BUIES CREEK — In an effort to offer comprehensive health care education programs, the Campbell University Board of Trustees’ Executive Committee has approved a proposal to establish a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) program.
This approval grants the university permission to move forward with the accreditation process as set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), a division of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
The proposed DrOT program will be housed in Campbell’s nationally acclaimed College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. Currently, there are six fully-accredited doctoral occupational programs and eight programs progressing through the accreditation process in the United States.
“Creating a Doctor of Occupational Therapy program solidifies our commitment to health care in North Carolina,” said Michael Adams, incoming dean of the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. “This program will complement our other health sciences programs and enhance our efforts in addressing anticipated shortages of health care professionals in our local area and beyond.”
The development of this proposed program at Campbell would help meet the need for doctorally-prepared occupational therapists created by this requirement. Campbell occupational therapists would also address the shortage caused by an estimated 29 percent growth in the profession between 2012 and 2022, according to the US News & World Report.
Occupational therapy serves as a clear link between primary care programs at Campbell and high demand transitional care complementing the current Doctor of Physical Therapy program, states the official DrOT degree proposal.
The program is proposed to begin fall 2016 pending approval by SACSCOC and ACOTE. It’ll be the sixth doctoral degree offered by Campbell University.
Executive Committee approves Doctor of Occupational Therapy program