Summer Springboard
Occupational Therapy
ON THE CAMPUS OF BARNARD COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
STEP INTO THE SHOES OF AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST AND HELP PEOPLE RECLAIM THEIR INDEPENDENCE.
THIS IS A TWO-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.
Occupational Therapy @ Barnard College
- Write, edit, and fact-check news stories using the same AP style professional journalists use.
- Interview sources and learn how to identify and pitch stories that matter.
- Discover how news outlets and brands reach their audiences through social media and influencer marketing.
- Create a content calendar and social campaign for your own digital news brand.
- Build a personal brand and online presence that showcases your strengths.
- Report on deadline at a simulated press conference, then pitch your news brand.
Summer Springboard
Occupational Therapy
About This Course
Occupational therapy is about much more than treating an injury or illness. It’s about helping people get back to the activities that give their lives meaning, from getting dressed and cooking breakfast to playing, learning, and working. In this two-week course, students discover how occupational therapists consider the whole person, including their body, mind, environment, relationships, and goals. Students explore OT with children, teens, adults, and older adults across settings like pediatrics, mental health, rehabilitation, and community practice. The course ends with each student designing and building their own adaptive equipment to help a client reach a meaningful goal.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Students try everyday tasks with simulated limitations, break activities down step by step through activity analysis, and rotate through pediatric, rehabilitation, and assistive technology stations. Working from a client case study, each student designs, builds, and demonstrates a piece of low-tech adaptive equipment.
Career Exploration
Students learn how occupational therapists work with families, teachers, physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists. They explore the education path to becoming an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant and the many settings where OTs work, from schools and hospitals to clinics and community programs.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“My experience here was amazing. I got to have an insight into what college will be like with the classes, dorms, and students. I got to be exposed to a whole variety of different things like going on excursions, meeting different people, and seeing tourist attractions. I also got to have an insight into a career that I’m interested in.”
Jackie T. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Occupational Therapy
Meet Your Instructor
Christine James, OTR/L is a licensed Occupational Therapist who earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University. She has experience across a variety of clinical settings, including school-based pediatrics, early intervention home-based care, and outpatient hand therapy. Christine is passionate about education, mentorship, and empowering others through hands-on learning. Throughout her academic and professional journey, she has embraced opportunities to lead, teach, and support others in their growth. As an instructor, she looks forward to sharing her clinical knowledge and real-world experiences with students while inspiring them to explore the meaningful impact of occupational therapy in everyday life.
CHRISTINE JAMES
“It was great here. Almost everything was perfect and I genuinely feel that I gained something from this. I finally know what I want to do in life and want to work hard for it.”
-Malcolm C. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Occupational Therapy
Dates & Tuition
| 2027 Dates |
|---|
| Session 2: July 18 – July 30, 2027 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $5,998* |
| Commuter Tuition: $3,298* |
| Course Supplement: $250* |
*Apply by November 30 to lock in the lowest prices of the year. Tuition increases on December 1.
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: New York City |
| State: New York |
| Campus: Barnard College |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.