Occupational Therapy Department

Mission

A.T. Still University of Health Sciences serves as a learning-centered university dedicated to preparing highly competent professionals through innovative academic programs. The University is committed to continuing its osteopathic heritage and focus on whole person healthcare, scholarship, community health, interprofessional education, diversity, and underserved populations.

See our mission & vision

Occupational therapists play a vital role in helping individuals across the lifespan engage in meaningful activities, achieve independence, and improve their quality of life. The Department of Occupational Therapy at A.T. Still University (ATSU) established in 1995 as a leading OT program in Arizona, prepares highly competent professionals in the art and science of occupational therapy, with an emphasis on whole person care, client-centered practice, and service to underserved populations. ATSU-ASHS offers two entry-level degree programs: the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT). Students have the unique opportunity to apply to transfer from the MSOT program to the OTD program at the end of their first year. ATSU is the only occupational therapy department in Arizona that offers both entry level programs.

Both programs equip students with the foundational knowledge, clinical skills, and leadership abilities needed to excel in diverse practice settings. The curriculum for both programs integrates specialized coursework with hands-on learning experiences. Students are trained in evidence-based, occupation-focused practice and are encouraged to explore innovative approaches to care, advocacy, and program development.

ATSU’s OT programs emphasize experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a focus on social determinants of health, ensuring that graduates are prepared to meet the evolving needs of individuals and communities. Faculty provide mentorship and guidance, helping students develop the professional behaviors and attitudes necessary for successful careers in occupational therapy.

Residential degree programs

Doctor of Occupational Therapy – Entry-Level program

A.T. Still University's Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is a full-time, residential program that includes 30 months in class/fieldwork and 36 months in length including breaks. This 36-month program includes in-class and fieldwork experiences, focusing on leadership, advocacy, and program development. Students are trained to work with individuals, groups, and populations, while considering the social determinants of health and applying a whole-person approach to clinical practice. Graduates are eligible for the NBCOT exam and, upon passing, can apply for state licensure as occupational therapists.

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Master of Science in Occupational Therapy – Entry-Level program

A.T. Still University’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program is a full-time, residential course of study spanning 22 months, excluding breaks. The program provides a strong foundation in clinical practice and holistic healthcare, preparing graduates to work with individuals in diverse settings. Focused on client-centered, evidence-based practice, the MSOT program emphasizes health equity, diversity, and community care. It also integrates technology in both instruction and treatment, equipping students to meet the needs of individuals from varied cultural backgrounds.

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Occupational therapy scholarly showcase

The faculty and students in the Department of Occupational Therapy engage in a variety of scholarly activities that go beyond traditional research. These activities include community-based projects and real-world applications that contribute to the advancement of the field and the well-being of underserved populations.

Center for Occupational and Physical Therapy

Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) project

Publications

Nash, J., Dahl-Popolizio, S., Maniccia, D. M., & Collette, D. (in press). Receptiveness of Primary Care Providers and Occupational Therapists to Occupational Therapy in Primary Care: An Update. Open Journal of Occupational Therapy.

Bellum, D., Glenn, A., Bay, C., Dahl-Popolizio, S., Wolf, R.L. (in press) Evaluation of an occupational therapy intervention in prisons to prepare incarcerated individuals for successful community reentry, Open Journal of Occupational Therapy.

Story, A., Dahl-Popolizio, S., Delbridge, M., & Fullwider, B., (2024). An introduction to, and evaluation of, the pet principle: An innovative teaching model. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education.

Wolf, R. L., Skobic, I., Pope, B. T., Zhu, A., Chamas, H., Sharma, N., Larsen, K., Bright, H. & Haynes, P. L. (2025). Mother–Infant Bed-sharing Is Associated with Increased Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review. Breastfeeding Medicine.

Wood, N. & Glenn, A. (2024). Kinesiology tape application for postoperative edema: A pilot study. Journal of Rehabilitation Therapy, 6, 1-14.
http://doi.org/10.29245/2767-5122/2024/4.1145

Cunningham, S., Penning, J., Barboza, S., Hansen, B., Tonks, T., Varnell, K., Zhu, A., Lobato de Faria, J., Bright, H., Dahl-Popolizio, S., Wolf, R.L. (2024) Breastfeeding in US working mothers: A systematic review, Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation, 78(4), 851-871.

Bonsall, A., Wolf, R.L., Saffer, A. (2023), Experiential Education in Advocacy for Occupational Therapy Students: Didactic Approaches and Learning Outcomes, Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 7(2).

Dahl-Popolizio, S. (2023). Arthritis. in S. Dahl-Popolizio, Smith, K., M. Day & S. Muir. (Eds), Occupational therapy in primary care: A quick reference guide. Springer Publishing.

Dahl-Popolizio, S., & Ivy, C. (2023). Tendinosis. in S. Dahl-Popolizio, Smith, K., M. Day & S. Muir. (Eds), Occupational therapy in primary care: A quick reference guide. Springer Publishing.

Dahl-Popolizio, S., Sauber, T., Ogaard, M., Mookadam, M., Cambala, S. V., & Trembath F. E. (in press). Primary care occupational therapy: Diagnoses, outcomes, reimbursement, & team satisfaction. Open Journal of Occupational Therapy.

Dahl-Popolizio, S., Sauber, T., & Mookadam, M. (2023). How occupational therapy can contribute to the primary care team and reduce physician burnout. Family Practice Management, 30(3). 15-19.

Dahl-Popolizio, S., Smith, K., Day, M., & Muir, S. (Eds). (2023). Occupational Therapy in Primary Care: A Quick Reference Guide. Springer Publishing.

Doyle, S., Dahl-Popolizio, S., & Day, M. (2023). Hypertension. in S. Dahl-Popolizio, Smith, K., M. Day & S. Muir. (Eds), Occupational therapy in primary care: A quick reference guide. Springer Publishing.

Fulwider, B. (2023). Person-Environment-Occupation Model guides sleep assessment and intervention. OT Practice, 28(3), 18-21.

Gerg, M. J., & Radziak, J.L. (2022). The injured worker. In American Society of Hand Therapists, Test Prep for the CHT exam.

Hand, C., Donnelly, C., Letts, L. & Dahl-Popolizio, S. (2023) The Role of Occupational Therapy in Primary Care. In K. Barney, M. Perkinson,, & D.L. Rudman. Occupational therapy with aging adults. (2nd Ed., ch 26). Elsevier Publishing.

Mirza, M., Dahl-Popolizio, S., & Smith, K. (2023). Conducting research as an emerging practice clinician. in S. Dahl-Popolizio, Smith, K., M. Day & S. Muir. (Eds), Occupational therapy in primary care: A quick reference guide. Springer Publishing.

Muriithi, B. A. K., Muriithi, J., Gupta, J., Radziak, J., & Story, A. (2022). Occupational resilience: Construct and practice implications in occupational therapy [preprint] Research Square. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1786056/v1

Ryder, J., & Dahl-Popolizio, S. (2023). Nerve impingement. in S. Dahl-Popolizio, Smith, K., M. Day & S. Muir. (Eds), Occupational therapy in primary care: A quick reference guide. Springer Publishing.

Shearon, T. & Alexander, J. (in press). Urinary incontinence and quality of life: A cross-sectional study.Occupational Therapy Journal of Research.

Smith, K., Dahl-Popolizio, S., Royeen, L., & Koverman, B. (2023). Overview of occupational therapy in primary care. In S. Dahl-Popolizio, K. Smith, M., Day, & S. Muir. Occupational Therapy in Primary Care: A Quick Reference Guide. Springer Publishing.

Young, J., Sethu, S. K., Dahl-Popolizio, S., Sauber, T., Kosiorek, H., Connor, A., & Mookadam, M. (2023). Review of patient outcomes after referral to OT embedded in a primary care team. The Annals of Family Medicine, 21 (Supplement 1) 4213. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.21.s1.4213

Chapter:
Dahl-Popolizio, S., & Brennhofer, S. (2018). PHM-focused healthcare delivery. In R. Kessler, & C. R. Macchi. (Eds), Training in integrated care: Skills for the new healthcare (pp.65-78). Springer Publishing.

Dahl-Popolizio, S., Roman, G. A., Trembath, F., Doebbeling, B., & Concha-Chavez, A. (2021). Occupational therapy in primary care: Barriers, pivots, and outcomes – a pilot study. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Practice 19(1).
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/ijahsp/vol19/iss1/16

Dahl-Popolizio, S., Carpenter, H., Coronado, M., Popolizio, N. J., & Swanson, C. (2020). Telehealth for the provision of occupational therapy: Reflections on experiences during the covid-19 pandemic. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 2(2). 1-16.
https://doi.org/10.5195/ijt.2021.6382

Smith, K., Day, M., Muir, S., & Dahl-Popolizio, S. (2020). Developing Tailored Program Proposals for Occupational Therapy in Primary Care. Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 8(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1630. (Sue Dahl-Popolizio senior/last author)

Trembath, F., Dahl-Popolizio, S., VanWinkle, M., & Milligan, L. (2019). Retrospective analysis: Most common diagnoses seen in a primary care clinic and corresponding occupational therapy interventions. Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 7(2). 1-14.
https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1539 (Sue Dahl-Popolizio corresponding author)

Dahl-Popolizio, S., Doyle, S. & Wade, S. (2018): The role of primary health care in achieving global healthcare goals: Highlighting the potential contribution of occupational therapy, World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin, 74(1). 8-16.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14473828.2018.1433770
(invited publication)

Dahl-Popolizio, S., Rogers, O., Muir, S., Carroll, J.K. & Manson, L. (2017). Interprofessional primary care: The value of occupational therapy. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 5(3), 1-10. doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1363

Dahl-Popolizio, S., Muir, S., Davis, K., Wade, S. & Voysey, R. (2017) Occupational therapy in primary care: Determining receptiveness of occupational therapists and primary care providers. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 5(3), 1-12. doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1372

Dahl-Popolizio, S., Manson, L., Muir, S., & Rogers, O. (2016). Enhancing the value of integrated primary care: The role of occupational therapy. Families, Systems, & Health, 34(3), 270-280. doi: 10.1037/fsh0000208

Dahl-Popolizio, S., Loman, J., & Cordes, C. C. (2014). Comparing outcomes of Kinect video game-based occupational/physical therapy versus usual care. Games for Health, 3 (3), 157-161. doi: 10.1089/g4h.2014.0002

Occupational therapy continuing education

A.T. Still University’s Continuing Education department provides occupational therapists with opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills through evidence-based, cost-effective programs. These offerings aim to improve patient outcomes, support career growth, and promote an interdisciplinary approach to care, ensuring that clinicians stay current with the latest advancements in the field.

DEPARTMENT OF Occupational Therapy