William Woods, Washington University Sign OT Agreement

10/20/2011 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

A new agreement between William Woods University and Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., will assist WWU students who want to enter Washington University’s occupational therapy program.

Occupational therapists provide clinical services to persons of all ages and with a variety of social, psychological, developmental, or physical disabilities. Client-centered treatment focuses both on restoring function for the person as well as creating an enabling environment by removing barriers that limit participation.
 
Students will be required to complete 90 credit hours at William Woods in general undergraduate degree requirements, as well as the prerequisite courses required for entry into Washington University’s program. After completing the William Woods coursework, students may apply to Washington University to complete their graduate degree.
 
Sarah Munns, dean of admissions, said the agreement with Washington University is an “opportunity for students to earn their undergraduate degree at WWU and their graduate degree at Washington University in five years.”
 
Without an agreement, students would spend six years completing the program.
 
“Students who are accepted to the program at Washington University spend what would be their senior year as their first year at Washington University,” explains Bonnie Carr, academic advising director. “Those credits are then ‘transferred back’ to WWU and the student receives their bachelor degree from William Woods.”
 
Dr. Sherry McCarthy, vice president and dean of academic affairs, explained the process leading up to WWU's decision to sign the agreement.
 
“Several faculty and staff went over [to Washington University], toured their facilities, met with students in the program, as well as faculty, and discussed how the program was set up and what the expectations of students are in the program.”
 
Washington University suggests students have their undergraduate degree in psychology or biology, but business, management information systems, and art are also acceptable. William Woods offers all of these undergraduate degrees.
 
Washington University’s School of Medicine offers 14 master’s degree and doctorate programs. Enrollment tops 1,300 students, and the school is ranked as one of the top five in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.