THE UST Graduate School has introduced a master’s degree in occupational therapy (OT) to meet the growing demand for higher studies in the field.
Dean Marilu Madrunio said the new program was initiated by College of Rehabilitation Sciences Dean Cheryl Peralta, who serves as program leader for the health sciences cluster of the Graduate School.
“It was through her that the feasibility study was made, which revealed that more than 90 percent of occupational therapy graduates expressed their desire to pursue a master’s degree,” Madrunio said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
Twelve students enrolled in the program this semester.
It has also become necessary for the Graduate School to offer a graduate program in OT due to the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHEd) requirement that those teaching professional courses in universities must have master’s degrees.
“In the Philippines, the large number of young professionals driving the economic growth is creating the need for programs that promote good health and wellness, which is basically what occupational therapy is all about,” Madrunio said.
OT is defined as the evaluation and analysis of physical and psychiatric conditions using definite activities, to avoid disability and to push for independent function in all aspects of daily life.
The University’s undergraduate program in OT is recognized by CHEd as a Center of Development (COD). CODs are either public or private higher education institutions that have demonstrated the highest level of standards in the areas of instruction, research, and extension.
PACUCOA accreditation
Meanwhile, the Graduate School is also preparing for Level IV accreditation under the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (Pacucoa). The Pacucoa visits will be on March 12 to 14, 2015, and will cover Master of Arts and Master of Science programs, Master in Business Administration (MBA), MS Pharmacy, MS Medical Technology, and MA in Education.
Some PhD programs will also undergo accreditation for the first time on March 21 next year.
Booming enrollment
The number of enrollees in the Graduate School increased by 9 percent to 1,937 this semester from 1,776 last year, statistics from the Graduate School showed.
The MBA program is the most popular with a total of 223 enrollees this semester, up by 3 percent from 216 last year.
Thirty-six out of 62 graduate programs saw an increase in enrollment. Bianca Kristin A. Taray
