Program-Specific Info / Q's Research vs Clinical Based Programs

[Inkblots]

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I'm applying next year, but I see a lot of talk of research based vs clinical based OT programs. Can anyone explain the difference to me? Such as how the programs are tailored or what to expect? When I think research based, all I think of is writing papers for two years straight. One of the schools I'm interested in is TWU, if anyone is a current or past student.

 

[Sawyer95]

This was a big question I had as well! I just got accepted to Wash U and will begin school next fall.

As far as I can tell, I guess the emphasis of the program (whether it be research or clinical) may vary. This variance may help you find a school that aligns with your long-term goals.

Research-based schools would be programs that not only conduct empirical research within the field, but encourage students to get involved-- one way or another. A clinical-based school is supposedly more focused on what matters to the majority of people going into OT-- becoming an OT and having experience in the field. The important thing to remember is that most schools incorporate both into their curriculum.

If you think of a chemist, there are those who conduct research, publish papers, etc. , work in academia, and probably have a higher level of education or training suited to research. Then, there are also those who do "real" or "applied" chemistry and work in more industrial places. I think any area of science (including OT) works this way. There are researchers and there are practitioners. There are OTs that work in academia or research or hospitals or schools, etc. etc. etc.

However, the cool thing about OT is that you can be and do both! I don't mean to talk up the school I am going to; I am just very excited! If you look on Washington University's website, they have a clinical AND a research track for both MSOT and OTD students. But even if you choose one track, you still have the opportunity to participate and gain skills in the other area. Many of the OTs I shadowed seemed to be very wary of schools that place too much emphasis on research. They were concerned that students missed out on important hands-on experiences outside the classroom (or lab). But I know for me, I would like to be involved in research and perhaps return to academia. This wasn't their path, so I can understand how a research program might seem like a waste of time. (And honestly, if the schools have comparative NBCOT pass rates, retention rates, and placement rates, I don't know how big of a difference it makes.)

I would begin by asking programs that you are interested in about their opportunities for students to get involved in research. You can also ask about clinical site placement, and look at their curriculum to see how much time you will be spending in Fieldwork.

I toured a school with a small-ish average cohort size (30 students). When I asked the person giving a tour (granted, he was not a faculty member nor a student) about research, he did not really have an answer beyond "well, I am sure that students who go through our program will have all the skills they need to do everything required in the field." I did not find this to be a satisfactory answer, so I ended up emailing some faculty about their research. It is important to contact the people you will realistically be interacting with who are in the field-- sometimes admissions people don't have the best or most accurate answers.

OKKKKK--- If any current students or OTs could back me up or correct any misinformation, that'd be great.

I hope you find a school that is a great fit!

 

[OThopeful97]

I have the same question as well! To those who are currently in a research-based program--do you feel like it is beneficial to becoming an OT and how so? Or does it just seem like extra work if you're not planning to go into research/teaching?

The two programs I'm considering right now are very different. One is clinical-based and the other is research-based. The research-based school is ranked higher but is also more expensive.

 

[elischeesecake]

This was a big question I had as well! I just got accepted to Wash U and will begin school next fall.

As far as I can tell, I guess the emphasis of the program (whether it be research or clinical) may vary. This variance may help you find a school that aligns with your long-term goals.

Research-based schools would be programs that not only conduct empirical research within the field, but encourage students to get involved-- one way or another. A clinical-based school is supposedly more focused on what matters to the majority of people going into OT-- becoming an OT and having experience in the field. The important thing to remember is that most schools incorporate both into their curriculum.

If you think of a chemist, there are those who conduct research, publish papers, etc. , work in academia, and probably have a higher level of education or training suited to research. Then, there are also those who do "real" or "applied" chemistry and work in more industrial places. I think any area of science (including OT) works this way. There are researchers and there are practitioners. There are OTs that work in academia or research or hospitals or schools, etc. etc. etc.

However, the cool thing about OT is that you can be and do both! I don't mean to talk up the school I am going to; I am just very excited! If you look on Washington University's website, they have a clinical AND a research track for both MSOT and OTD students. But even if you choose one track, you still have the opportunity to participate and gain skills in the other area. Many of the OTs I shadowed seemed to be very wary of schools that place too much emphasis on research. They were concerned that students missed out on important hands-on experiences outside the classroom (or lab). But I know for me, I would like to be involved in research and perhaps return to academia. This wasn't their path, so I can understand how a research program might seem like a waste of time. (And honestly, if the schools have comparative NBCOT pass rates, retention rates, and placement rates, I don't know how big of a difference it makes.)

I would begin by asking programs that you are interested in about their opportunities for students to get involved in research. You can also ask about clinical site placement, and look at their curriculum to see how much time you will be spending in Fieldwork.

I toured a school with a small-ish average cohort size (30 students). When I asked the person giving a tour (granted, he was not a faculty member nor a student) about research, he did not really have an answer beyond "well, I am sure that students who go through our program will have all the skills they need to do everything required in the field." I did not find this to be a satisfactory answer, so I ended up emailing some faculty about their research. It is important to contact the people you will realistically be interacting with who are in the field-- sometimes admissions people don't have the best or most accurate answers.

OKKKKK--- If any current students or OTs could back me up or correct any misinformation, that'd be great.

I hope you find a school that is a great fit!

I will be attending WashU next year, too! I am choosing it because of the opportunity to do research/work in the NICU lab-- a unique opportunity among the schools I had applied to. Since I want to be a NICU clinician, I can't help but feel that any experience, including research, will help me gain experience in that particular specialty. This is definitely a unique situation to me, but you are so right-- ask specific questions to different people within the program and do lots of thinking about where you see your career going! I also asked a lot of questions at different programs about the kinds of clinical and volunteer experiences that students have-- some schools have great opportunities that may well-suit your interests and others may not impress you so much.

Additionally-- follow your gut! There was one school who, during their info session was really emphasizing that they're a clinically-based program, saying their students were doing fieldwork in semester 1 while other schools didn't. However, upon further questioning, they further explained that students would go shadow and practice doing evaluations in that school's already existing SLP lab. I didn't find this very unique once I started talking to other programs about their first semester volunteering and community involvement opportunities and realizing that most programs have some form of this! Some schools will really drive home certain aspects of their program that may not indeed be all that unique to them. That particular school is not yet fully accredited and I had this odd feeling that they were trying to convince us potential students that their program was better/more unique than others in the area (that's where following your gut comes in-- don't be afraid to ask tougher questions, as you will be the one paying major $$$ to attend school!).

It's all about what the best fit for your interests and goals are! There really is no right/wrong answer as long as you pick a school with a good NBCOT passsing rate/graduation rate and job placement rate and that you feel good about.