Justin Jones, MSOT/S 2013

MSOT/S 2013

Hometown: Corning, AR

What advantages does the Program in Occupational Therapy at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis offer you that other programs don’t offer?

I feel that since the program is one of the largest in the country I am exposed to a variety of experiences and perspectives from my fellow classmates. Since relating to people is such an important part of being client-centered, the largest cornerstone for our profession, interactions with so many people offering different vantage points allows me to broaden my lens. The Program also offers some of the brightest minds in the field of occupational therapy as instructors. As students, we are exposed to so much clinically relevant information that will help us as professionals later on.

Why did you choose The Program in Occupational Therapy?

Honestly, I chose the Program because it was the closest occupational therapy school from my hometown. The Program was also ranked among the top in the country and I knew that if I was accepted I would place myself in a position to excel in the field by attending. Best decision I have ever made.

What can you say about the quality of education you are receiving?

The old saying “quality over quantity” usually rings true. But when you have the chance to receive quality and quantity, what can beat that? I will say this about the program: I have been exposed to so much information since I have arrived that I did not know if I would retain half of it. But the manner in which it is presented, stressed, and tied into clinical applications has made it easier to remember. I have become so much more knowledgeable in only one year. I feel the quality of the education has given me enough confidence to not stress too much about fieldwork and even real work later on down the road.

What is the learning atmosphere like? (people, resources provided, attitudes of faculty and staff, approach to teaching, quality of mentorship relationships, etc.)

All faculty members are extremely knowledgeable and resourceful. If you are having difficulty with something related to school, life, or occupational therapy there is a good chance at least one faculty member can lead you in the right direction. Most faculty members are easy to approach.

What do you like best about attending the Program in Occupational Therapy?

I love the amount of knowledge I have gained since I have been here. I have learned a lot about medical diagnoses, health related illnesses, and things that I need to work on as well. Probably the best thing about the Program is the amount of critical thinking that is thrust upon you. They ask you to think about everything rather than accept something as fact or certainty and regurgitate it.

As a group, how would you describe your classmates?

I can honestly say that my classmates are fun-loving, easy to get along with, caring, and intelligent. They are easy to get along with and are quite fun… even in the midst of all the work that we are doing.

How would you describe the faculty?

Faculty members are knowledgeable, easy to approach, resourceful, and are always willing to help students. They are never too busy to say hi or answer your questions.

What do you like best about the faculty?

My favorite quality of the faculty members is probably their uniqueness. They are all interested in many different aspects of occupational therapy and they bring that to the table when they teach.

What about the school do you most want prospective students to know?

If you want to be an occupational therapist, this is the best place to be. From training you to think outside the box to pushing your anatomy/kinesiology know-how, they test you to ensure you understand the principles that underlie our profession. This may sound intense, but once you get here and get your feet wet you will settle in and respect and appreciate what they do.

What do you think of living in St. Louis?

St. Louis is a fun place to be… especially in the Central West End. There is so much to do within walking distance of the campus that it can be difficult to decide how to spend your free time. Forest Park is a beautiful place to go for a walk, ride a bike, or just chill. With the 11-time World Series Champion Cardinals playing a quick drive down I-64, any baseball fan would be satisfied. The zoo is also free and a lot of fun.

What do you plan to do after graduation?

I plan to stay around the St. Louis area and put my knowledge and expertise to work. I cannot quite pinpoint what setting I want to work in or where I will end up, but I know I will be helping as many people as possible when I wrap things up here at WUOT.

Anything else you would like to add?

If you do choose the Program in Occupational Therapy at Washington University in St. Louis, you will not be disappointed!

Ranked as the Number Three OT Program in the Nation

Close Get Started Panel

Get Started

We welcome inquiries from prospective students, potential collaborators, community partners, alumni and others who want to connect with us. Please complete the form below to begin the conversation.

Close Schedule a Visit Panel

Schedule an Info Session

We are excited that you are considering applying to the Program in Occupational Therapy at Washington University. Please join us for a Zoom Information Session for either our entry-level MSOT or OTD degrees or our online Post-Professional OTD. Current faculty members will discuss the degree program and answer any question you may have. We are offering these sessions on the following days and times. The content is the same for each one, so you only need to sign up for one.

Upcoming ENTRY-LEVEL Degree ZOOM Info sessions:

Schedule an Entry-Level Info Session

Upcoming PP-OTD Degree ZOOM Info session:

Schedule a PP-OTD Info Session