Project Description: This capstone project focused on the enhancement and promotion of Huntington University’s occupational therapy programs. The student developed a needs assessment and proposed recommendations after reviewing ACOTE standards (AOTA, 2023). At the end of the project, the deliverables included a program enhancement proposal, the finalized curriculum review, and an infographic for program advocacy. In efforts to establish course eligibility for credit transfer to the doctoral level to foster continuity from OTA to OTD programs, The curriculum design will be guided by the Occupational Therapy Curriculum Design Framework (AOTA, 2021), which will incorporate the unique values of Huntington University’s values of Christ, scholarship, and service.
Areas of Focus: Administration, Education, and Leadership
The greatest project accomplishment was being hired by Huntington University as “OTD Outreach Specialist” for the HU OTD program. This position allowed me to collaborate with individuals in administrative positions to gain knowledge and experience. My role was to communicate with other universities, prospective students, and incoming students. This position allowed me to effectively increase my understanding of programmatic opportunities and market demand at the OTD level. I was able to attend health fairs and set up booths as partnering universities to spread awareness about HU OT programs. The event planning for “Forester Fridays” will take place and serve as an opportunity for interested students and partnering faculty from other universities to learn more about our program. A formalized needs assessment was created to analyze internal and external pathways at a local and regional level for OTA and OTD education.
Project Completion & Outcomes
Outcome Measure #1:
In order to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge in higher education administration, the student will design a proposal for the purposes of program enhancement of the Huntington University Occupational Therapy programs.
Deliverable: Developed a curriculum review analyzing the overlap of knowledge gained, or demonstrated by students as referenced by the 2023 ACOTE Standards for each the OTA & OTD programs.
- Program Enhancement Proposal
- Curriculum Analysis Review
- Bloom's Taxonomy Resource
Learning Objective #2
In order to increase knowledge in higher education OT, the student will identify courses to provide a recommended action plan for competency and supplemental documents.
- Action Plan located within the Program Enhancement Proposal
This objective was strengthened with having the opportunity to lead and assist with labs for OTD courses including Fieldwork Experience and Older Adult Labs, with a focus on safety and cognition and general older adult settings. These documents were created as resources and supplemental assignments for the students in the class.
Outcome Measure #2:
The student will develop a formalized needs assessment to identify programmatic opportunities, market demand and assess internal and external pathways from OTA to OTD.
- Needs Assessment
- An interactive map highlighting each OTA/PTA school within a 4-hour driving radius. This map includes details about the school, including address, program accreditation status, and website information. This was used to provide an interactive medium for the Needs Assessment.
Learning Objective #1
The student will design, collect, and analyze survey data to understand trends and data related to occupational therapy education at Huntington University.
A survey was created for OTA students/alumni to gain opinions and perspectives on students desiring to go to graduate school. This survey collected information such as grade level, key characteristics that brought students to HU, if they are interested in pursuing OTD, incentives that would increase interest in pursuing grad school, and potential barriers of pursing HU OTD.
The survey was sent to 95 OTA students/alumni, and 38 responded, amounting to a 40% response rate. Quantitative key findings suggest most students were brought to Huntington for a specific program (OTA) and its faith base. Incentives that might increase interest in pursuing OTD include cost reduction for HU OTA students, taking doctoral-level classes during OTA school, and testing out of specific OTD courses. The highest reported potential barrier is cost, followed by duration. Qualitative findings suggest students find HU to be friendly, religious, and community-based. Other findings indicate that OTA students prefer the duties and role of OTA rather than the increased responsibility that comes with the OTD role, as well as the cost and duration of continued education.
Learning Objective #2:
Compile supplemental materials, gathered information, and infographics for program advocacy. The folder containing these resources can be found here.