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Document Type (Journals)

Original Research

Abstract

There are limited studies within occupational therapy literature assessing the outcomes of advanced degrees. Specifically, there is a scarcity of literature about the benefits of completing a post-professional occupational therapy doctorate (POTD) program. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively examine graduates’ professional and personal outcomes at a midwestern university with an established POTD program. A total of 64 graduate exit surveys completed by POTD graduates between the years of 2008 and 2017 were analyzed using a mixed methods research design. Emergent categories from the data included a greater sense of self-empowerment and confidence, expanded career opportunities, and increased professional knowledge and skills. Quantitative data indicated new employment opportunities and increased pay. Overall, graduates reported increased personal and professional growth, however continued research regarding the benefits of completing a POTD is needed to help guide occupational therapists considering an advanced degree.

Biography

Nichole M. Morrow, OTD, OTR/L graduated from Creighton University with her Post-Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy. She received her Master of Occupational Therapy from Maryville University of St. Louis in 2008. She is currently working as a school-based occupational therapist in Florida.

Barbara A. Townsend, OTD, OTR/L graduated from Creighton University with her Post-Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy She received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from St. Ambrose University in 1997. She is currently working as a school-based occupational therapist in Iowa.

Vanessa D. Jewell, Ph.D., OTR/L is an assistant professor and vice chair of the occupational therapy department at Creighton University.

Angela Lampe, OTD, OTR/L is an assistant professor at Creighton University.

Yongyue Qi, MS is an assistant professor at Creighton University.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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