Discover the Flex Format – OT Programs, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Brandy Leonard, a sixth-trimester Master of Occupational Therapy student at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) Austin campus, chose the Flex format because it gave her the flexibility she needed to pursue her degree while balancing life outside of school. As a mother, wife, and active member of her community, she needed a program that could fit into her life. The Flex format, which allows students to complete the typically two-year program over three years, gave her a pace that felt more manageable while still allowing her to work toward her goal of becoming an occupational therapist.
Although Brandy lives in Oklahoma, she travels to campus for scheduled Flex weekends, where she works alongside her classmates and gets hands-on experience in the labs. These weekends give her the opportunity to practice with the program’s technology and equipment, including through cadaver-based learning experiences. Even while completing much of her coursework from out of state, Brandy says she feels supported by her faculty and can easily reach out with questions or for clarification.
For Brandy, the Flex format has allowed her to pursue something she is passionate about without having to put the rest of her life on hold. It has given her a way to balance her goals, responsibilities, and what works for her, and she believes it can do the same for other students managing busy lives.
Transcript
Discover the Flex Format – OT Programs, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
[00:00:00] Brandy L. (OT Student): Hi, I’m Brandy Leonard. I am a six tri occupational therapy student in the master’s program. I’m also a Flex student here at the University of St. Augustine on the Austin Campus. I chose the Flex format. For me, it was really the only option, so it was a no-brainer. In order to achieve a higher learning, we needed to remain flexible. [00:00:22] Brandy L. (OT Student): For the Flex program, the big kicker is that it goes from a two-year program to a three-year program for Flex students. Meaning that the pace is a little bit slower and a lot more manageable for people who are doing more than one thing and not just being a full-time student. Giving me that flexibility to take my degree a little bit slower while also maintaining occupational balance for my family, being able to participate in things that I need to do outside of school, such as mothering and being a wife and a community member. [00:00:49] Brandy L. (OT Student): It allows us to be on campus for our labs and our lectures. So we’re traveling in, we’re getting this experience. We still have access in anatomy to all the cadavers and to all of the, the technology, the models, everything that we need to do a hands-on practice in the lab. As a Flex student, I have the option of living away from campus as well, and so not all Flex students live further out, but there are quite a few in my cohort that are coming from out of state. I am one of them. I live in Oklahoma. [00:01:16] Brandy L. (OT Student): I do come in town to Austin Campus for my on-campus weekends or my Flex weekends, is what we call them, for labs and lectures. Every professor I’ve had at this point has been extremely responsive. If we need to meet with them during a specific time, we can meet with them. [00:01:30] Brandy L. (OT Student): Getting that clarification piece has been crucial. I’ve been able to do that without any effect to my learning in the negative, and it’s all been to the positive. I absolutely would recommend the Flex program. It breaks down barriers. As you grow and you age and you’re starting to think about your career, right? [00:01:45] Brandy L. (OT Student): Or you start to have these epiphanies on what you want to do, you’ll realize that wanting to do it and being able to do it can be synonymous, but having the opportunity to do it doesn’t always align. And with the Flex program, it’s the best available option to align those three. I want to, I can do it, and I’m able to do it.
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