Our Mission

The mission of the Entry-Level Army-Baylor Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program is to produce active duty, commissioned occupational therapists who are clinician scientists and leaders prepared for worldwide military, VA, and Civilian health system practice. 

The program focuses on academic and clinical excellence to prepare the students for public servant service with entry-level knowledge, skills, clinical reasoning abilities, duties, responsibilities, and ethics to deliver high quality occupational therapy services based on scientific research.

This mission is consistent with that of Baylor University, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, and the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE) and describes the unique role of the program in preparing graduates to be responsible military citizens, educated leaders, dedicated scholars and skilled professionals who meet the workforce and healthcare needs of the U.S. Army. 

Philosophy of the Army-Baylor Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program

Our Core Belief

We believe that engagement in meaningful occupation is fundamental to human health, well-being, and identity. The primary mission of occupational therapy is to empower individuals across the lifespan to participate fully in their life roles, especially when facing injury, illness, or challenging life transitions. Within the unique context of the Uniformed Services, this mission takes on profound importance, supporting the readiness and resilience of the nation's service members and their families. Our program is built on the conviction that occupational therapists are essential leaders in promoting health, preventing disability, and facilitating optimal performance through the therapeutic power of occupation.

Our Learners and Future Leaders

We select candidates who demonstrate exceptional maturity, intellectual curiosity, and a deep-seated commitment to service. Our students are not passive recipients of information but active partners in their own education. They are chosen for their resilience, adaptability, and potential to become clinical scholars and leaders within a military healthcare system. We foster an environment that challenges them to integrate scientific knowledge, clinical reasoning, and a client-centered ethos, preparing them to meet the complex occupational needs of a diverse population in any operational environment.

Our Educational Approach

Our philosophy is grounded in a transformative, experiential, and adult learning models where theory and practice are seamlessly integrated. The faculty, as expert clinicians, scholars, and mentors, guide students to move beyond rote memorization to a place of deep synthesis and critical inquiry. We champion an evidence-based approach, where academic learning in the classroom is continuously applied and refined through hands-on labs, clinical experiences, and an emphasis on values and social responsibility. We recognize that learning is a dynamic and collaborative journey. Therefore, we are dedicated to creating a supportive, non-threatening environment that honors the individual learner while upholding the rigorous standards demanded by doctoral education and military service.

Our Commitment to the Profession and the Nation

The Army-Baylor OTD program is a crucible where academic excellence, professional identity, and Army values are forged. We are committed to graduating practitioners who are not only clinically competent but also culturally aware, ethically grounded, and ready to lead from day one. Our graduates are prepared to be innovators, advocates, and vital contributors to the health and readiness of the force, embodying the highest ideals of both the occupational therapy profession and the United States Army.