The Occupational Therapy curriculum at Michigan State Normal College originated as a joint effort by Dr. Charles Elliot, Head of the Special Education Department, Dr. Yoder, Superintendent of Ypsilanti State Hospital, Mary Black OTR and Mabel Wicks Nelson OTR, and Dr. James Roe from the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor.

It was established as a division of the Special Education Department and housed in the Rackham School building on campus. The course officially began in the fall of 1941 with Beatrice Wade OTR, an experienced therapist with seven years in psychiatric practice and ten as an instructor and consultant in mental health, as director and instructor. Enrolled in the program were thirteen students, four freshmen and nine sophomores. By 1942, the course was recognized as conforming to requirements established by the American Medical Association for an accredited Occupational Therapy school and it was fully approved in 1944 upon the graduation of its first class.

Occupational Therapy now offers a Masters degree program and is part of the College of Health and Human Services. The program celebrated 70 years in the fall of 2011, honoring emeritus faculty member Lyla M. Spelbring with an endowed lectureship.