Message from the Chair

The Occupational Therapy program is housed at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), a public institution. UTRGV is a Higher Education Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) committed to serving the educational and health needs of the rapidly growing transnational, culturally diverse population of South Texas. Located in the rural area of the Rio Grande Valley along the U.S.-Mexico border in the State of Texas, this multi-campus institution serves more than 32,000 students. The Rio Grande Valley is a rural area located at the southernmost tip of Texas. 

With the aspiration to promote and increase diversity in the occupational therapy profession, the UTRGV Occupational Therapy program is poised to assist in enrolling and graduating underrepresented minority students at the doctoral level. The entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program is in the College of Health Professions, which houses one doctoral program, six master's programs, and three certificate programs. The OTD program is located in Edinburg . 

The Occupational Therapy program began in 1996 in the Rio Grande Valley as a Cooperative Program in Occupational Therapy with the University of Texas Health Science Center – San Antonio at the legacy institution - University of Texas-Pan American. It quickly developed into its own baccalaureate program (2000) and master’s program (2006). In Fall 2015, the legacy UTPA institution changed its name to  The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). In 2020 the faculty began the process of transitioning the program to an entry-level occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) program. 

The UTRGV Occupational Therapy program provides an opportunity to acquire entry-level knowledge and professional skills, build critical thinking skills, and develop clinical research skills in a health profession based on occupational performance. The curriculum is designed to expose students to the influence and impact of occupation, culture, systems, disabilities, and leadership on providing occupational therapy services and reducing health disparities. 

Graduates of the Program will guide individuals in understanding how their ability to perform daily activities affects their capacity to participate in their home, school, work, and community life. Guided by the values and ethics of the profession, graduates will be able to effectively evaluate and provide intervention for clients' occupational needs, problems, and concerns. Our graduates are known for their excellence in clinical practice. 

Our faculty actively engage in innovative occupational therapy education, research, and service. As a College of Health Professions program, occupational therapy students and faculty are involved in interprofessional collaborations and enjoy all the benefits of studying and working within an academic healthcare community. Faculty and students engage in and promote scholarly inquiry and service in support of the health and wellness of the Rio Grande Valley. We are active partners in the University and the local community, and state and national professional organizations. 

We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our educational program, research and scholarly accomplishments, our students, alumni, and more. We look forward to helping all our students make a difference in meeting the needs of persons experiencing disablement, advancing the profession of occupational therapy, and developing the skills and experiences needed to drive the future of our field. 

Join us in transforming the Rio Grande Valley and Beyond! 

Shirley A. Wells, DrPH, OTR, FAOTA

Chair and Professor