Is a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree Worth It? If you’re dreaming about helping patients restore their mobility and quality of life, and you’re exploring what it would take to become a physical therapist, you may be wondering, “Is a degree in physical therapy worth it?” The answer to this question depends, of course, on your personal career goals. Some people choose to become physical therapist assistants because only a two-year associate degree is required. It’s true that pursuing a doctorate takes time and effort; however, there are countless advantages to earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. To that end, let’s look at some of the factors that make a Doctor in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree the best first step on an exceptional career Read more
Karen Menard, PhD, OTR/L
Program Director, Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Dr. Karen Menard joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in January 2012 as contributing faculty and became Program Director in March 2015. She earned her PhD in Education from Walden University in 2014, Master of Science in Health Sciences from the University of Central Florida in 1992 and Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Florida International University in 1985.
She brings more than 30 years of managerial and clinical experience in a variety of settings specializing in orthopedic, neurological, cognitive, emotional and pediatric disorders. In addition, Dr. Menard authored materials presented at the WASC Academic Resource Conference, Online Learning Consortium, World Confederation of Physical Therapy, International Autism Conference, Autism One Conference, National Academies of Practice, AOTA National Conferences and Florida Occupational Therapy Association Conference, and published in the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education and in the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy.
Dr. Menard is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and Florida Occupational Therapy Association, with special interest activities focused in interprofessional education in higher education. Her passion is to encourage all students to advance the profession of occupational therapy through research and education. Her research expertise is in qualitative studies.
