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Valparaiso University Launching New Doctoral Degree

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The College of Nursing and Health Professions at Valparaiso University will expand its degree offerings with the development of an online, post-professional, occupational therapy, doctoral program, available to students in summer 2019.

“We are excited to offer an online, occupational therapy doctorate to professionals currently working in the field who are seeking that important additional credential,” said Mark L. Biermann, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “This program builds on a strong legacy of success in health care education at Valparaiso University and continues our commitment to providing student-focused, market-driven academic programs that lead to lifelong success.”

Valparaiso University has been a leader in higher education since 1859. Over the past several years, the College of Nursing and Health Professions has significantly expanded their program offerings with the first doctor of nursing practice in the state of Indiana, along with accelerated master’s programs in physician assistant studies, public health and health administration. The addition of the post-professional occupational therapy doctorate (PP-OTD) represents the second doctoral degree at Valpo. This online degree consists of 32 credits for those with a master’s degree and 42 credits for those with a bachelor’s degree.

The post-professional occupational therapy doctorate (PP-OTD) at Valparaiso University prepares occupational therapists for roles in mentorship, in scholarship, in academic communities and in health care organizations. This program will provide students with the opportunity to work collaboratively on the design and implementation of research. Students will also better understand the strategies used to address issues of ethics, policies and laws that impact the practice of occupational therapy in the dynamic health care environment.

Designed to move cohorts through the curriculum one course at a time in as little as 18 months, the PP-OTD program will enable working professionals to acquire new knowledge prior to moving on to the next course. This approach will allow students time to deeply address each course and apply newly learned concepts into their current practice.

Developing academic programs that provide strong career opportunities for students is one of several strategies outlined in Valpo’s strategic plan, aligned with the priority to model high-quality holistic education.