The new program will be housed within the School of Rehabilitation Sciences and will give students the hard skills needed to pursue a career as an occupational therapist, as well as equip them with soft skills like compassion.
Andrews University will have a new course offering for the Fall 2025 semester: Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. The program was designed to meet the needs of the healthcare industry in the region and will equip students with healthcare skills while also teaching Andrews University’s faith-based values.
According to an article on Andrews University’s website, Kimberly Ferreira, PhD, who is the chair of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, was quoted as saying of the new program, “Our OTD program is designed to not only equip students with the technical skills necessary for success but also to instill a deep commitment to service and compassion. We’re excited to shape the next generation of occupational therapists who will make a significant impact in their communities and beyond.”
The program has been given Applicant for Accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
According to the program’s webpage, completing the program will “prepare you with the skills to work with clients and perform patient evaluations, establish, and modify treatment plans, provide treatment, evaluate, and document patient progress, discharge clients, conduct independent research, pursue advocacy and leadership roles.” The program will take three years to complete and includes a capstone project that will see students selecting a specialty they want to research, as well as fieldwork.
Benefits of enrolling into the program include a small cohort size as there is a focus placed on individual learning, a 3+3 program format that allows the student to accelerate their learning pace by earning a bachelor degree and a doctorate within six years instead of the traditional seven, and a Christian education that focuses on treating patients holistically.
There will be online information sessions occurring monthly in the lead-up to the program’s launch. Applications are already being accepted, and it is encouraged that students apply early, as the initial cohort of the program will have limited seats.
For more information about Andrews University, visit the school’s website.