2008 Woodie Awards
New master's program added
Abby McMahon
Issue date: 12/1/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
By the fall semester of 2006, a master's degree in occupational therapy will be offered on UTC's campus.
The program will be affiliated with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, which is part of the University of Memphis, according to Susan McDonald, coordinator of UTHSC's Chattanooga campus occupational therapy program.
Although the OT classes will begin next fall, the program will be officially underway in January of 2007, McDonald said.
She added that 10 students will be admitted to the UTC campus, and 20 from the Memphis campus.
UTC and Siskin Rehabilitation Hospital signed an agreement to start the program, McDonald said.
"UTC and Siskin have been very supportive in getting this program started," she said. "The chancellor has also been helpful in getting this program going."
Catherine Cofer, a Lookout Mountain., Tenn., senior, said the program will be a great addition to UTC and beneficial for students interested in pursuing a career in the field.
McDonald said it has been two to three years since the pre-OT bachelor's degree program has ceased due to "resource constraints."
"Most of those students have probably gone elsewhere to further pursue occupational therapy," she said.
Even though the OT classes will not begin until fall 2006, McDonald and UTHSC are busy with preparations. Hiring faculty, recruitment and making changes to UTC's catalog are among McDonald's current duties, she said.
There are no plans on the table to begin a doctorate program in occupational therapy, although McDonald said it is a possibility that it will be an option in the future.
The master's program includes 90 hours of pre-requisites that "are heavy in the sciences and psychology," she said.
For more information on the master's occupational therapy program, send inquiries via e-mail to susan-mcdonald@utc.edu.
The program will be affiliated with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, which is part of the University of Memphis, according to Susan McDonald, coordinator of UTHSC's Chattanooga campus occupational therapy program.
Although the OT classes will begin next fall, the program will be officially underway in January of 2007, McDonald said.
She added that 10 students will be admitted to the UTC campus, and 20 from the Memphis campus.
UTC and Siskin Rehabilitation Hospital signed an agreement to start the program, McDonald said.
"UTC and Siskin have been very supportive in getting this program started," she said. "The chancellor has also been helpful in getting this program going."
Catherine Cofer, a Lookout Mountain., Tenn., senior, said the program will be a great addition to UTC and beneficial for students interested in pursuing a career in the field.
McDonald said it has been two to three years since the pre-OT bachelor's degree program has ceased due to "resource constraints."
"Most of those students have probably gone elsewhere to further pursue occupational therapy," she said.
Even though the OT classes will not begin until fall 2006, McDonald and UTHSC are busy with preparations. Hiring faculty, recruitment and making changes to UTC's catalog are among McDonald's current duties, she said.
There are no plans on the table to begin a doctorate program in occupational therapy, although McDonald said it is a possibility that it will be an option in the future.
The master's program includes 90 hours of pre-requisites that "are heavy in the sciences and psychology," she said.
For more information on the master's occupational therapy program, send inquiries via e-mail to susan-mcdonald@utc.edu.
