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New Doctorate Programs Address Needs of Physical and Occupational Therapy Professionals

Misericordia University recently approved new doctorate programs in occupational and physical therapy to address the growing responsibilities of these health care professionals.

The occupational therapy doctorate degree (OTD) is one of the few post-professional programs available on the East Coast that offers specific courses designed for licensed occupational therapists to advance their knowledge and practice competence in areas that include pediatrics and geriatrics.

The occupational therapy doctorate will be available beginning in the 2008 fall semester. It is an advanced clinical practice degree that prepares licensed therapists to assume leadership and program development roles. The advanced degree is essential as the profession of occupational therapy moves into new emerging areas of practice that require OT practitioners to support independent and productive living in the greater community.

The new program builds upon Misericordia University’s highly successful five-year, Master of Science degree in occupational therapy. The post-professional degree addresses the changing dynamics and responsibilities in the profession for an aging society. In 2007, the minimum requirement for entry into occupational therapy became a master’s degree or higher.

An OTD, according to the American Occupational Therapy Association, provides occupational therapists the advanced clinical training to support rapidly growing community needs, and creates practitioners with sophisticated clinical skills who can meet the need for leaders who are familiar with public policy, changing environments and practice innovation through advanced theory, research and occupational science.

"There is a regional and national need for highly qualified occupational therapists," says Ellen McLaughlin, Ed.D., dean of the College of Health Sciences at Misericordia University. "Most of last year’s graduating class had secured employment as occupational therapists before graduation. The continued demand for occupational therapists in the workforce is demonstrated by the numerous inquiries our Insalaco Career Development Center receives."

In 2007, MU introduced an innovative Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT) that guarantees freshmen students in the program will progress to the graduate level as long as they maintain academic standards.

"There is a regional and national need for highly qualified physical therapy graduates," said Susan Barker, P.T., Ph.D., N.C.S., professor, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at Misericordia University. "One hundred percent of the class of 2006 reported having employment as physical therapists before graduation. The continued demand for physical therapists in the workforce is demonstrated by the numerous inquiries our Insalaco Career Development Center receives each week."

Unlike many other graduate programs, Misericordia guarantees its freshmen students will progress to the graduate level instead of having to re-apply for admission or seek admission to another institution to complete their graduate work. During their first 3½ years in the program, students will take required pre-requisite courses for their doctorate while completing requirements for a bachelor’s degree of their choice, like biochemistry, biology, chemistry, communications, health care management and sport management.

Misericordia’s program also allows students to begin graduate study after completing all undergraduate requirements, rather than simultaneously completing undergraduate and graduate requirements. Compared to other post-baccalaureate programs in the state, Misericordia students can complete the program in as little as 6½ years, while other comparable programs require seven years.

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