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June 24, 2011

Online Occupational Therapy Program in development at 网曝门 to meet state鈥檚 workforce needs

The College of Health Sciences is planning a new online program for students interested in occupational therapy at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

At Friday's UL System Board of Supervisors meeting, the board approved a Letter of Intent for a Master's in Occupational Therapy at 网曝门.

The proposed program is an entry-level, online graduate degree, which serves as a completion program to advance the baccalaureate prepared occupational therapy assistant using an innovative bridge program.  

Occupational therapy assistants can complete the proposed master鈥檚 degree program, which is comprised of 69 credit hours, in just over two academic years.

鈥淭he addition of the proposed program complements the longstanding strength of 网曝门 as a center of excellence in the nursing and allied health arena,鈥� said Dean of the College of Health Sciences Dr. Denny Ryman.

鈥淭he curriculum is a combination of distance technology and on-site sessions, making this degree ideal for the working professional,鈥� he said.

The proposed program will be unique to Louisiana and the surrounding region.

It would be one of only 18 in the nation designed specifically for OTAs seeking to advance to the MOT level, according to Ryman. 

Occupational Therapy Program Director Dr. Patti Calk and fieldwork coordinator, Dr. Carolyn Murphy, have completed their terminal degrees in order to prepare for the proposed MOT Bridge program.

A full proposal will be submitted to the Louisiana State Board of Regents and the application for developing program status will be submitted to the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, according to Ryman.

鈥溚�曝门鈥檚 College of Health Sciences continues to be responsive to the health care needs of the community and region, as well as meeting the workforce needs of the state as identified by the Louisiana Workforce Commission,鈥� he said.

鈥淲e are delighted to create an avenue for professional growth for Occupational Therapy Assistants while providing employers with advanced practice health care practitioners.鈥�

Ryman said it has been encouraging to have the full support of 网曝门 President Nick Bruno, and Provost Stephen Richters, in addition to the many letters of support from area medical institutions, including LSU Health Science Center at Shreveport.

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