Whitworth Launches Fast Track Occupational Therapy Doctorate Pathway
This innovative pathway allows qualified undergraduate students to begin doctoral-level occupational therapy coursework during their fourth year at Whitworth, enabling them to earn both a bachelor's degree and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree in six years rather than the traditional seven.
Students complete three years of undergraduate study while fulfilling occupational therapy prerequisites and shared curriculum requirements. During what would traditionally be their senior year, they begin the first year of Whitworth's OTD program. Upon completion of that year, students receive a bachelor of arts degree in the major of their choosing and then continue seamlessly into the final two years of the doctoral program.
"The Fast Track OTD pathway creates tremendous value for students," says Katie Ericcson, assistant professor of occupational therapy. "Students can save a full year of tuition and living expenses, enter the workforce a year earlier, and graduate with the highest credential available in the profession."
The pathway reflects a changing landscape in occupational therapy education. While master's degree programs remain a common route into the profession, Whitworth's new track allows students to complete a doctoral degree in approximately the same amount of time many students would spend earning a bachelor's degree followed by a master's program.
A key advantage of the pathway is flexibility. Students can major in a variety of undergraduate disciplines, including health science, psychology, education and other fields, while completing the necessary prerequisites for admission to the OTD program.
The pathway also provides an "off-ramp" for students whose career interests evolve. Participants who choose not to continue into the doctoral program can complete a traditional four-year bachelor's degree in their chosen field.
Students in the pathway receive continuous advising and mentorship throughout their undergraduate years, helping them navigate prerequisites, academic planning and the transition into graduate study.
University leaders believe the new model will strengthen the pipeline into Whitworth's occupational therapy program while helping address workforce demand for occupational therapists.
"Occupational therapy isn't always a profession that high school students know a lot about," says Mike Ediger, dean of the School of Health Sciences. "But once students learn about the impact these professionals have on people's lives, interest grows quickly. This pathway removes barriers and gives students a compelling option to earn a doctoral degree without spending additional time in school."
The Fast Track OTD pathway is available to students pursuing approved undergraduate majors who complete program prerequisites and meet admission requirements for Whitworth's Doctor of Occupational Therapy program.
About Whitworth University:
Since 1890, Whitworth University has provided an education worth seeking. Whitworth is a private, residential, Christ-centered liberal arts institution in Spokane, Wash. We carry out our mission to provide an education of mind and heart through rigorous intellectual inquiry guided by Christian scholars committed to excellent teaching and to the integration of faith and learning.
Recognized as one of the top colleges and universities in the West, Whitworth has an enrollment of about 2,500 students and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Trisha Coder, associate director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.
