ALMA — Alma College has partnered with the University of Michigan-Flint to create a pathway for students to pursue graduate degrees in UM-Flint’s Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, setting students up with skills to find a rewarding career that is increasingly in demand.
Leaders from both institutions met on Alma’s campus Friday, Sept. 20, to sign the direct admission program agreement, reserving two seats for Alma students in UM-Flint’s OTD program.
As part of the agreement, Alma will nominate two qualified candidates for guaranteed, conditional acceptance every year for the next five years. Students will be required to submit applications, maintain satisfactory grades and conduct themselves appropriately.
Alma College Provost Sean Burke said he was pleased to partner with UM-Flint for the opportunity to fulfill Alma’s mission of preparing graduates to engage in a competitive job market.
“This is a great opportunity for two well-regarded programs to come together and meet the needs of students, as well as the job market in Michigan,” Burke said. “By providing graduates of Alma College with direct admission into doctorate programs like those offered by the University of Michigan-Flint, they are getting the best of what both institutions can offer.”
Occupational therapists are increasingly in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the field is projected to grow 11 percent from 2023-33, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 9,800 openings for occupational therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
“For many years, we’ve seen successful students from the Alma College Integrative Physiology and Health Science (IPHS) program move on to have wonderful experiences with UM-Flint’s OTD program,” said Brianna Harfmann, associate professor of IPHS at Alma College. “I see this agreement as codifying an existing partnership between our two institutions, one that has been mutually beneficial for a long time and will continue to be so in years to come.”
UM-Flint’s OTD program is the first entry-level program in the state; meaning that it is the highest level of academic preparation that an entry-level occupational therapist can obtain. The OTD program can be finished in three years and provides preparation for the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy exam.
“This is a big step forward in the ongoing collaboration between our two institutions,” said Julie Jacob, UM-Flint’s Clinical Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Interim Director of Academic Programs at the College of Health Sciences. “UM-Flint is not only recognizing the high caliber of Alma students, we’re making a commitment to their future success in a field that is so critical to improving the quality of life for individuals in our state.”
