Occupational therapists are part of a health care team that may also include physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, speech pathologists, and recreational therapists. The goal of occupational therapy is to help each patient reach his or her full potential. Treatment programs are adapted to each person's needs and may include activities related to education, recreation, vocation, or self-care. The specific mission of the occupational therapy program at UW-L is to identify individuals with the academic background, interpersonal skills, and strong interest in rehabilitation with a desire to work with people and practice in rural areas. The academic portion consists primarily of classroom and laboratory experience.
Emphasis is placed on cooperative learning with students of other rehabilitation based professions.
Students learn about function and pathology of humans, that is, daily tasks inherent in each stage of development and concepts basic to occupational therapy to enhance independent living when disease or pathology are present. Clinical experience is pertinent to the program's success in training occupational therapy practitioners. There is emphasis on rural clinical fieldwork sites. This clinical training must be completed within 24 months of completion of the didactic portion of the curriculum. A Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy is awarded upon completion of all curriculum requirements.