of Southern Indiana is dedicated to providing exceptional education within an engaged learning community. We prepare our students to be compassionate and skilled professionals who can navigate and contribute to diverse and dynamic healthcare environments. By fostering critical thinking, cultural competence, and a commitment to lifelong learning, we empower our graduates to lead and make meaningful, positive contributions to their communities and the global society.”
The mission of the USI OTA program will be fulfilled by meeting the following objectives:
- Provide knowledge and skills necessary for an entry-level occupational therapy assistant generalist
- Through a variety of learning activities provide educational experiences necessary to meet societal needs for service provision.
- Promote the education of culturally competent practitioners
- Promote professional development in occupational therapy assistant faculty and occupational therapy practitioners that leads to the value of lifelong learning
- Promote excellence in occupational therapy education, scholarship, and service through leadership, collaboration, consultation, and partnerships with service providers.
- Provide support to the community through advocacy for the profession and client population, service activities, organizational involvement, and political action.
- Institute a caring environment in which occupational therapy assistant students, faculty, and community service providers work together to optimize their personal and professional development.
Vision Statement
“Empower students with the knowledge, skills, and empathetic understanding essential for excellence in diverse occupational therapy settings, fostering innovation in client-centered care, and making a meaningful impact on individuals and communities through transformative therapeutic practices.”
The University of Southern Indiana, the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program promotes academic and professional excellence by preparing students to become credentialed occupational therapy practitioners at the entry level. At the time of their graduation the student will have acquired an education founded in liberal arts and sciences and has been exposed to a variety of service models and systems that are commonly used in the current occupational therapy service delivery. The student will have an understanding of the importance of diversity in the delivery of interventions to assigned populations. The student will be articulate in adherence to ethical standards, values and attitudes of occupational therapy practice. The student will verbalize and demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of occupational therapists as they relate to occupational therapy assistants. The student will value the role of a lifelong learner and the importance of remaining current in the practice of occupational therapy. Faculty demonstrate leadership in occupational therapy education, scholarship, and service by sharing their expertise through innovative teaching strategies, presentations, publications, creative works, service provision, collaboration, consultation, and political action to enrich the occupational therapy profession. The faculty of the University of Southern Indiana abides by the current code of ethics of the profession of occupational therapy.