As the 73 million baby boomers in the U.S. continue to age, the need for occupational therapists will grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2021 and 2031, occupational therapist jobs will increase by 14%, a rate faster than the average career field, with an estimated 18,600 new positions opening.
As new technology is assisting occupational therapy’s core mission of improving clients’ ability to perform everyday tasks, the field is returning to its founding principles of providing holistic services that incorporate health promotion and mental health care. This role has positioned occupational therapists as an emotional resource when the entire medical field is struggling with pandemic burnout.
New program for occupational therapists
Carlow University established a new Occupational Therapy Program, offering either a master’s or a doctorate degree. The master’s degree will ensure graduates are prepared with excellent clinical skills and can be completed in two years. The entry-level doctorate degree has an additional research component and can be completed in as few as eight semesters. Offering both points of entry increases accessibility to the profession, which is in alignment with the mission of the Sisters of Mercy who founded Carlow University. The first cohort of 21 students started in the Fall of 2022.
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