I am back – just like spring and warmer weather after an interesting winter.  I have definitely been neglecting my blog.  As the students would say, “my bad.”  Yesterday I attended a workshop on using social networks such as blogs, twitter, facebook, etc. and it inspired me to return to my blog.

 

So anyways, what has been going on?  We started the Occupational Therapy Program in September 2009 with a new class.  We are well into our second semester, and we have not lost anyone so all is well in that area.  Our second year students survived their first Level 2 fieldwork and had some interesting stories to share when they returned to class in January.  They are actually preparing for their final Level 2 fieldwork.

 

We have received a record number of applications for our fall 2010 class.  We are in the process now of wrapping up acceptances and deposits to finalize this coming fall’s cohort.  A new curriculum is being unveiled with the incoming fall class so we will be in a bit of transition while our second year students fall under the old curriculum and our new incoming class falls under the new curriculum.    After input from existing students as well as the desire to better fit the vision of the program as well as AOTA standards, substantial work has been put into developing this new sequence.  I think it will be an exciting time for us.  While I think our OT program is already great, our faculty and staff always strive to improve and develop the program so our students are better prepared to enter the OT world.

 

We are also rolling out a new undergraduate major, Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, in September.   There seems to be much interest already in this major.

 

As you can see, I have not been slacking, we have had much on our plates and hopefully will have much to blog about more often.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Courtney Adams]

I am interested in a career in occupational therapy. I've considered doing an online program like the one here: http://www.atsu.edu/ashs/online_programs/occupational_therapy/index.htm. Any advice on completing a program and what to expect/prepare for would be appreciated!

[Janet Betts]

For a program such as Sacred Heart's OT Program which is an entry level Master’s program, I would recommend that a student preparing to enter this program work hard to successfully complete an undergraduate degree, work to keep your GPA as high as possible (but at least 3.0 or the GPA required for the program one is interested in),and work to keep your prerequisite GPA at least 3.0 (or required prerequisite GPA). Programs are getting very competitive and you should make yourself a strong candidate for consideration. I would suggest doing some volunteer work or shadowing with an OT in several different settings to get a good feel for what OT's do and to be certain it is the career choice for you! If your undergraduate college has a Pre-OT Club, get involved and meet others with the same interests and career goals.

Many programs have an online component although not entirely online. The required fieldwork component of a master's program would make it impossible for a program to be entirely on line I believe. Advanced practice programs (for those already having an OT degree)are more apt to be fully online.

Expect to work hard while in school, expect to learn a lot in a short amount of time but expect OT to be a very rewarding and satisfying career….

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