Student & Alumni Information
Our Students
Our students are a diverse group of adults who come to Sacred Heart from all around the country. In our classes we have had students from as far as Bermuda, Florida and Delaware and as near as Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts. Our students are males and females, young and old, living at home with their family and living in their own home with their children. They have ranged in age from 22 to 47 and approximately 12% have children of their own. Our students come from varied ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds and our program prides itself in being accommodating for the adult learners who enroll.
Student Research
Through engagement in continual learning and evidence-based practice, students will explain the importance of research in occupational therapy, select appropriate statistics for given research questions, compare and contrast sources of research and their importance, quality and relevance, and critique the research of others. During the program, students are required to analyze scholarly research and Critically Appraised Topics (CATs).
Community-Based Practice
Each of Sacred Heart University's Graduate Occupational Therapy Program students design community programs in small groups. In order to create the programs, they first conduct a thorough needs assessment with the program's population, service providers and important stakeholders. Students then collaborate with all important stakeholders to review the findings of the needs assessment, establish goals and objectives to address needs and design a wellness or prevention program to address un-met needs. Students then implement the programs and conduct program evacuations on program outcomes.
Student Activities
Our students become involved in a variety of activities throughout their time here at Sacred Heart. In addition to their needs assessment and community intervention project, they also complete a research project in connection with a primary faculty member's research interest. An additional integral part of the educational experience are local field trips. These "off-site laboratories" occur frequently as learning opportunities for specialty areas such as assistive technology, splinting, child development and environmental accessibility. Lastly, a variety of special events occur throughout the program that allow for socialization, celebration, professionalization and charity work.
Field Trips
Students in the occupational therapy program often go on fieldtrips to enhance their learning. Fieldtrips include visits to local day care facilities where the students run groups for preschoolers, visits to a hand therapy clinic for practice in splinting and visits to centers for assistive technology where students are exposed to the most up to date technology to assist those with disabilities to be as independent as possible. Fieldtrips have also been taken to facilities for assistive living, senior centers, Hospice and sites for driving evaluations. Fieldtrips occur for volunteer work as well. Students have volunteered at a local fundraising walk for autism, and have visited and raised money for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
Events
Student events include fundraisers in order to attend the national conference each spring, ConnOTA Conferences, events to raise funds for local charities and social events that allow students and faculty to get to know one another. Fundraisers have included car washes, pie and cookie dough sales and a variety of other sales and services. An awards ceremony and reception for students and their families is held prior to graduation.
Alumni
Letters of Reference
When requesting letters of reference from the Sacred Heart University OT faculty, please use this Reference Request Form.