After attending a large state university, Jeremy Jackson was looking for a smaller campus with small class sizes for graduate school. He found that in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at College of Saint Mary.
“I wanted something a little more personable, where you can easily access and talk to your professors and classmates instead of being in those big lecture halls where it’s 300-plus people,” he said.
The Colorado native appreciated the program’s location and cost, too. CSM’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate program focuses on the development of clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development. In addition, students must complete two 12-week fieldwork experiences along with a 14-week doctoral experience that culminates in a scholarly project.
Jeremy chose occupational therapy for its creative aspect. “I like being hands-on when doing things, especially when teaching patients or helping them learn new mechanisms or techniques to care for themselves or heal their bodies,” he said. “But it’s also fun when you get to add your own creative swing to things.”
Starting graduate school was difficult for Jeremy at first. This was the first time he’d been away from home and on his own. But once he settled in, Jeremy said he had a great experience and made long-lasting friendships. “I think that’s one of the upsides of choosing CSM for the smaller campus and class size. I got to make amazing friendships and build relationships with people. They are individuals from all over the U.S.,” he said.
Those relationships include his professors. CSM professors have an open-door policy. Students can stop in if they want to talk about schoolwork or even life in general. “I think that’s a very important part, especially in grad school when your life is just books and studying all the time,” Jeremy said. “I think it’s nice to have that balance where you could easily go to someone and share a laugh or two.”
Jeremy is currently in his last rotation, working on completing his doctoral capstone experience. He is making a guidebook focused on adult upper extremities peripheral nerve injuries and incorporating more occupation intervention into the practice setting. It’s an area that has gained his interest. Jeremy hopes to become a certified hand therapist after gaining the needed experience.
Jeremy will graduate in May. After graduation, he plans to return to Colorado and hopes to work in an outpatient clinic.
