U.S. News & World Report ranked MUSC's Occupational Therapy program No. 15 among the Best Grad Schools in the nation.
As reported by U.S. News & World Report.
*American Occupational Therapy Association
The MUSC Division of Occupational Therapy is among the nation's finest, ranked in the top 10% of occupational therapy programs by U.S. News and World Report. The division offers an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate in two formats, residential and hybrid, as well as a post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PPOTD) for practicing occupational therapists.
Occupational therapists (OT) are motivated and creative problem solvers who like working with people and translating scientific knowledge into everyday practicalities. They are collaborators who bring about desired change and attainment of meaningful goals.
The student-run CARES Therapy Clinic provides a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on, service-learning experience while providing pro-bono occupational therapy services to patients the Charleston area.
Professor
OTD Division and Program Director
843-792-9912 , bendixen@musc.edu
Nancy Carson, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, serves as associate dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs and professor in the Division of Occupational Therapy of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Dr. Carson completed clinical training in occupational therapy at MUSC and received a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health from the University of South Carolina.
As Associate Dean, she works with all programs within the College of Health Professions to ensure compliance with academic policies and procedures, supports faculty processes, and supports faculty development. As an academic educator and professor, she teaches occupational therapy and participates in interprofessional education initiatives. With over 25 years of academic experience, she was named to the Roster of Fellows by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 2016 for her significant contributions to the continuing education and professional development of its members.
Assistant Professor
Doctoral Capstone Director
843-792-0776 , crawfore@musc.edu
Associate Professor
AOTA Emerging and Innovative Practice Award;
MUSC Innovator of the Year
Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
843-876-9010 , hannern@musc.edu
Dr. Scott Hutchison is an occupational therapist and assistant professor in the Residential Occupational Therapy program at the Medical University of South Carolina. He has been an OT since 2006, and much of his clinical career was in Medicare-certified home health and Hospice. The primary role of OTs is to maximize a client’s independence and engagement in life’s meaningful activities and occupations, from basic dressing or feeding to complex baking, working, or caregiving. OT is appropriate for clients in all stages of life. Dr. Hutchison is passionate about extending the services of OT to more clients receiving Palliative Care who may be limited from engagement due to pain, breathlessness, weakness, limited mobility, and cognitive impairments. He is also an OT Doctorate Capstone advisor and mentor to students developing projects in Palliative Care and Oncology Rehabilitation.
Assistant Professor
American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) Intervention Grant Recipient;
CARES Student-Run Free Therapy Clinic Faculty Advisor
Dr. Morrow's overall research goal is to improve the delivery of rehabilitation to maximize patient outcomes and access to care while minimizing barriers including cost. He applies concepts of health economics to rehabilitation to help patients, therapists, and policymakers make objective, data-driven decisions. He is a 2023 American Occupational Therapy Foundation Health Services grant recipient for his project "Access to Tele-rehabilitation for Rural and Socially Disadvantaged Stroke Survivors during COVID-19". Dr. Morrow was also a 2022 Learning Health Systems Scholar when he was partnered with the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Assistive Technology.
Assistant Professor
843-792-2258 , mulrenbc@musc.edu
Professor
843-792-0084 , seon@musc.edu
Associate Professor
Director of Admissions
AOTA Board Director 2020-2023;
Journal of OT Education Editorial Board
Professor
Director, Post-Professional OTD Program, FAOTA
Inquiries: woodbuml@musc.edu , 843-792-1671
Jesse Ausec, OTD, MS, OTR/L, SIPT
Assistant Professor
Student Affairs Coordinator
843-619-2091
ausec@musc.edu
Regan Blankenship DHS, MS, OTR/L
Assistant Professor
843-619-2085
blankenr@musc.edu
Associate Professor
Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
843-897-1847 , armsteaa@musc.edu
Associate Professor
OTD Hybrid Director
854-204-9205 , kirchen@musc.edu
Assistant Professor and Admissions Co-Coordinator
843-792-9823 , bodiez@musc.edu
B.S. Duquesne University 2022
M.S. Columbia University 2024
Assistant Professor
Doctoral Capstone Director
843-867-2044 , ghulmi@musc.edu
Professor
843-310-0959 , rogesand@musc.edu
Assistant Professor
Admissions Coordinator
854-204-9412 , scanlone@musc.edu
Additional College Faculty
Associate Professor, Dept. of Rehabilitation Sciences, MUSC
Area of Expertise: Board certified in orthopedics
Role in AFN: Human Anatomy Dissection Faculty
Assistant Professor,
Division of Physical Therapy
843-792-6473 , seamon@musc.edu
Jenna Gillis, MS
Hybrid Manager
843-974-1116
gillis@musc.edu
Dana Rauchmiller
Administrative Coordinator (OT Hybrid)
Clinical Education
rauchmil@musc.edu
Administrative Assistant
843-792-4827 , mcelroyk@musc.edu
Student Services Program Coordinator
tuckeama@musc.edu
843-792-4570
Student Services Coordinator
Programs Supported:
Doctor of Physical Therapy Hybrid (DPTh)
Occupational Therapy Doctorate Hybrid (OTDh)
guthrieb@musc.edu
Administrative Coordinator (OT)
Clinical Education
843-792-6864 , carbonje@musc.edu
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301)652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
The MUSC Hybrid OTD Program received ACOTE approval to offer a hybrid format in September 2024.
NBC OT new logoGraduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). NBCOT Exam Data is available for ELOTD classes through 2023. Passing the NBCOT Certification Examination is necessary, but each state may have additional requirements for state licensure. You can find information about state licensure here. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
View MUSC Occupational Therapy Doctorate program outcomes.
OTD Residential Estimated Cost of Attendance - 8 semester