FORT SMITH — The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) School of Occupational Therapy (OT) has been granted preaccreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). This significant accomplishment indicates that ACHE OT, “Appears to meet the accreditation standards if fully implemented in accordance with the plans.” Preaccreditation status allows ACHE OT to move to one of the final steps of the full accreditation process, an on-site visit from the accreditation team on November 4-6, 2024.
A self-study report was submitted in the fall of 2023 and reviewed by ACOTE. Upon review of the report, ACOTE highlighted several strengths for the program including, experienced faculty/staff dedicated to student success, quality curricular design and teaching approach, ample resources to support student learning and faculty/staff professional development, state of the art facilities, and community and OT practitioner support. No issues related to compliance were identified.
“Every member of the ACHE OT faculty and staff contributed to the yearlong self-study and subsequent report,” said Dr. Jennifer Moore, Dean of the ACHE School of Occupational Therapy. “I am overwhelmed by their dedication to the program and its students.”