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WHAT IS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST?

Healthcare employment is booming, and the demand for occupational therapists (OT) continues to grow. 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).

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

Over the course of just eight semesters, students in the Occupational Therapy doctoral program (OTD) at Presbyterian College engage in a comprehensive mix of classroom learning, lab work, clinical experience, and service-based community involvement. Class sizes are small, allowing professors to get to know students better and meet them at their level. Most faculty are also practicing clinicians, meaning they have connections to help students easily transition from the classroom to the clinic. PC occupational therapists are innovative researchers and servant leaders, passionate about evidence-based practice, advocacy, diversity, and scholarship. Graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam for certification.

WHY PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE?

  • Get Working Faster
    Our OT program is only 8 semesters long as opposed to the typical 9, getting you into the working world faster.
  • Utilize OT-specific Resources
    In the newly renovated Bailey Hall, OT students have access to a robust environmental simulation center and lab spaces.
  • Join a Collaborative Community
    Small class sizes—typically 40 students or less—allow our students to collaborate easily and build strong relationships with their peers. With low student-faculty ratios (11:1), our faculty is accessible to students, both in and outside the classroom.
  • Pursue Servant Leadership
    We take our motto, “While We Live, We Serve,” to heart. PC students serve within the Clinton community and go on to make a lasting impact nationwide.

POST-GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT

Occupational therapists work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, schools, community organizations, outpatient clinics, work settings, patient homes,
and private practice.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

17%: Projected OT employment growth this decade—much faster than the average 8%
$85,570: Approximate median salary for the OT field.

CURRICULUM & DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The curriculum of the Doctoral Occupational Therapy Program at Presbyterian College replicates the science and theory-base of the profession, enabling student growth and understanding of skilled intervention and approaches that are unique to occupational therapy.

The program is 33 months in duration or 8 semesters. It comprises 113 credit hours in a mix of didactic/experiential courses (83 credits), clinical education/fieldwork (28 credits), and required programmatic competency (2 credits).

COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE:

  • Applied Kinesiology
  • Research Design & Methods
  • Leadership, Policy, and Promotion in OT Practice
  • Neuromuscular Anatomy and more

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