University of the Pacific Occupational Therapy (OTD)

  Photo by My Networking Apparel on Unsplash When people think of occupational therapy, they often picture a hospital, clinic, or school-based setting. While these are valuable and important spaces where OTs thrive, they are only part of the picture. The field of occupational therapy continues to grow and evolve. Careers that once seemed unconventional are now front and center, and our students and faculty at University of the Pacific are leading that change. We want our students to see OT not just as a profession, but as a platform. A platform to build new paths, respond to community needs, and create careers that align with both passion and purpose. Our graduates are proof that an OT degree can take you in many directions. Some have stepped into the world of education, supporting student access, curriculum design, and inclusive teaching practices. Others have taken their training into the tech industry, where they are helping to build apps, develop wearable devices, and consult ...

Photo by cottonbro studio There’s a distinct moment in every profession when the tides begin to shift. What we’ve always done no longer feels quite enough, and what’s coming next starts to take shape just on the horizon. That moment is now, especially in healthcare education. Artificial Intelligence is the wave. At University of the Pacific OT , we want students to be curious, creative, and prepared. We want them to not only keep up with the future of healthcare but help lead it. That’s why we’ve leaned into AI, not as a replacement for connection, but as a tool to deepen learning and amplify human-centered care. AI is a tool, and not a replacement for building clinical knowledge. OT students need to learn how to use AI, but more importantly, they need to be able to state why it matters clinically. It's not enough to use technology. They must be able to tie it back to outcomes, performance, and the people they serve. What if students could walk through a body system in 3D, seein...