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Omaha, Nebraska - The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program at Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) received a 10-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
“I am extremely proud of our occupational therapy department and their hard work and dedication throughout the accreditation process,” said Kendra Craven, dean of health professions at NMC.
“Dr. Melissa Kimmerling, the occupational therapy program director, did an amazing job of taking the lead on this process and making sure everyone knew what their role was, and the team really came together to do their part. In fact, the entire college came together to do their part. This award is not just for the OT department, it is for the entire college. Many people had a hand in this process and we all have a lot to celebrate.”
The on-campus and online hybrid MOT program can be completed in 24 months. Graduates learn therapeutic, technical and critical thinking skills that allow them to provide compassionate care to patients.
“The program is positioned well to continue to grow its impact on the health and well-being of the community. With a shortage of occupational therapy professionals being projected to increase for all 50 states through 2030, the demand for this program remains high,” Kimmerling said. “We believe this degree offering is the best match for our institution and positions the College as a unique opportunity within the community. We are proud of our 100% NBCOT pass rate and high student and employer satisfaction.”
At its meeting in August 2023, ACOTE reviewed the on-site evaluation report for NMC’s MOT program, and all standards were found to be compliant.
Noted strengths of the program included, forward-thinking leadership with a strong commitment to providing resources for the program, the program director’s mentorship fostering a culture of support, passionate faculty acting as role models, the organization of the academic fieldwork coordinator, professional students and recent graduates, community partnerships and the availability of student support services and academic technology.
“None of this could have been possible without the support of a strong occupational therapy team of faculty, persistent students and a supportive administration,” said Kimmerling.
A 10-year accreditation is the maximum term awarded by ACOTE, demonstrating that a program has no areas of concern or non-compliance.
“Compliance with the accreditation standards demonstrates that the program provides quality education that prepares graduates to be successful on the licensure examination and in entry-level practice,” said Kimmerling.
Students are required to graduate from an accredited program to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. Successful completion of the exam is required for licensure in occupational therapy in all 50 states.
“We are proud of the outcomes this program has achieved since its launch in 2016, and believe this accreditation status and term reflect our successes,” Kimmerling said.
ACOTE’s report noted four suggestions to enhance the program. The organization recommended that the MOT program evaluate student progress using summative assessments to reflect real-world practices, explore learning opportunities to enhance students’ skills in using assistive technology for rural and low-resourced communities, explore opportunities for collaborative learning with other health professions on campus and provide more diverse fieldwork experiences for students to stay in alignment with the College’s mission of serving underserved communities.