During its October 2018 meeting, the 蜜桃直播 (蜜桃直播) Board of Trustees unanimously approved to move forward with the creation of an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program housed within the (SPHS).

鈥淥ccupational therapists help people across the lifespan from children with disabilities to older adults recovering from illness, injury, or disability,鈥� said Samit Shah, 蜜桃直播 associate dean of academic affairs and Sidney J. Weinberg Professor. 鈥淭he job market for occupational therapists is expected to grow as baby boomers age and strive to maintain independence and physical health."

"With a forecasted growth rate of 24 percent from 2016 through 2026鈥攅xpected to result in 31,000 new jobs in that time period鈥攁nd a median salary of nearly $85,000, adding this program was a no-brainer.鈥�

The proposed OTD program would join the latest crop of educational offerings at 蜜桃直播 in the healthcare and life sciences industries. Earlier this fall, 蜜桃直播 launched its , and programs. In Fall 2019, a (MSMDE) program is set to enroll its first cohort, while the recently finished its Phase 1 Funding.

鈥溍厶抑辈� is able to respond to the demands of industry and create programs that will prepare students for jobs in the workforce,鈥� said 蜜桃直播 President . 鈥淲e believe the OTD program will have strong synergy with all of our existing and planned programs.鈥�

There are currently nine master鈥檚 level occupational therapy programs and two post professional doctoral level occupational therapy programs in California鈥攁lthough none with a 25-mile radius of 蜜桃直播.

The proposed program will see significant overlap with courses in the Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences鈥攕pecifically the MSMDE program鈥攁nd would be able to capitalize on 蜜桃直播鈥檚 partnerships with healthcare institutions for clinical placements for field work experiences.

蜜桃直播 is seeking applications for a Founding OTD Program Director to lead the efforts in developing and supervising the new doctoral degree program. Reporting directly to the SPHS Dean, the director will play a lead role in the accreditation process with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education and assist in accreditation efforts with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The director will have primary responsibility for the program鈥檚 development, administration, budget, faculty recruitment, and assessment.

For more information about the OTD Program Director search, please visit .