(Courtesy of Yeshiva University) Yeshiva University’s new entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy is the first in New York State to admit students this fall.
The program, offered by the University’s Katz School of Science and Health, can be completed in less than three years with just a bachelor’s degree, and graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination sponsored by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
Students will be able to apply their knowledge in the program’s state-of-the-art labs, including a fully functional apartment in the Active Daily Living (ADL) lab, Neurosensory Integration lab, and Modalities lab where students will design assistive technologies to help clients adapt to their environment and improve functional independence. They will also have access to a virtual cadaver lab where students will examine the anatomical and physiological components underlying human motion.
“The program will integrate theory, research and practice to develop caring and competent practitioners,” said Dr. Paul Russo, dean of the Katz School. “The occupational therapy doctorate incorporates the hands-on experiential learning our programs are known for with leading academics and meaningful, real-world fieldwork.”
“Students in the program will develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes of a professional in the field, and an intellectual rigor for translating research into evidence-driven interventions,” said Dr. Nicolaas van den Heever, director of the program and an internationally renowned occupational therapist and researcher. “They also will gain the interprofessional recognition among peers that comes with a clinical doctoral degree.”
Occupational therapy helps people of all ages gain greater independence and confidence in performing the tasks of everyday living. The number of occupational therapy jobs is expected to grow nationwide by 18% over the next eight years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and occupational therapy is listed among the best 20 health care jobs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Located at Yeshiva University’s Rousso Building in the Bronx, the program has been granted candidacy status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
“The entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy represents the new standard of excellence in clinical practice,” said Dr. Russo. “The program aligns perfectly with the Katz School’s commitment to make our world smarter, safer and healthier.”
To learn more about the program, visit https://www.yu.edu/katz/programs/graduate/occupational-therapy.
