Status cements PC’s position for producing high-quality, competent, entry-level-prepared occupational therapists equipped to provide services to a diverse patient population as members of an interprofessional healthcare team

by Sarah Murphy

The Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program at Presbyterian College has been approved for a seven-year accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) — the longest initial accreditation time available from the accrediting body.

At its meeting in April 2023, ACOTE reviewed the Report of On-Site Evaluation (ROSE) from PC and all standards were found to be compliant.

“The accreditation process is daunting, but it forces an environment of excellence and self-reflection for faculty members as they redefine their professional standard through the knowledge and creativity of academics,” said Dr. Cindy Erb, interim program director and associate professor in the PC-OTD program. “It affirms their commitment and love for the profession by the invaluable contributions made to its future. Seeing the transition from student to therapist never gets old!”

“Our team has worked tirelessly to develop curriculum, policies and procedures that align with the standards of education set forth by ACOTE,” said Dr. Melissa Turpin ’08, associate professor and admissions coordinator, PC-OTD. “The process of building a program has been a rewarding experience and achieving accreditation shows the dedication our team has to the education of future occupational therapy practitioners.”

PC’s strengths, as identified in the ROSE, included the interim program director’s leadership and commitment to the program; the faculty’s dedication and attention to the personal and professional growth of students; and the hands-on opportunities in the program.

PC OTD students were also commended for their community service work, including activities that highlight the mission of the program and emphasize innovation and development of leadership skills.

“Being a part of this journey has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Madi Ludwig, PC-OTD student, Class of 2024. “I have been honored to contribute to the accreditation process by actively engaging with leaders of the occupational therapy field. I am proud to be a part of a program that prioritizes its students and the surrounding community.”

The OTD accreditation process is a rigorous one. PC first started in 2018 under provisional candidacy status, which allows for student entry. It also allows time to prepare for the self-study submission, approval toward pre-accreditation status and the initial on-site evaluation. The self-study process requires submission of summaries for 130 standards addressing administrative/programmatic policies, curriculum content/structure, fieldwork and the doctoral capstone project and experience (DCE).

“ACOTE has exacting standards for all parts of the curriculum and practical training in Occupational Therapy,” said Dr. Kerry Pannell, provost and vice president for academic affairs at PC. “The OTD program at Presbyterian College is of very high quality and prepares students well for the rigors of becoming a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.”

Occupational therapists work with patients who have experienced injury, disease, or illness, helping to restore and enhance their daily occupations (jobs, hobbies, or routine tasks). Over the course of eight semesters, PC-OTD students engage in a comprehensive mix of classroom learning, lab work, clinical experience and service-based community involvement.

PC-OTD is housed in the newly-renovated Bailey Hall where students have access to a robust environmental simulation center and lab spaces. As an ACOTE-accredited program, graduates are now officially eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam for certification.

The future is bright for PC-OTD. The first cohort of students began their DCE by implementing projects throughout the Southeast, advocating for the OT profession, consumers and key stakeholders in a variety of practice settings and community environments. The DCE is the final step in their educational journey before graduation in August.

“As a first-generation student, I am proud to be in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program at Presbyterian College,” said Ashley Erwin, a member of the Class of 2024. “Receiving programmatic accreditation reflects the level of rigor and expectations set by the professors and shown in the academic environment. Constant learning and service opportunities within the classroom and throughout the community reflect the motto of Presbyterian College; ‘While We Live, We Serve.’ Achieving this accreditation will benefit the future students of occupational therapy and enhance the profession as a whole.”

To learn more about the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program at Presbyterian College, visit the program website.