Introduction

A Class of Distance Education students has been accepted into the summer 2009 session. These students are scheduled to graduate in May 2012.
One additional class will be accepted into the Distance Education track. This class would start in the summer of 2010, and be scheduled to graduate in May 2013. Those who are interested in applying to WVU’s Division of Occupational Therapy’s final class of Distance Education students may apply to the Program during the regular application period between November 15, 2009 and February 15, 2010. After this class is accepted, no additional classes/students will be accepted into the Distance Education track.

Those who apply to the Distance Education track in the November 15, 2009 – February 15, 2010, but who are not accepted into the Distance Education track must be aware that no future classes/students can or will be accepted into the Distance Education track due to its discontinuation.

Those interested in applying to the final Distance Education track class must consider the above in making their decision to apply to the Program.

Those interested in Occupational Therapy at West Virginia University may continue to apply to its excellent traditional on-campus track. There are no changes in the traditional on-campus track.

The Distance Education Track is a unique education track designed especially for the experienced and self-motivated individual. This track is open to either: (1) the Occupational Therapy Assistant who has the equivalent of at least one year professional experience; OR (2) the individual interested in occupational therapy who possesses at least a Bachelor degree in any field from an accredited college/university. The later individual does not need to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant.

The majority of work is conducted over the internet. However, students are required to attend regularly scheduled on-campus weekend classes, which are held approximately once a month. Please contact the Division of OT for specifics on weekend requirements, scheduling, etc. Currently, the student starts Year I in the summer II session (typically the last weekend in June), then comes to the Morgantown campus three weeks later for a weekend, and finally once again three weeks later for a final summer session weekend. The Year I Fall session traditionally begins the following weekend. At that point, students comes to Morgantown approximately once a month for on-site laboratory exercises, testing, lab practicals, lecture clarification, presentations, and advising. In general content, this track mirrors the traditional on-campus track.