Occupational Therapy students engage with the community

Experiential learning opportunities for students at NAU

At the core of occupational therapy is a strong desire to make a difference in peoples’ lives. To gain a deeper understanding of what the needs are within the community, OT students at Northern Arizona University are provided with opportunities to take their learning outside the classroom. Beginning the first semester of the program, students are placed at sites within the community to learn more about the need for OT services while also being engaged in service-learning activities.

Making a difference. Having an impact.

Routinely throughout the first two years of their program, students in NAU’s OT program make approximately 40 visits to community sites including foster care group homes, substance use disorder treatment centers, after-school programs, and behavioral health clinics.

Based on feedback from both current students and graduates, this hands-on involvement within the community is just one of the many strengths of the OT program at NAU.