Elizabethtown College’s renowned Occupational Therapy program has earned a place on the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Graduate Schools list, ranking 79th (tie) out of 193 programs across the country and sixth (tie) in Pennsylvania.

“Elizabethtown College Occupational Therapy is pleased to be recognized for the wonderful work we perform at the College,” Elizabethtown College Dean of the School of Human & Health Professions, Tamera Humbert said. “The relationships built, the community support, involvement with internships and scholarship, and the dedication to advancing the profession are all incredibly meaningful to our program and have contributed to this success.” 

To determine a program’s inclusion on the list, U.S. News & World Report compiled rankings based on surveys of academic leaders at peer institutions. Respondents rated peer programs on a 1-5 scale of academic quality, and rankings were determined by the average of ratings each program received. 

Through Etown’s distinctive and distinguished Occupational Therapy program, students are afforded the opportunity to start and finish their educational journey at Etown by graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and earning a five-year, entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree or a six-year, entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) from the College. 

“As a small, private College with a tight-knit community, this commendable ranking alongside much larger institutions underscores the high-impact, transformative experiences our program provides to students,” Humbert said.

Unlike many peer institutions, Etown offers a combined undergraduate/graduate academic program in Occupational Therapy that does not require students to reapply for either graduate degree program. Over 95% of seniors enroll in and complete the master’s degree at Etown, and 98% of students pass their certification exams in their first year.

Occupational Therapy is a profession that helps to improve the well-being and functions of people with developmental delay and physical and psychological challenges. Etown’s program is the second oldest accredited program in Pennsylvania and blends a liberal arts education with professional studies, with courses taught by faculty with a wealth of real-world, specialty clinical practice across all ages and in various settings. Discover more.