CUAA’s Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program is on track to achieve full accreditation by December 2024, ensuring students can graduate and sit for certification exams, while continuing to offer innovative curriculum and capstone experiences.
The Occupational Therapy (OT) Doctoral Program at Concordia University Ann Arbor is in the final stages of securing accreditation, marking the culmination of a six-year process. Led by Dr. Juliane Chreston, OT Program Director, the OT program has successfully navigated the accreditation journey and is on the cusp of full recognition from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). With the program nearing this milestone, CUAA continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing top-tier healthcare education.
“We are in the very final stages. We are at pre-accreditation,” explained Dr. Chreston. “We did our self-study, they looked at all the materials, and we met all the standards.”
The Rigorous Path to Pre-Accreditation
The accreditation process has been meticulous, beginning with hiring a program director followed by a formal letter of intent. This milestone marked the start of a detailed, multi-stage process, designed to ensure that the program meets the highest standards of education and practice.
“From start to finish, it’s been about six years,” Dr. Chreston explained. “Each year, only a limited number of OT programs are allowed to enter the accreditation process. Once you submit your letter of intent, it outlines every step, including the timing of your on-site evaluation.”
After reaching candidacy status, Dr. Chreston began hiring faculty and admitting students. The university had to demonstrate it could support the program, with adequate budget, space, and resources to meet accreditation standards.
Just a few weeks ago ACOTE, the accrediting body, conducted a through two-day site visit, ensuring that everything met expectations marking final steps to full accreditation status. “They toured the facilities, spoke with students and faculty, and even interviewed students out on their fieldwork,” Dr. Chreston explained. “The accrediting team really values hearing directly from the students to verify that everything happening on paper aligns with the real experience.”
Preparing Students for Accreditation and Success
One of the key concerns for any healthcare program in the accreditation process is ensuring that students can graduate from an accredited program, which is necessary for them to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam and become licensed practitioners. Dr. Chreston acknowledges the risks that the first cohort of students faced.
“The inaugural cohort took a risk on us especially since we are not fully accredited yet, but in the process of becoming accredited,” Dr. Chreston said. “It is not just us taking a risk on them; the students and their families are taking a risk on us.”
Dr. Chreston’s role on the accrediting board provided her with valuable insights, which bolstered her confidence in CUAA’s journey toward full accreditation. “Being an ACOTE reviewer myself gave me the ability to assure potential students that I understood the process,” she explained. “With each passing year, it became easier to recruit students as we progressed closer to full accreditation.”
One of the program’s biggest challenges, however, was gauging how well the curriculum resonated with students before they had the chance to apply their learning in clinical settings. “We think we’re doing well, but we don’t really know until students get into their clinicals and start putting everything into practice,” said Dr. Chreston.
Fortunately, CUAA’s first cohort has exceeded expectations. Now in their second clinical rotation, the students are thriving. “They’re rocking it,” Dr. Chreston proudly stated. “Most of them were halfway through their first clinicals and already managing full caseloads.”
CUAA’s OT program is on course to achieve full accreditation ahead of the first cohort’s graduation in May 2025. Dr. Chreston anticipates the program will reach this milestone by the end of December 2024, ensuring that students can sit for their certification exams and transition into the workforce without delay.
The Importance of Faculty and Curriculum Development
Building a successful program goes beyond just meeting accreditation standards. “It’s a challenge to teach the students while also developing everything and writing it all out,” she said. “At the time of the self-study, there was a whole year of courses not taught yet but had to be fleshed-out.” Despite the demands, course development is one of Dr. Chreston’s favorite aspects of her role. “I think if you have enough time to think about creative assignments, you can create integrated assignments that address multiple standards.”
Dr. Chreston’s team, composed largely of newer faculty, had not previously been through an accreditation process. However, their dedication and innovation impressed her. “I have amazing faculty, they all did really well during the site visit, and they have been doing a great job with helping with the curriculum.
A key reason Dr. Chreston chose to offer CUAA’s OT program as a doctoral degree was to provide students with a unique 14-week capstone experience, allowing them to explore specialized areas of interest. “This capstone allows students to enter the workforce as entry-level occupational therapists with advanced knowledge in certain areas,” she explained, giving graduates a competitive edge as they seek employment.
Looking Forward: Final Accreditation and Beyond
Dr. Chreston is confident that full accreditation will be granted before the first cohort graduates, ensuring they can take their certification exams without delay. “We will have accreditation before that first cohort will graduate,” she said. Once the accreditation is awarded, the program will receive either a five- or seven-year accreditation term, followed by an interim report and another self-study halfway through the term. She also has plans to let her faculty have a rest, but in January, they will begin reviewing a new set of standards that go into effect in July.
“Knowing the process and being able to clearly communicate it to students, we’re confident and excited about the future,” Dr. Chreston said. “It is exciting to see how these students will break new ground in OT.”
Want in?
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at CUAA will prepare you to serve people across the lifespan to improve their lives through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. You will take part in a variety of clinical and community-based experiences which include individual and group treatment sessions in pediatric and adult populations. At CUAA, we prepare uncommon OTs who are ready to serve their communities and clients.
—This story is written by Keara Chaperon, Social Media Manager for Concordia University Ann Arbor and Wisconsin. She may be reached at keara.chaperon@cuaa.edu.