Kettering College Doctoral Students Disseminate Knowledge and Insights
April 25, 2024 – Students in Kettering College’s Occupational Therapy doctoral (OTD) program gathered in the auditorium to share their research and knowledge, as well as answer questions and participate in discussions.
As per the OTD curriculum, second-year students collaborate for a year on their chosen topic and present their findings. This scholarly poster presentation marks the end of the didactic portion of their doctoral studies. The second-year students attended the traditional White Coat ceremony later that same day, which signifies their dedication to those they will serve in the profession.
Third-year OTD students presented their capstone projects, which represent a culmination of their knowledge, research, and insights from their didactic work, as well as their year of fieldwork in various locations. Third-year students devote 18 months to their chosen topic for this final doctoral capstone project and collaborate with an OTD faculty member who mentors them.
After a day of presenting and fielding questions from faculty, college leadership, and other students, third-year OTD students attended the pinning ceremony, which is another time-honored tradition of signifying the official beginning of their careers as occupational therapists. Whereas the second-year White Coat ceremony signifies a dedication to the profession, the pinning ceremony is viewed as a completion of the doctoral program requirements and a shift to focus on the people they will serve as occupational therapists.
Some of the final capstone projects presented included:
Incorporating Occupational Therapy into Society Reintegration Programs
Holistic Student Services in Higher Education
Empowering Caregivers of Foster Children to Address Their Children’s Sensory-Related Behaviors
Occupational Therapists’ Role in Supporting the Transition of Youth with Disabilities into Adulthood
The practice of creating a topic and committing to research, collaboration, and formulating insights is a way to prepare students to not only gather knowledge but to share that knowledge in a way that connects with others, much like they’ll be doing in their careers. Dr. Shanese Higgins, Occupational Therapy doctoral program chair, says these advanced knowledge projects give doctoral students “the opportunity to practice dissemination at the professional level.”
Congratulations to all of Kettering College’s OTD students, as they advance to their final year of the program or enter healthcare careers to serve and be an advocate for others.
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