Exploring the Relationship Between Entry-Level Master’s Program Class Size and the Number of Graduate Credits Offered and Aggregate NBCOT Pass Rates

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Scott Truskowski, MS, OTRL

Abstract

The AOTA and ACOTE have discussed a transition to a mandated entry-level clinical doctorate degree (Harvison, 2013). Following the move to the entry-level master’s degree in 2007, the overall national pass rate on the national certification examination fell from 88% in 2006 to 77% by 2009 (Harvison, 2011; Harvison, 2012). This study sought to determine if the number of graduate credits offered or the class size of an entry-level master’s program impacts student outcomes on the national certification examination. Publicly available data was mined from all accredited entry-level master’s programs. Data were imported into the SPSS for statistical analysis. The results indicated no significant relationship between the number of graduate credits offered and pass rates (p = 0.919) or between average class size and pass rates (p = 0.640). Further study is warranted to determine if there are any curricular characteristics that can be used to predict student performance on the national certification examination.

Recommended Citation

Truskowski, S. (2016). Exploring the Relationship Between Entry-Level Master’s Program Class Size and the Number of Graduate Credits Offered and Aggregate NBCOT Pass Rates. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1160