黑料专区

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program at 黑料专区 is now fully accredited for the next seven years, having achieved that all-important milestone last month.

In addition, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), which granted the accreditation, noted no concerns or areas of non-compliance in its on-site review. The council did not make any suggestions for ways that MSOT might improve.

鈥淚t was a glowing report,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Fain, the founding director of MSOT. 鈥淲e essentially scored a 100.鈥�

Pfeiffer鈥檚 first cohort of MSOT graduates are now eligible to sit for a national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Passage of the exam confers the title of Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).

All told, Pfeiffer鈥檚 MSOT program had to meet ACOTE鈥檚 standards in more than 120 areas, a process that took about two years to complete. The program began operating in the spring of 2020, having been granted 鈥渃andidacy status鈥� by ACOTE, which is the initial phase of a developing program.

ACOTE highlighted several strengths of the University鈥檚 program. These include a high level of awareness of Pfeiffer and the occupational therapy program in and around Stanly County, N.C. as well as the advocacy and service that the program is offering the community.

The MSOT program was also applauded for its experiential learning opportunities, and it was acknowledged for its diverse student body. ACOTE commended the program for having a 鈥渟hared vision with the community and 黑料专区鈥� and 鈥渇or students expressing confidence in the OT program.鈥�

One of the students is Kenneth Drysdale, who relocated from Florida to attend the MSOT program. Drysdale, who鈥檚 scheduled to graduate next December with the 2023 cohort, said he was thrilled to learn of the accreditation.

鈥淢SOT promotes student feedback to cultivate an enhanced learning experience,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he prospect of becoming the next generation to deliver evidence-based services to patients creates enthusiasm for the journey we face each day.鈥� Drysdale also praised the clinical experience of the MSOT professors, and he said that each 鈥渋s available as a mentor.鈥�

Madeline Cook, an MSOT student scheduled to graduate with Drysdale, noted several aspects of the program that utilized experiential learning. 

 鈥淚 can confidently say how impactful that experience was for me and how much I grew as a student and future practitioner. Learning hands-on gave me a newfound appreciation for the human body and how all body structures work together to impact movement,鈥� she said.

Cook also praised efforts by Pfeiffer鈥檚 MSOT program to bring in guest speakers. These have ranged from clients who鈥檝e been positively impacted by OT to occupational therapists who have talked about the settings they work in and how they are advocating for their profession.

Cook, who lives in Huntersville, N.C., has benefited from the personal, individualized approach at the heart of Pfeiffer鈥檚 MSOT program. She was paired with a 鈥淧feiffer friend,鈥� who has helped her forge connections in the community and even fortified her with baked goods before exams.

Finally, Cook called the faculty of Pfeiffer鈥檚 MSOT program a huge strength.

鈥淚 have always felt that I can go ask any of my professors for help or talk to them if I am struggling with something,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am grateful to the faculty for all they do and love to learn from them since they all come from unique and diverse backgrounds.鈥�