WNEU Doctor of Occupational Therapy Class of 2020 Achieves 100% Pass Rate on NBCOT

SPRINGFIELD — The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) posted a 100% pass rate on the NBCOT certification examination for the Western New England University (WNEU) doctor of occupational therapy class of 2020. This is the highest pass rate among OTD programs in Western Mass.

NBCOT is a national, not-for-profit organization that provides certification to more than 180,000 occupational-therapy professionals. NBCOT develops, administers, and continually reviews its certification process based on current and valid standards that provide reliable indicators of competence of occupational-therapy practice. Initial certification from NBCOT is a requirement for licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

According to Dr. Cathy Dow-Royer, chair and director of the doctor of occupational therapy Pprogram at WNEU, “as the first entry-level OTD program to be implemented and accredited in Western Massachusetts, we are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our first cohort of students. I am especially pleased that these results stand as a testament to our student-centered approach to teaching and learning, innovative curriculum design that focuses on transformational inter-professional practice and leadership, numerous traditional and emerging field-work opportunities that provide applied engagement, and a faculty/staff team that is committed to student support and success, as well as academic and scholarly excellence.”

This inaugural WNEU class, consisting of 29 students from 16 states, began their journey in the fall of 2017, and, despite the unexpected field-work cancellations and doctoral experiential delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic last spring and summer, 95% of the class graduated on time in August. The remaining two students graduated in October and February, respectively.