Department Chair and Program Director, Clinical Assistant Professor Occupational Therapy
Dr. Sharon M McCloskey, EdD, MBA, OT/L, CTP, currently holds the position of Department Chair and Program Director for the Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy at Sacred Heart University. With a career spanning nearly 40 years in occupational therapy, Dr. McCloskey's extensive higher education experience includes roles as a Clinical Assistant Professor since 2002 and, since 2013 as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Occupational Therapy. Dr. McCloskey is passionate about occupational therapy education. Her occupational therapy practice has primarily focused on pediatrics and mental health, with significant involvement in public and private schools, early childhood settings, sensory integration clinics, and community-based programs. Beyond her occupational therapy expertise, Dr. McCloskey is also a certified trauma practitioner, actively working in clinics to support children and youth who have faced adversity and early life trauma. Her current occupational roles include walking, cooking, photography, travel, and playing with grandchildren.
Dr. McCloskey’s vision for occupational therapy education is to cultivate excellence in students by fostering a dynamic learning environment that nurtures innovation, critical thinking, and compassionate care. She is committed to empowering students with cutting-edge knowledge, hands-on experiences, and a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of occupational therapy. Through collaborative relationships with excellent faculty and staff, community partnerships, research initiatives, and a dedication to diversity and inclusion, Sharon’s aspiration is to graduate skilled and empathetic occupational therapists who set the standard for excellence in healthcare, education and wellness, and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of individuals and communities.
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About Dr. Sharon M McCloskey
Dr. Sharon M McCloskey, EdD, MBA, OT/L, CTP, currently holds the position of Department Chair and Program Director for the Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy at Sacred Heart University. With a career spanning nearly 40 years in occupational therapy, Dr. McCloskey's extensive higher education experience includes roles as a Clinical Assistant Professor since 2002 and, since 2013 as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Occupational Therapy. Dr. McCloskey is passionate about occupational therapy education. Her occupational therapy practice has primarily focused on pediatrics and mental health, with significant involvement in public and private schools, early childhood settings, sensory integration clinics, and community-based programs. Beyond her occupational therapy expertise, Dr. McCloskey is also a certified trauma practitioner, actively working in clinics to support children and youth who have faced adversity and early life trauma. Her current occupational roles include walking, cooking, photography, travel, and playing with grandchildren.
Dr. McCloskey’s vision for occupational therapy education is to cultivate excellence in students by fostering a dynamic learning environment that nurtures innovation, critical thinking, and compassionate care. She is committed to empowering students with cutting-edge knowledge, hands-on experiences, and a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of occupational therapy. Through collaborative relationships with excellent faculty and staff, community partnerships, research initiatives, and a dedication to diversity and inclusion, Sharon’s aspiration is to graduate skilled and empathetic occupational therapists who set the standard for excellence in healthcare, education and wellness, and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of individuals and communities.
| August 2020 - Present | Chair & Clinical Assistant Professor, Sacred Heart University ‐ Occupational Therapy, College of Health Professions | |
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| July 2013 - Present | Clinical Assistant Professor Occupational Therapy, Sacred Heart University ‐ Occupational Therapy, College of Health Professions | |
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| August 2002 - June 2013 | Adjunct Professor Occupational Therapy, Sacred Heart University ‐ Occupational Therapy, College of Health Professions | |
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Disciplines
Research Interests
Honors and Awards
- CHP and CON Dean’s Award for Interprofessional Education, 2015
- Award of Merit from Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association: March, 2016
- Award of Service from Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association: March, 2015
- Award of Appreciation from Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association: March, 2014
- Service Commendations from American Occupational Therapy Association: April, 2012 and April, 2013 – Response to Intervention Work Group
- 2022 ACT Award for “Diversity and Inclusion in OT Education Through a Professional Learning Community”
Courses
- OT 578 and OT 608 – Capstone Advisor
- OT 530 Groups
- OT 528 Clinical Lab in Mental Health
- OT 505 Health Policy and Law
- OT 546 Human Occupation and Activity Analysis
| 2015 - 2019 | Ed.D. Educational Leadership, University of Hartford | |
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| 2005 - 2007 | MBA, Business Administration, Management and Operations, University of New Haven | |
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| 1982 - 1985 | Occupational Therapy, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland | |
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Links
Contact Information
Occupational Therapy
Ctr for Healthcare Education CHCE*N115
College of Health Professions
203-396-8088
Email: