Save Time, Money with Innovative OccupationalTherapy Accelerated Pathway
The University of Michigan-Flint’s innovative Occupational Therapy Accelerated Pathway (BSHS/OTD) program is a smart and cost-effective choice for students interested in a fulfilling career as an occupational therapist.
The traditional path to an occupational therapy doctorate is seven years. With the Accelerated Pathway, you can complete both a bachelor’s and doctorate in six years and with 31 fewer credits, saving one year of time and tuition.
You will take classes required for the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, including general education courses, occupational therapy prerequisites and health sciences courses during your first three years.
You will apply to potentially enter UM-Flint’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program in your fourth year. If you are accepted, the first two semesters will also work as the final semesters of the bachelor’s degree.
In the three-year graduate program, you will gain the knowledge and skills you need to help patients with an injury or disability perform daily activities. UM-Flint’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program is the first-fully accredited doctorate in the field in Michigan. The doctorate provides more opportunities in leadership, teaching, research and advocacy than master’s programs.
The accelerated pathway doesn’t guarantee acceptance to the Occupational Therapy program. You will need to maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.3 to remain in the program. You will also need to apply to and be accepted to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program.
If you don’t maintain the required GPA in the accelerated program or aren’t accepted to the OTD program, you can transfer to the traditional four-year track to finish your bachelor’s in Health Sciences.
Why Choose UM-Flint’s Occupational Therapy Accelerated Pathway (BS/OTD) Program?
Save One Year of Time and Tuition
This innovative program will save you one year of tuition or a minimum of $13,000. You will also be prepared to enter the workforce and a high-paying career one year sooner.
Small Class Sizes
UM-Flint’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program accepts 40 students each year, which provides many opportunities for individual time with expert faculty at the forefront of their fields.
Innovative Teaching Approach
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate program utilizes a learner-centered teaching approach, which incorporates authentic educational activities and experiences. This transformative approach empowers students to build their confidence and patient-centered health care practice through active hands-on learning in labs, clinics, and community settings. You have the opportunity to participate in HEART, a pro bono student-run clinic for our local community.
Occupational Therapy Accelerated Pathway Curriculum
The Occupational Therapy Accelerated Pathway consists of three years in the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and three years in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program.
The bachelor’s degree requires 93 to 94 credits over three years and includes occupational therapy prerequisites, general education courses and health sciences courses.
Your first year of the Occupational Therapy program is 31 graduate level credits and those credits will be used to complete the bachelor’s degree.
UM-Flint’s OTD program curriculum includes 110 credit hours of in-depth study, which can be completed in 9 semesters (3 calendar years) on a full-time basis.
Review the detailed Occupational Therapy Accelerated Pathway (BS/OTD) curriculum.
Occupational Therapy Careers
Occupational therapy is a fast-growing field in the area of rehabilitation medicine. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of occupational therapists will increase 14% through 2031, much faster than the average employment growth rate in the United States. In addition, occupational therapists can make a competitive salary of $85,570 per year.
With a doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy, you are qualified to pursue the highest level career options in various health care settings:
- Hospital and clinics
- Schools
- Nursing care facilities
- Senior centers
- Private practice
- Military services
Academic Advising for Occupational Therapy Accelerated Pathway Majors
Understanding program requirements, choosing classes, and other aspects of attending college can sometimes seem a little overwhelming. UM-Flint’s expert academic advisors can answer your questions and help steer you on the path to academic success.
Jennifer O’Roark is the dedicated academic advisor for this major. You can contact her at [email protected] or 810-762-3288. You also can make an appointment with her online.
Get Started on the Accelerated Path to an Occupational Therapy Career Today
If you want to get started on the path to earning both a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and an Occupational Therapy Doctorate and want to save one year of time and tuition, apply to the University of Michigan-Flint’s Occupational Therapy Accelerated Pathway (BSHS/OTD) program today. If you have questions, contact Jennifer O’Roark, the program’s academic advisor, at [email protected] or 810-762-3288. You also can make an appointment with her online.