Two years ago, the College’s Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program launched with its first group of students. That group has successfully completed the program and will now graduate on May 3. President Hammond recently announced that the ACOTE granted the MOT program seven years of accreditation. ACOTE is the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
“Our graduates will now be able to sit for their national exam and obtain employment and licensure in the states in which they choose to work,” said Hammond.
Along with occupational therapy, the School of Education & Health Sciences also offers a Master of Athletic Training program. Undergraduate students can even choose to major in health science or exercise science.
Any new programs are either granted accreditation for five or seven years. Accreditation of seven years is a much larger achievement. It shows that there are no areas of non-compliance among 188 different standards.
“This is a remarkable achievement that sets our program apart from many others and is reflective of the high standard of excellence at North Central College,” said Hammond.
The MOT program trains students to work with people suffering from a variety of health issues or disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s, autism or the loss of limbs. Students take courses that range from functional anatomy to health and wellness literacy to neurological dysfunction assessment and intervention.
“I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many talented OTs who I have the pleasure of working with,” said MOT Program Director and Assistant Professor Michelle Sheperd. “I look forward to providing quality curriculum with a unique exposure to the community and the field of OT which will appeal to those who are seeking an OT education.”
President Hammond also announced the official launch of the College’s new Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) recently approved the new program in March. The program is 24 months long and includes a teaching year followed by a clinical year.
“Our relationship-centered educational model will allow our students to develop into competent and compassionate medical providers, mentored and coached by experienced PA educators,” said MSPAS Program Director Mary Groll.
All information about the program, how to apply and its curriculum, can be found here. The program will accept applications for the first group of students starting April 30, 2020. In addition, all accepted applicants will matriculate into the program in August 2021. The MSPAS program is currently awaiting accreditation from ARC-PA for Accreditation-Provisional.
“The program aims to address the current shortage in the nation’s physician workforce — an issue that has been recently exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Hammond.
The program will run out of a new health sciences building that is currently under construction next to Patterson Hall. Construction will be complete in time for the start of the program.
