Department of Occupational Therapy

What is Occupational Therapy? 

"Occupational therapy enables people of all ages to participate in daily living. Occupational therapy intervention uses everyday life activities (occupations) to promote health, well-being, and your ability to participate in the important activities in your life."*

*American Occupational Therapy Association. (2023). What is occupational therapy. https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot

Commitment to Vision 2030 and Inclusive Excellence

The Department of Occupational Therapy at Kean University affirms its commitment to AOTA’s Vision 2030, which positions occupational therapy as a science-driven and evidence-based profession that is inclusive, equitable, and responsive to societal needs.

In alignment with Kean University’s core values—academic excellence, equity, inclusivity, wellness, social mobility, and public impact—we strive to cultivate learning environments that reflect the diversity of our communities and empower students to thrive through public impact. Our work supports the University's strategic vision to elevate innovation, collaboration, and global engagement across disciplines.

As educators and practitioners, we continuously evaluate our efforts to ensure they contribute meaningfully to the advancement of occupational therapy and prepare students to meet the evolving challenges of a diverse and interconnected world, championing occupational justice.

References

• American Occupational Therapy Association. (2025). Vision 2030. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79(4). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2025.794010
• Kean University. (2025). Mission Statement and Core Values. www.kean.edu
• Kean University. (2025). Elevate 2030 Strategic Plan. www.kean.edu

Latest News and Announcements for Prospective Students 

The information below is a guide for questions that may be asked regarding the academic program due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19. Please check back frequently as information will be updated frequently.
 

Observation Requirements:

Observation hours are no longer required.

Application Status:

Kean OTCAS Applications will open on August 1st. Once you have completed the OTCAS application, please be advised that you must also complete the Kean Supplemental Application. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the status of your application, please contact Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@kean.edu or (908) 737-4723. Any additional questions regarding the Kean Occupational Therapy Department, please contact us at ot@kean.edu.

Prerequisite Status: 

As many universities, including Kean, are switching to a pass/fail option, please be aware that the Occupational Therapy department has changed its policy for the Spring 2020 and subsequent semesters. We will accept Pass/Fail options for the classes taken during this time. We will also be accepting Anatomy and Physiology I & II as an online format for the Spring 2020 to Spring 2022 semesters. Please be sure to check this page frequently for any updates regarding this new policy. In order to view the application requirements for the Kean University Occupational Therapy program please click here for the MS program and here for the OTD program. 
 

Graduate Open House:

Please click here for current information regarding our Graduate Open Houses.
 

Status of Accreditation:

Kean University received the highest accreditation possible for the Master of Occupational Therapy program. The current accreditation will last 10 years and will be due for re-accreditation in 2033.

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.

Accreditation and Credentials:

The Occupational Therapy Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Correspondence should be directed to: ACOTE, c/o Accreditation Department, American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. Their phone number is (301) 652-AOTA. Website: www.acoteonline.org.

Faculty:

Victor Camacho, OTD, OTR/L, Ac., Associate Professor 

Zahava Friedman, Ph.D., OT, BCBA, Assistant Professor 

Jennifer Gardner, MS, OTD, OTR/L, Associate Professor

Laurie Knis, Ph.D., OT  Professor 

Claire Mulry, OTD, OTR/L, CAPS, FAOTA, Professor

Alissa Pacheco, PhD, OTR/L Assistant Professor

Amanda Sarafian, Ed.D., OTR/L Assistant Professor