Published: April 29, 2008 09:14 am      

EKU graduate program ranks 24th in nation

One of Eastern Kentucky University’s 63 graduate programs is receiving national recognition.

EKU’s occupational therapy graduate program is ranked 24th in the country in the recently published U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best Graduate Schools 2009 edition.

“We’ve had this program for about 25 years,” said David Gale, dean of EKU’s College of Health Sciences. “We’ve been recruiting nationally recognized faculty. So, we’re not surprised. We’re extremely pleased.”

“We have sought to have a national ranking in our occupational therapy,” he said. “If you look at all the programs that are above us, they are all research institutions and we’re a teaching institution. So, we’re extremely pleased we’re ranked where we are.”

The rankings are based on the results of peer assessment surveys sent to deans, other administrators and faculty at accredited degree programs.

Respondents rated the academic quality of programs on a five-point scale: outstanding (five points), strong (four points), good (three points), adequate (two points) and marginal (one point).

One-hundred and fifty-two schools or programs were surveyed for the occupational therapy rankings.

Boston University and Washington University in St. Louis tied for first with a score of 4.6.

With a 3.4 score, EKU was ranked 24th, tied with eight other institutions — Creighton University, Duquesne University, Medical University of South Carolina, San Jose University, Texas Women’s University-Dallas, University of New Hampshire, University of Puget Sound and University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.

The occupational therapy curriculum at EKU was established in 1976 and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

During the fall 2007 semester, the program had an enrollment of 102 students.

Students who complete the two-year occupational therapy program are eligible to take the national certification examination given by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and apply for licensure in those states requiring it.

“Occupational therapy is a rehabilitation science that helps patients who often have had strokes or major accidents get ready to be at home or at a workplace with a disability,” Gale said.

Occupational therapists work in a variety of practice settings, including early intervention programs, public schools, rehabilitation facilities, mental health programs, hospitals, industry, assisted living environments, long-term care facilities and hospice.

Gale, who started the program at EKU, said the national ranking will be beneficial for the program in several ways.

“It will help us especially in the recruitment of faculty for the program,” he said. “We have a lot of student applicants, but it will help bring us more highly qualified students. Although, the students are excellent now. It also will help us in obtaining federal and state dollars for the program.”

“Our goal in the next five years is to be ranked in the top 15 of programs in the country,” Gale said. “We now have a master’s program, but we’re looking to put in place an occupational therapy doctoral program for people in the clinical area.”

Bryan Marshall can be reached at bmarshall@richmondregister.com or 624-6691.