Elizabethtown College’s renowned Occupational Therapy program has earned national recognition by being named to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate Schools list, ranking 98th (tie) out of 289 programs across the country and eighth (tie) in Pennsylvania.
“This distinguished ranking reflects the strength of the Elizabethtown College Occupational Therapy program’s 50-year legacy, the dedication of our exceptional faculty, and the meaningful partnerships we have built with our students and clinical community partners,” Elizabethtown College Dean of the School of Sciences and Health Alan Utter said. “Our distinctive OT pathways and holistic approach to education continue to prepare graduates who are highly skilled, compassionate, and ready to meet the evolving needs of the profession.”
Receiving accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy in the 1975-76 academic year, making it the second-oldest OT program in Pennsylvania, Etown is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout the 2025-26 academic year.
The storied program includes courses taught by faculty with a wealth of real-world experience, including specialty clinical practice across all ages and in various settings.
To determine a program’s spot 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.
Elizabethtown College offers multiple pathways for students pursuing careers in Occupational Therapy. Students can begin and complete their education at Etown, earning a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and either a five-year, entry-level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) or a six-year entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate.
The College recently expanded its offering with a Post-Baccalaureate Occupational Therapy Doctorate for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, including Etown, and who meet admission requirements. This program can be completed in as few as three years of full-time study, including a final year of off-campus fieldwork and capstone experiences.
In addition, Etown offers an online Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PP-OTD) through its School of Graduate and Professional Studies. The program is designed for licensed occupational therapists seeking to earn a doctorate and allows candidates to design their own degree, selecting from two of eight concentrations across a variety of in-demand disciplines.
Occupational Therapy promotes health, well-being, and participation in daily life. Occupational therapists focus on the activities people want and need to do, using everyday tasks to support engagement in meaningful roles such as self-care, family responsibilities, work, school, and volunteering. They practice in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, community agencies, extended-care facilities, hospice, and other human service organizations. Discover more.