Weber State University announced on April 16 the creation of a new bachelor’s degree program for occupational therapy assistants, supported by an initial $2.5 million investment from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation.
The university said the program aims to address workforce shortages in Utah and improve patient care by expanding access to training for future healthcare professionals. The initiative comes as demand for occupational therapy assistants is projected to grow nationally, with employment expected to rise by 19% through 2034 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Gail Miller, chair of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation and co-founder of the Larry H. Miller Company, said, “Programs like the occupational therapy assistant program at Weber State play a critical role in equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to become outstanding healthcare providers. We are proud to provide founding support for this program and help launch what will surely become the training ground for many exceptional healthcare professionals.”
Robyn Thompson, assistant professor and OTA program director hired in 2024, said she is developing curriculum that will prepare students better than associate-level programs: “As occupational therapy advances, industry professionals have recognized the need to move beyond traditional associate-level training,” Thompson said. “We see how this bachelor’s degree will serve students better than an associate’s degree. We’re being forward-thinking with this, creating better training and more career opportunities for our graduates.” She also described occupational therapy as “where science, creativity, and compassion collide,” emphasizing its appeal for those who want creative approaches within healthcare.
The new OTA Pathways Building on Weber State’s Ogden campus will open later this year featuring simulated hospital, clinic, and home environments designed to prepare students for real-world challenges outside traditional classrooms. Rhonda Roth, assistant professor and academic field coordinator of the OTA program said: “Our goal is to involve students with client populations from the start of the program… This not only grows their clinical reasoning through real-life experience but also supports the community in which our program exists.”
Applications are expected to open at end of April with a first cohort beginning fall 2026 after national accreditation review.
Weber State University advances community transformation through civic engagement and public service according to its official website. The university utilizes a campus on the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains according to its official website. It focuses on educating diverse students to transform lives and communities through supportive learning and civic engagement according to its official website. Weber State stands out as Utah’s first comprehensive regional university according to its official website and operates under authorization from Utah Code according to its official website. Its educational offerings include teaching, research, experiential learning, and civic engagement according to its official website.