subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Wed, Jan 07 2009 

Published: April 29, 2008 09:15 am    print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

EKU graduate program ranks 24th in nation

Bryan Marshall
Register News Writer

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.

print this story   email this story   comment on this story  

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.



monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Busy Auto Repair/Tire Shop needs
Busy Auto Repair/Tire Shop needs Store/Service Manager Call Miller Tire & Auto Care at 623-4520....>MORE

Liquor World, 239 EKU Bypass, is
Liquor World, 239 EKU Bypass, is Accepting
application for stockers,
cashiers,. M-F 10-6pm
...>MORE

Now Hiring
Experienced Tower Climbers needed. Excellent pay. Local work.
Call 337-303-7810.
...>MORE

Mystery Shoppers Earn $100 a day
Mystery Shoppers: Earn up to $100 a day. Undercover shoppers needed to judge retail/dining establishments. Experience no...>MORE

Hair Stylist needed
Kolor Kreation located. 202 Wayne Dr is expanding. A stylist position is availabe. Call 623-7538....>MORE

Drivers: Dedicated Runs! Top
Drivers: Dedicated Runs!
Top Consistent Freight, Miles, Top Pay & Home- Time @Werner Enterprises. 800-346-2818, x15
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Autos

Looking for a Great Auto Deal?
Looking to buy or sell? Check here for the Premium Auto Section. For More Information Call 859-624-6681. ...>MORE

1998 Subaru Legacy. 176,645 miles.
1998 Subaru Legacy. 176,645 miles.
$1800.
859-462-3193.
...>MORE

1998 Mustang for sale.
1998 Mustang for sale.
V-6, automatic. Runs Good. Asking $2800.
Call 623-2560.
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Rentals

Luxury Homes: Rent/Lease w/Option To
Luxury Homes: Rent/Lease w/Option To Buy!!! $1200-$2000 mo. Call Beth Rice w/R. Foley Realty @ 859-200-0644....>MORE

1 & 3 bdrm apts for rent
1 & 3 bdrm Apts Available
$295 - $695 mo NO PETS. Call 200-8104, 623-1818.
...>MORE

3 Huge Bdrms w/walk-in closets, 2.5 ba,
3 Huge Bdrms w/walk-in closets, 2.5 ba, garage, privacy fence. Huge yard on corner lot in prime location: Argyle Subd. O...>MORE

See all ads

Deal of the Day

Everything from A-Z!!!
Need to sell your bedroom suite, washer and dryer, or even selling an animal? Call Mayme or Melissa at 859-624-6681 to p...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index