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Occupational Therapy Graduate Schools-381000165100016256077470000-3418840333629000Report on Graduate Schools for Undergraduates Looking for Occupational Therapy Programs ByBridgette FierroForJennifer Blevins-McNaughtonTarleton State UniversityKinesiology Academic AdvisorTable of ContentsIntroductionOverview of AlternativesThe University of El PasoThe University of Southern CaliforniaThe University of North Carolina at Chapel HillCriteriaAdmissionsCostLocationMethodUniversity WebsitesEvaluationConclusion and Recommended Table of FiguresExecutive SummaryIntroductionFor a career as an occupational therapist, graduate school is required. Across the United States there are many graduate programs for occupational therapists, but few students who are aware of them. Unlike undergraduate university programs, where students can attend anywhere as long as they accomplish the criteria needed, for graduate schools students must attend the school that contains the master’s certification for their study, which undergrads do not understand very well for the OT career field. Many undergraduates do not know what Universities supply the program, or what to look for when applying. In this report, future OT students will know what to consider when looking for an OT school and will not be discouraged from adventuring out of state. I will compare the three of many universities that have an OT program, which are The University of Texas at El Paso, Southern California University, and The University of North Carolina to give a little variety of optionsOverview of alternatives I will compare the three of many universities that have an OT program, which are The University of Texas at El Paso, Southern California University, and The University of North Carolina to give a little variety of options. The University in El Paso is the in-state option for students who do not want to pay an extra fee but still have some distance between them and their hometown. Southern California and North Carolina give the out-state option with a few different requirements.CriteriaWhen looking at schools it is important to know what to research. I found the three important topics to consider when choosing a school; the topics being the admission requirements, the cost of tuition and living, and the location.AdmissionsThe admissions part to researching what graduate school to attend is the most important part, considering you must have all requirements to apply. The three graduate schools are very similar when it comes to the requirements. TranscriptBachelor’s DegreePrerequisite classes and 3.0 minimum in class3.0 over all GPAGPALetters of RecommendationObservation HoursCostTuition and living is something you want to look into when it comes to out of state fees and living on campus fees. This topic is important considering financial aid changes when it comes to graduate programs and might not cover living expenses. LocationWhen it comes where a school is you need to consider how safe the campus is, what resources are around campus you can reach, and if it’s suitable to your comfort. MethodAll the information I will be supplying is strictly from the University site of each graduate school I am informing you about when it comes to admissions and cost. For location safety and resources you can find information through the public safety department on campus, news on any crimes going on around campus, and maps for food and shopping resources in reach of the campus.Evaluation UTEPAdmissionsThe University of Texas at El Paso requires a transcript from the current university attending for undergraduate studies. To apple for the program the student must be on the way of completing their bachelor’s degree in their specific major before the beginning of the program. In completing the undergraduate requirements, the student must also complete the prerequisites required by UTEP, which are:Anatomy and Physiology I &IIIntro to PsychologyHuman Growth and Development PsychologyAbnormal PsychologySocial or Behavior science electiveTechnical WritingMedical TerminologyThe lowest grade the University will accept is a B or 3.0 as well as their overall GPA. A Graduate Record Examination, also known as GRE, is required and must have been taken within five years of submitting application. Outside of studies, the student must complete forty hours of observation with an occupational therapist and have proof of documentation and well as three letters of recommendation. Every year twenty-four students are admitted who best meet the requirements. ("Sex Education," Sex Education) (university communications, UTEP's miner village)3066415-25273000494665-33337500CostThe tuition for UTEP is separated into two groups, in-state and out-of-state residency. If your undergrad student is from Texas the out-of-state tuition will not apply to them but is listed for your undergrads who still claim residency out-of-state. In state:Room and Board: $11,675 for 12 months $9,080 for 9 monthsTuition: $6,510 all year $5,508 for fall and spring semesterOut of state:Room and Board: $11,675 for 12 months $9,080 for 9 monthsTuition: $13,942 all year $11,878 for fall and spring semesterThe resident living prices are based on UTEP’s two residential areas. There are many apartment locations near campus student can look for if they do not want to live on campus. ("UTEP Updates: RTS,," UTEP Updates: RTS, Kerbey Projects Add to Construction)LocationThe University of Texas at El Paso is located right by the border of Texas and Mexico. The location of the school is spread throughout the rocky hills of El Paso in the far west side. There are many apartments off campus and the two on campus residential areas available in walking distance of the campus. Next to the campus you have a few fast food restaurants and hospitals all in walking distance as well. The location of the campus has many other resources in close driving distance to meet needs of students. The only issue UTEP requires when referencing to location is safety issues with the border to Mexico and all that is taking place in Juarez. For the campus itself many safety rules are put into place and the DPS on campus keeps very good watch on the campus. Laura Ramos, a student at UTEP, has an interview video from students that attend UTEP as well asking them about their safety and includes information on Juarez. She uses this video to prove with the dangers next to UTEP; the university is still a safe place to attend. The only time Juarez will resemble a problem will depend on what you do off campus. UNCAdmissionsThe admission process to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill requires more requirements. The undergraduate student must present their transcript and be in the process of graduating with a bachelor’s degree before the program begins. There are eight sections of prerequisites that must be completed during the undergraduate studies, which are put into two categories, fixed and flexible.Fixed:Anatomy and Physiology I&IIAbnormal PsychologyStatisticsFlexible:Human / Individual behavior (Lifespan Psychology)Modes of Reasoning ()Social Institutions and Systems (Sociology)Occupation(Internship)The fixed prerequisites are classes that must be completed exactly with no other course to substitute. The prerequisites under flexible do not require a specific class, but classes must meet the description requirements. There is an example of a class for each topic in the listing and the occupation section does not have to be taken for a grade. Undergrads must complete their bachelor’s degree with nothing less than a 3.0 in prerequisites as well as overall GPA. A GRE is required at this university with no particular grade requested. Included with all the academic requirements are letters of recommendation, two essays, document on extra activities (if desired), and an application fee. Student must have three letters of recommendation, one being from an Occupational Therapist and the other two from someone who can comment on the applicant’s professional behaviors. The two essays required are statement of purpose, which must be a page and a half long to two pages in response to the topic: “Reflect on the people, places, and situations that have influenced your decision to study occupational therapy”, along with a reflective statement that must be a page over the experience of the occupation prerequisite. A short one page document can be included to share special skills, achievements, or life circumstances that have influenced the student toward a career in OT. In submitting the application the student must pay a non-refundable fee of $80.00. The number of students admitted is between twenty to twenty-four students who best meet the admission requirements.CostThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill does have an out of state tuition fee that will affect your students attendance cost. Even though the in state tuition does not apply for undergrads at Tarleton, this will show the difference between regular tuition and the tuition for out of state students.In StateRoom and Board: $10,008Tuition: $8,340Out of StateRoom and Board: $10,008Tuition: $31,122As you can see the tuition for an out-of-state resident jumps substantially about $22,000 just in tuition and fees. The room and board will only be affected if the student decides to find an apartment off campus or any other living residence.LocationThe university resides in the town of Chapel Hill which is located in Orange County, in the north central portion of North Carolina. There are many resources available in the Chapel Hill area. Other than UNC they have many other public schools in the area, shopping centers, theaters, and restaurants. Chapel Hill offers many other resources to students living off campus, such as a bus schedule to class and accessible parking. The university itself has no serious crime rates when it comes to violence but the only issue that has increased is larceny. Overall the campus of UNC is found to be a very safe place crime wise and reliable for resources. USCAdmissionsThe University of Southern California has a shorter recommendation requirement list. USC requires a transcript from the student’s undergrad university and the completion of their bachelor’s degree before the beginning of the program. There are seven prerequisites required to attend USC which are:Anatomy and physiology I&IIStatistics Development/ Human Development PsychologyAbnormal PsychologySociologyMedical TerminologyIn these classes you must have a 3.0 grade at the least, as the same for the students overall GPA. USC requires the GRE to be taken with scores of 153 on the verbal, 144 on the quantitative, and 3.5 on the writing portion at the least. There are three letters of recommendation needed, one from a therapist, professor and one from a professional who can speak about your capabilities and achievements. There is also a personal statement required based on the prompt: “Describe a significant experience, achievement or personal characteristic that demonstrates why you would be an effective occupational therapist”. USC does not require that the applicant have volunteer hours with an occupational therapist, but it would be beneficial to get hours in for the personal statement. The admissions site does state that if the GPA or GRE scores are slightly not met, there is still a way to be considered for the program when applying.CostThe University of Southern California does not have an out-of-state tuition fee. Since there is not an out of state fee to worry about, the numbers compared will be for a full-time student taking eight to fourteen units per semester and a full-time student taking fifteen to eighteen units per semester. Eight to Fourteen UnitsRoom and Board: $15,900Tuition:$29,460Fifteen to Eighteen UnitsRoom and Board: $15,900Tuition: $43,722According to the occupational therapy class schedule there are a few semesters where they require eighteen units and some where they require less than five. Keep both prices in consideration because there may come a semester when the student will have to take more than fourteen units.LocationUSC is located in Los Angeles, California; the university itself is spread out amongst the University Park. Being in a busy city like Los Angeles, a small issue faced is traffic, but there are plenty of resources close to campus in walking and driving distances. The USC Department of Public Safety (DPS) is one of the largest campus public safety departments in the United States employing 293 full-time personnel and 30 part-time student workers. The campus itself is protected with the DPS; the only thing to worry about is going off campus with the busy city.ConclusionWhen looking through the criteria of admissions, cost, and location among The University of Texas at El Paso, The University of North Carolina of Chapel Hill, and The University of Southern California it is easy to notice the similarities and differences. The main similarity will be found in the admission process. All three schools require you supply a transcript, a GRE test taken within the past five years, must have completed or in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree as well as the prerequisites given and a 3.0 GPA overall as well as prerequisite classes. The only differences between the three universities are a few prerequisites, volunteer requirements and essays required. The cost is shown in the graph above, showing the dramatic difference in tuition with no fees to tuitions with fees. The University of Southern California shows to be very high in expenses when compared to UTEP, but is less expensive compared to The University of North Carolina. The University of Texas at El Paso is the cheapest school when it comes to tuition, regardless of in state or out of state residency, and room and board. Location doesn’t necessarily point to UTEP as the safest place to attend, even though proven safe by students themselves. UNC would be considered the safest area between the three universities because of the area surrounding the university does not show danger like the busy city of Los Angeles or the drug cartel going on in El Paso. Each school has a pro and a con, UTEP’s pro is cheapest tuition and room and board and their con is Juarez. UNC’s pro is the safety of location and the con is the tuition fee. USC’s pro is that there is no out of state fee, but the con would be both the crazy city and the expensive tuition and room and board. RecommendationThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill would be the best recommendation I could offer to a student. I find safety to be the most important criteria after admission and since UNC does not have an hours criteria for volunteer hours or GRE test that should help the student focus more on the prerequisites needed. This university still ends up cheaper than USC when you consider the room and board added to the tuition, making UNC the middle school in total cost but first in safety. Though if these schools are not an interest for your student allow them to research more schools in Texas and in other states using these criteria’s to figure out which university would be best suited for them and affordable. Image and Photo Citation(2013, August 07). UTEP Updates: RTS, Kerbey Projects Add to Construction [Web Photo]. Retrieved from Education [Web Photo]. Retrieved from communications. (Photographer). UTEP's miner village [Web Photo]. Retrieved from ................
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