Published November 27, 2013
In Caldwell Hall on the University of Louisiana at Monroe campus, occupational therapy
students are giving the term “distance learning” a brand new meaning. These students
from across the south are enjoying the benefits of ULM’s newest hybrid program.
Students and professors from ULM’s newest occupational
therapy program: Top (L to R): Dr. Patti Calk, Katelyn
Chop, Andrea Dejean, Summer Thomas, and Dr. Carolyn
Murphy. Seated (L to R): Brittany Keen and Danielle Russell
Twenty-seven students in ULM’s first ever cohort of the Occupational Therapy Assistant
(OTA) to Masters of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Bridge Program are creating a new dynamic
in the classroom.
The new program combines online leaning with intensive weekend classes on campus each
month.
The online component prepares for and supplements on-campus activities.
“Our students move through as a cohort, so all of the students are in all of the courses
together. This is our first accepted class,” said Dr. Patti Calk, head of ULM’s occupational
therapy program.
Calk continued, “Our OTA to MOT bridge program was developed to provide practicing
certified occupational therapy assistants an opportunity to earn their master’s degree
in occupational therapy in an innovative manner.”
The hybrid style course gives students a leg up in the classroom and in the workforce.
“Being able to come in for face-to face instruction provides us with great opportunities
for hands on learning,” said Brittany Keen, from West Monroe. “As occupational therapists
we will be working with patients daily, and being able to practice new skills as we
learn them with both our instructors and peers is a great learning experience.”
Students travel to campus one weekend each month for the purpose of hands-on learning
and interactive coursework, and each student takes a minimum of 12 credit hours—the
equivalent of a full-time class load.
Katelyn Chop, a current resident of Fayetteville, Ark., said, “I am so thankful that
this program allows the certified occupational therapist (COT) to work while completing
the coursework. I am unable to quit working and attend classes full-time, but this
program allows me to be enrolled full-time and work full-time.
“The weekend classes have helped me in that I am a visual learner, and being able
to see the instructors demonstrate and having us perform tests and measurements on
each other has been extremely helpful in the learning process.”
Chop travels to the weekend courses and stays with her parents who live in Oak Grove.
“It is beneficial to have the on campus weekend classes because it gives…the instructors
and students an opportunity to interact, ask questions, and teach/learn new information,”
Chop said.
“It also provides the students an opportunity to interact with one another and share
our various experiences ranging from different states, cities, and work environments.”
Many of the students are finding the program to be essential to keep pace with the
growing needs of the field.
Danielle Russell, of Natchez, Miss., received two degrees at ULM.
She returned to further her career in a program that would give her the flexibility
she needed.
“I work part-time as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) at an outpatient
clinic in Natchez,” she said. I am married and have three children. I chose the
ULM OT program because of the flexibility the program has to offer. The option of
completing most of the program online and only having to travel to ULM on the weekends
is great for working students with families.”
“ULM is also recognized in the local therapy community for offering a high quality
education,” Russell continued. “The cost of this program is more affordable than
some other bridge programs I have looked into.”
Calk is enjoying the atmosphere that the professional level courses provide.
“I am thoroughly enjoying teaching these students,” she said.
“They have a strong background in occupational therapy since they are currently practicing
as certified occupational therapy assistants. Their backgrounds are diverse and they
are able to share their varied experience with each other, making for an enriched
learning experience by all.”
Calk’s enthusiasm is seen in the students she teaches.
Andrea Dejean, who travels from Nacogdoches, Texas, to attend classes, chose ULM over
similar programs in Texas not only because of the length of the program, but because
of the rapport she created with Calk.
“Dr. Calk was very encouraging and helpful in answering my questions and I felt very
comfortable going with this program,” said Dejean.
“Now that I am in the program, I know I made the right decision once they accepted
me! Being in the classroom and interacting with the professors and students makes
learning fun. The classroom interaction is the best part.”
With the program taking off and attracting students from across the region, many OTAs
are looking into the program to take the next step in their careers.
Summer Thomas of Decatur, Miss., also one of Calk’s 27 students, encourages those
who want to further their careers to take the leap.
“I would tell someone looking to enter the OT program at ULM to just ‘go for it,”
she said.
“Yes, the experience can be intimidating, scary, and nerve-wracking at times, but
achieving the goal of being an MOT is attainable. [You should] never give up on your
dreams and never doubt that you are not smart enough to be an MOT. I would also tell
[a prospective student] to communicate with ULM’s wonderful faculty, because they
will help you every step of the way.”
For more information on ULM’s OTA to MOT bridge program, visit www.ulm.edu/ot
