The agreement guarantees that two students hailing from Alma College’s Integrative Physiology and Health Science (IPHS) program will have spots in University of Michigan-Flint’s Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program.
Alma College and University of Michigan-Flint have partnered on a direct admission agreement that will allow two students per year from Alma College to be guaranteed spots in the University of Michigan-Flint Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program. The ODT program at University of Michigan-Flint is the first of its kind in the state, giving students the highest-level of education and preparation they can receive for entry-level occupational therapist positions, making the opportunity for Alma College students to enter into the program a positive step toward a career.
According to an article on Alma College’s website, Brianna Harfmann, who serves as an associate professor of IPHS at Alma College, noted that this agreement is solidifying an already-existing, informal partnership. She is quoted as saying, “For many years, we’ve seen successful students from the Alma College Integrative Physiology and Health Science (IPHS) program move on to have wonderful experiences with UM-Flint’s OTD program. I see this agreement as codifying an existing partnership between our two institutions, one that has been mutually beneficial for a long time and will continue to be so in years to come.”
The agreement was signed at Alma College on September 20. The terms of the agreement state that for the next five years, Alma College faculty will nominate two qualified students per year to be admitted into the ODT program at the University of Michigan-Flint. The admission will be guaranteed, though conditional, with students needing to achieve satisfactory grades and maintain professional behavior.
Julie Jacob, Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Interim Director of Academic Programs at the College of Health Sciences at University of Michigan-Flint, shared her thoughts on the direct admission agreement, saying, “This is a big step forward in the ongoing collaboration between our two institutions. UM-Flint is not only recognizing the high caliber of Alma students, we’re making a commitment to their future success in a field that is so critical to improving the quality of life for individuals in our state.”
Alma College Provost Sean Burke echoed these sentiments, adding that this is also a big win for the students who will get the best from both institutions. He said, “This is a great opportunity for two well-regarded programs to come together and meet the needs of students, as well as the job market in Michigan. By providing graduates of Alma College with direct admission into doctorate programs like those offered by the University of Michigan-Flint, they are getting the best of what both institutions can offer.”
More information about University of Michigan-Flint can be found on its website.
For more information about Alma College, visit the school’s website.