Tarleton’s occupational therapy doctorate program receives candidacy status; $80 million health professions building set to open 2025.

TSU Media Relations

Special to Beneath the Surface News

Tarleton State University’s occupational therapy doctorate program was recently granted candidacy status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

No other occupational therapy programs exist within a 60-mile radius of Stephenville, positioning the new academic offering well to address the needs of the region.

With the decision, Tarleton State’s program will be included on ACOTE’s list of programs holding candidacy status that are eligible to admit students starting June 2025.

“This is such an exciting time for Tarleton State University and the College of Health Sciences,” said Dr. Ramona Parker, Associate Vice President and Executive Dean for the College of Health Sciences.

Tarleton’s occupational therapy program now moves to the preaccreditation review step.

“This milestone marks a significant step forward as we eagerly anticipate welcoming our first cohort of OTD students in summer 2025 and continue to advance our program’s development to deliver exceptional educational experiences in occupational therapy in rural Texas,” said Dr. Levandowski, director of the occupational therapy program.

Some of the strengths identified included a state and institutional commitment to rural medical programs and communities, a structural design that supports innovative and new programing, and a shared institutional focus on the success of programs and students.

An $80 million Health Professions Building is currently under construction and will add 92,000 square feet to meet classroom and laboratory space requirements.

The new facility is scheduled to open summer 2025.