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The effectiveness of master's degree programs for occupational therapists
Summary
Graduates are satisfied with occupational therapy master's programs, finding they foster research skills. However, these programs only partially prepare skilled practitioners and educators for the profession.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Therapy Education
- Graduate Studies
- Health Professions Education
Background:
- Master's degree programs are crucial for developing occupational therapy professionals.
- Assessing program effectiveness is vital for meeting evolving professional demands.
- Understanding graduate program strengths and weaknesses informs curriculum development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate graduate occupational therapy programs in the U.S.
- To determine if programs meet the needs of the occupational therapy profession.
- To identify trends, strengths, and weaknesses in current graduate curricula.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to 100 occupational therapists.
- Respondents were graduates from 12 universities.
- Data from 61.4% of recipients were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Master's programs effectively encourage independent inquiry and prepare researchers.
- Programs partially meet the profession's need for skilled practitioners.
- Graduate curricula adequately address individual academic needs.
Conclusions:
- Occupational therapy master's programs excel at academic preparation and research development.
- There is a gap in preparing highly skilled practitioners and educators.
- Curriculum adjustments may be needed to better align with professional practice requirements.