Events

Save The Date

2024 MLS & OT Departments Commencement 

Date: Friday, September 6, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Northrop Memorial Auditorium, Carlson Family Stage, 84 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
 

More information about the event will be updated next year!

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Location:
ot recognition event

Great Hall, Coffman Memorial Union
300 Washington Avenue, SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Parking

East River Road Garage
385 East River Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55455

-OR-

Weisman Art Museum Garage
333 East River Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Does the OT Program have any special events such as a white coat ceremony?

ot students in white

In addition to a formal commencement program every fall, each spring the program  hosts a Student Recognition Event. 

  • First year students are recognized for their acceptance into the program and successful completion of their first semesters of didactic coursework.
  •  Second year students are recognized for having  completed their didactic education and progressing to the Clinical Fieldwork Phase of the curriculum
  • Third year students are recognized for completing Level 2 Fieldwork and moving into their final Capstone Phase. 
ot students in great hall

The University of  Minnesota OT Program does not  support a traditional white coat ceremony. Historically, the white coat has been a symbol of medicine for physicians and while some health science programs have adopted the tradition of presenting students a white lab coat when admitted to the program or when transitioning from the classroom to clinical fieldwork, others have purposefully chosen alternative symbols to  represent their specific profession.    

While occupational therapy has a strong foundation in a medical model of practice, the profession is rooted in mental health and our distinct value is our use of occupation to enhance participation life roles and activities in their natural contexts. The white lab coat does not represent the breadth of occupational therapy.  Occupational therapists work in schools, homes, homeless shelters, industry, universities, and community agencies in addition to the full continuum of medical facilities. We believe the white lab coat is a symbol that limits the full scope of our profession, can be a barrier between therapist and client, and does not fully represent our curricular model and program values, especially related to community engagement and social justice.