Hi mc3925,
I'm a current MSOT student from Stanbridge and I was reading that you and a couple of prospect students are worried about the regional accreditation. I've brought this topic up to the professors and the regional accreditation does not affect job opportunities. The main difference between regional and national accreditation is the transfer of class credits. Stanbridge University is accredited nationally by Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). I was on campus when ACOTE was accrediting our school and when we got the news we were accredited nationally. In the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) states that some doctorate programs require regionally accreditation BUT if the school does not have regional accreditation, the ACOTE will determine your doctoral degree will review your process [Source:
AOTA, (p. 5)]. If you are planning on going for your doctorate, then look into the schools that you want to go to and see if they require regional accreditation.
Also I just finished my fieldwork 2A and all the OTs I've talked to stated that employers are only look for three things: 1) if you are registered and licensed to practice, 2) your experience in the setting (pediatrics, outpatient/inpatient, etc...)., and 3) your availability. They do not really look at the school you come from or if it is accredited (not that I have hear of). Also some of my classmates got job offerings after they finished their fieldwork. Additionally, occupational therapist are in high demand so I would not be worried about finding a job (I already have recruiters reaching out to me about job opportunities).
If you are trying to get a doctorate, a doctorate program requires you to conduct your own research study or project (which is similar to the thesis research/projects we do at Stanbridge). Some of the OTs I have talked to stated that there is no increase in pay just because you have a doctorate. Having a doctorate may be helpful if you plan on teaching in a OT program or if you want to be called Doctor. Stanbridge MSOT program does have a requirement to certain amount of professors with PhDs or doctorates versus having a BA, BS, or Masters to teach. If I remember correctly, 75% professors teaching need to have PhD or doctorate to hire other 25% of OTs with only their BA, BS, or Masters). There is talk going around that the profession of OT may bump up their requirement from a masters to a doctorate. As long as you graduate and get licensed/registered before the OT profession changes their requirement to a doctorate, you are in the clear.
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I hope you and other prospective students found this helpful! Good luck and I hope everyone's interview goes well!
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