Program-Specific Info / Q's Unaccredited OT Programs

[JOWS6]

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I've been toying with the idea of submitting an application to Elmhurst College in Illinois but I don't know what to make of their unaccredited status. Apparently, the university is in phase 2 of the accreditation process with a final decision "anticipated" during the spring/summer of 2017. Hypothetically, what would that mean for the then-current students or for those who have completed their program? Or would OT certification be deemed "from an accredited institution" from that point on?

Here is more of the jargon on their webpage,:

"The accreditation process for the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program at Elmhurst College through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is a 3 step process. The MOT program at Elmhurst College has been granted candidacy status and given permission to proceed to step 2 (pre-accreditation review). The MOT program is scheduled to submit a full report of self-study on August 1, 2016 with an initial on-site visit anticipatedi n Spring/Summer 2017, upon which ACOTE, based on its decision will either grant or withhold accreditation. ACOTE's accreditation decision will be made before the first class of students enters level II fieldwork in January 2018."

 

[OTfromIT]

Elmhurst College is an interesting situation; learning about their new program, I did a little research - turns out the program director won a service award from the AOTA in 2013 for being on the "Roster of Accreditation Evaluators" from 2004 to 2013. That satisfied me enough that they would get accredited by the time I would graduate to apply there - also, being brand new and unaccredited, I figured not that many people would apply there. (I received an interview request, but had to decline to accept another offer.) They have an information session on Jan. 12 - if you are in the area, you could ask them these questions in person.

 

[OT-TSS]

I've been toying with the idea of submitting an application to Elmhurst College in Illinois but I don't know what to make of their unaccredited status. Apparently, the university is in phase 2 of the accreditation process with a final decision "anticipated" during the spring/summer of 2017. Hypothetically, what would that mean for the then-current students or for those who have completed their program? Or would OT certification be deemed "from an accredited institution" from that point on?

Here is more of the jargon on their webpage,:

"The accreditation process for the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program at Elmhurst College through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is a 3 step process. The MOT program at Elmhurst College has been granted candidacy status and given permission to proceed to step 2 (pre-accreditation review). The MOT program is scheduled to submit a full report of self-study on August 1, 2016 with an initial on-site visit anticipatedi n Spring/Summer 2017, upon which ACOTE, based on its decision will either grant or withhold accreditation. ACOTE's accreditation decision will be made before the first class of students enters level II fieldwork in January 2018."

Did you find anything out?

 

[FutureKidOT]

Did you find anything out?

Hey guys! So I've been going back and forth about Elmhurst as well. I did find out a little more info that isn't on the website.

I volunteer at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, so I get a lot of insight on the local programs from current OTs. So the reason why it is taking so long for Elmhurst to get accredited is because they applied for an MOT accreditation, but since everyone is doing OTD now, they want to switch and get accredited for that instead. Also, a lot of OTs who work at RIC (which is the #1 rehab hospital in the nation) will be teaching at Elmhurst! My supervisor really thinks it is going to be a great program and highly recommends it!

 

[FutureKidOT]

Did you find anything out?

Also, I am personally not applying to the program because of the curriculum. I would check that out before you apply too! Most of the classes are heavily focused on mental health and adult populations (no pediatric courses.) So if that's what you are interested in studying, then go for it!

 

[OT-TSS]

Also, I am personally not applying to the program because of the curriculum. I would check that out before you apply too! Most of the classes are heavily focused on mental health and adult populations (no pediatric courses.) So if that's what you are interested in studying, then go for it!

Thank you for updating me!