Department Introduction

Education and Early Professional Development

The Department of Occupational Therapy prepares healthcare professionals who support individuals in achieving independence and meaningful participation in daily life activities. Occupational therapists work with individuals experiencing physical, cognitive, psychological, or developmental challenges and design intervention strategies that enhance functional ability and quality of life.

The four-year undergraduate program integrates foundational sciences with applied therapeutic practice. Students develop competence in activity analysis, adaptive technologies, environmental modification, and evidence-based rehabilitation approaches. Structured clinical training and supervised internships ensure that graduates enter professional practice with strong clinical reasoning and practical skills.

Occupational therapy is a rapidly evolving profession with a central role in interdisciplinary healthcare teams, contributing to individual autonomy, community participation, and social inclusion.

Academic Experience at Lokman Hekim University

Lokman Hekim University offers a comprehensive and contemporary occupational therapy education within a health-focused institutional framework. Modern laboratories, simulation-based training environments, and collaborations with healthcare institutions enable students to translate theoretical knowledge into structured clinical experience.

The department emphasizes experiential learning through direct patient engagement and supervised clinical practice. Graduates are equipped to function effectively and responsibly across diverse healthcare and rehabilitation settings.

Faculty members actively participate in national and international research projects and contribute to scientific literature, fostering a research-informed academic culture. Students are encouraged to engage in research initiatives at an early stage, including projects supported under TÜBİTAK 2209-A, as well as participation in symposia, congresses, and workshops. A student-led academic publication further strengthens scholarly engagement and editorial experience within the department.

Professional identity is supported through structured ceremonies and social activities that cultivate community, collaboration, and institutional belonging.

Specialized Laboratory Infrastructure

The department is supported by advanced laboratories designed to reflect real clinical environments.

The Sensory Integration and Cognitive Training Laboratory offers one of the most comprehensive sensory integration training environments in Ankara. Pediatric rehabilitation training is delivered through applied sessions under the supervision of experienced clinical faculty.

The Activities of Daily Living Laboratory simulates real-life environments, allowing students to practice self-care skills, use assistive technology, and perform functional transfers, such as wheelchair-to-bed mobility. Creative and arts-based therapeutic activities are also incorporated into training.

The Work Capacity Evaluation and Training Laboratory focuses on vocational rehabilitation and return-to-work assessment. Students gain hands-on experience in functional capacity evaluation, hand function testing, muscle strength assessment, and sensory testing as part of upper extremity and hand rehabilitation training.

These facilities ensure that theoretical knowledge is consistently integrated with the development of applied clinical skills.

Career Opportunities

Graduates pursue careers in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private clinics, schools, special education institutions, geriatric care facilities, and mental health services. They may also contribute to community-based integration programs that support social participation and independent living.

Occupational therapists are eligible to establish private practice in accordance with national regulations and may provide consultancy and rehabilitation services independently.

Curriculum Structure

The curriculum combines foundational sciences such as anatomy, physiology, psychology, and neurology with occupational therapy–specific coursework. Core areas include activities of daily living, cognitive rehabilitation, assistive technology applications, environmental adaptations, occupational therapy theories, ethics, hand rehabilitation, orthotic applications, neurodevelopmental approaches, sign language, and low vision rehabilitation.

The program emphasizes evidence-based intervention models and interdisciplinary collaboration throughout all stages of training.

Double Major and Minor 

The university encourages interdisciplinary development through minor and double major pathways. Students in the Department of Occupational Therapy may pursue minor studies in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Dietetics, Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, and Nursing. The Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation program is available as a double major option.

Postgraduate and Professional Advancement

Graduates may specialize in pediatric occupational therapy, neurological rehabilitation, geriatric care, hand therapy, and mental health. Opportunities for master’s and doctoral education support academic and research-oriented career pathways.

Erasmus and International Mobility

Lokman Hekim University has participated in the Erasmus mobility framework since 2020 under the coordination of the Turkish National Agency. The university maintains bilateral agreements with institutions across Europe and selected partner countries beyond the European Union. Students may benefit from study and traineeship mobility opportunities in accordance with program guidelines. The university also holds the European Solidarity Corps quality label.

Internship and Clinical Practice

Clinical education is integrated throughout the program. Students complete supervised internships at affiliated healthcare institutions, gaining experience in real patient care environments. These structured placements strengthen professional competence, ethical practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Graduates may establish occupational therapy centers or provide independent consultancy services where legally permitted. The university supports innovation and entrepreneurship through LHUSTEK (Health and Pharmaceutical Technology Center), which offers mentorship and project development opportunities in the healthcare field.

Occupational Therapy Department 2024-2025 - ÖSYS Placement Rankings

100% Scholarship: 130.777-145.942

50% Scholarship: 218.191-477.321

Score Type: Numerical (SAY)

Language of Instruction: Turkish

Education Type: Full-time Education

Duration: 4 Years

Location: Lokman Hekim University Faculty of Health Sciences – Ankara, Söğütözü, C Block