Difference between professional and occupational education programs




















To clear up any lingering confusion, there is a difference between the post-professional and entry-level doctoral programs in Occupational Therapy OTD. Silverman said that might have been an interesting idea when it was first proposed 20 years ago, but by the time some institutions got around to actually trying to put it into practice, it was not well received by many clinicians and faculty members across the country.

The board recommended continuing to offer multiple points of entry. That being said, how does a post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy and an entry-level doctorate in occupational therapy differ?

Silverman offered the following points: Most entry-level OTD programs: Add a third full-time year as an on-campus student which extends the time students are unable to work and earn an income. Students complete a scholarly capstone project in which students themselves choose the setting, area of specialty, and project type with close faculty mentor support. Students gain and actually practice important skills needed to hold an academic position, including higher education teaching, leadership, advocacy, and scholarship.

Graduating students are immediately ready to assume a leadership role in clinical practice or obtain a position in academia. However, there are some who have that special spark who want to go further, who feel themselves ready to advance further more quickly.

Generally, many of the clients in physical therapy come from accidents, post-surgical procedures, or chronic conditions. Examples of some common injuries physical therapists can help with are arthritis, sprains, muscle strains, back and neck pain, and fractures. Physical therapists are trained to teach helpful exercises to restore movement and other exercises that improve practical, everyday movement for people that require adaptive equipment.

They are also trained to supervise exercises that improve the strength and mobility of damaged joints. Due to the expansive skillset and diverse set of ailments that physical therapists are trained for, their day-to-day activities can differ greatly.

On the same day, a physical therapist could treat an injured athlete as well as an individual recovering from a stroke. Physical therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practices, outpatient clinics, home health, schools, sports and fitness facilities, work settings, and skilled nursing facilities. According to the BLS , it is projected that there will be 54, physical therapy job openings by Two of the main issues driving up the demand for physical therapy are increasing cases of obesity and diabetes.

A large number of physical therapists are needed to help those individuals strengthen and improve regular body motion. Advancements in the medical field drive up the demand for physical therapy careers, as well. Doctors have become more adept at treating serious trauma and birth defects, leaving physical therapists with a lot of pertinent physical rehabilitation and training to do once individuals are released from the care of a hospital.

If you are debating physical therapy vs occupational therapy, it is important to see which field appeals to your professional interests. If you are someone who could focus on and treat a specific impairment such as an orthopedic injured joint or has an interest in movement and mobility, then you might want to choose a career in physical therapy.

Take into account the similarities and core differences between the two professions outlined above. Which of those responsibilities strikes you as important or rewarding? Do any miss the mark in regard to your areas of interest? Also, to get an idea of what each career path will offer, take a look at some degree programs and requirements for admission for each of these two professions.

All of these details should help you make an educated, informed decision on your potential career path. Occupational therapy is a very promising profession. Career and technical colleges provide training for occupations, as do community colleges. Some institutions carry both names, as is the case with the Minneapolis Community and Technical College, where certificates and associate degrees are offered in a variety of fields including health sciences, law enforcement, information technology and culinary arts.

Sometimes schools offer training in only one field or occupation, such as a fire academy or aviation school. Occupational education is specific training for a particular job. However, while in college you might not be specifically preparing for your profession. You might major in business and become a marketing executive, major in English and become a writer, or major in history and go on to be a lawyer.

An occupation, such as a lab technician, often has prescribed duties whereas a profession, such as an accountant, may leave more discretion to the employee.



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