April 22, 2024
For immediate release
Contact: John V. Cardone
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Carlow University
Cell – (407) 615-1828
ACOTE Grants Carlow University’s MS in OT a Status of Accreditation for a Period of Seven Years
Pittsburgh, Pa. – Carlow University’s Master of Science (MS) in Occupational Therapy (OT) has received accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) for a period of seven years.
“Accreditation is a status granted to a program that meets or exceeds the minimum stated criteria of educational quality,” said Dr. Terrance Anderson, OTD, MS, OTR/L, from Western Kentucky University, who was the team leader during the on-site visit by ACOTE’s team. “The purpose of accreditation is to assure quality of a program, and to assist in the ongoing improvement of the program through self-study and external review.”
The on-site visit’s report commended Carlow’s administration for its “Mercy Principles cultivating a mission-enriched environment for the launching of a thriving occupational therapy program,” the program director for “creating a cohesive team, student-centered program, and dynamic curriculum that weaves together Carlow University’s values, occupational therapy curriculum, and program culture creating a cohesive hospitable student Discovery experience infused in Mercy,” and an overall program that renders students “well-prepared for the challenges of real-world practice.”
The fact that the on-site visit team noticed and applauded these qualities is important for both affirming the philosophy of the university and helping students achieve an outstanding level of care for their patients.
“As part of Carlow’s OT program, it is our desire to help students transform into a person-centered health care provider and socially conscious citizen,” said Erin Phillips, OTD, MSOT, OTR/L, DipACLM, associate professor and founding chair of Carlow’s Occupational Therapy program. “It is gratifying that ACOTE has recognized the qualities that make Carlow’s OT program excel.”
As a result of this accreditation, Carlow University MSOT graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR).
According to ACOTE, when an occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, it is:
- An assurance to the public that the educational program reflects current knowledge and practice and that the educational program is interested in the quality of their offerings.
- An assurance to the students that: the educational program will meet their needs.
To be eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam, OTR candidates must graduate with an entry-level occupational therapy degree from an ACOTE accredited occupational therapy (OT) program.
For more information about Carlow’s Occupational Therapy program, please visit: MS in Occupational Therapy – Pittsburgh, Pa – Carlow University or email Admissions@carlow.edu or call (412) 578-6059.
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About Carlow University
Carlow is a private, co-educational, Catholic university that is located at the hub of Pittsburgh’s most cutting-edge industries. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1929, Carlow’s curricula and partnerships reflect its strong commitment to social justice; ethical, forward-thinking and responsible leadership; and impactful service to the community. At Carlow University we strive to create an experience that is not only life-changing, but world-changing. We are creating generations of ethical leaders, who not only have the skills to be pioneers in workforce development, healthcare, education, business, the arts, and service, but the empathy and spirit to create meaningful societal changes. Carlow University is a brand of education that doesn’t exist anywhere else in higher education, but its impacts can change the course of our future. Rooted in unity and healing and led by compassion, we are redefining what a leader looks like —and it looks like a Carlow graduate.
