Profession moving towards doctoral standard
For 13 years, AOTA and the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) worked hand-in-hand.
This included the development of the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree as the single entry point to the profession, effective August 2017.
In the year-plus since that decision, much has transpired, and the ACOTE released a statement last week to clarify, reaffirm, and explain its position.
“Over the last 4 years, ACOTE has expended substantial manpower and financial resources to carefully study the merits and drawbacks of an OTD single point of entry and to ensure that the voices of all stakeholders were heard clearly and in multiple ways,” read the statement’s conclusion. “Over this time, AOTA’s Board of Directors continually expressed support for and approval of the processes which ACOTE utilized as well as the ultimate decision to require OTD as the single point of entry.
ACOTE has acted in the best interests of all parties with our decision for a single point of entry for the occupational therapist and the dual point of entry for the occupational therapy assistant.
ACOTE will continue to support educational programs to meet the growing needs of society and fulfil its potential in the 21st century. We look forward to working with educational programs to ensure quality occupational therapy education to support the preparation of competent occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.”
