New England Institute of Technology

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. — It seems emblematic of New England Institute of Technology’s expanding student enrollment and health-care curriculum that the school’s first doctoral program, debuting this fall, should be in the field of occupational therapy — itself a burgeoning field as the general population ages and pediatric needs rise.

“When you think about the issues of lifespan, we work with people from womb to tomb,” said Carol A. Doehler, department chair and professor for occupational therapy programs at NEIT, and the driving force behind the new effort.

NEIT already offers associate’s and master’s degrees in occupational therapy, but graduates of those programs have been “literally begging us to start a doctoral program,” Doehler told The Providence Journal. Other universities offer them, Doehler said, and two years ago, she began leading the effort for a homegrown one.

The post-professional occupational therapy doctorate, as NEIT’s new program is formally known, is designed for occupational therapists already employed in the field. That makes it distinct from research-specific doctoral programs, Doehler said, which require a dissertation. Still, in addition to taking such courses as “Wellness, Participation and Health Promotion,” enrollees will be required to complete original work.

These “capstone projects,” as Doehler describes them, will stress innovation and entrepreneurship, with benefit to not only the student but those they serve.

“They will allow these people who are practicing therapists to focus on something uniquely important to them in their field,” Doehler said. “What do they want to change? What do they want to innovate? Maybe they’re in a private practice and they feel they’ve got an idea of something that’s different, that can work with a particular population and really make a change.”

Or, said Doehler, “it could be someone who’s practicing in a hospital and they’d like to see better evidence of how they help people with neurological impairment like a stroke or a head injury. What is current? ‘Are we doing the best care?’”

And depending on the student, the project could be a new approach that would help keep older people living at home, or help children on the autism spectrum lead richer lives.

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EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WJAR) — Students training in the Physical Therapist Assistant, or PTA, program at the New England Institute of Technology are remembering veterans by raising funds for the Wounded Warrior Project on Patriots Day.

“PTA’s for Patriots” is presenting the “Red, White and You Fitness Challenge,” a community service project set for Sept. 11 on the East Greenwich campus.

The goal of the event is not only to raise money and get people moving, but also to honor veterans who served the country post-9/11.

“As the date gets further and further away from September 11, 2001, we’ve come far from really giving it the remembrance that it deserves, and I think this year needs to be a year where we reignite that meaning,” said Carissa Melicharek, who spearheaded the event with fellow student and Navy vet, Heather Kinne. “It’s not just one moment of silence. We’re really discussing what that day meant for us as Americans, especially with all of the political turmoil and controversy going on now. It’s a huge day to bring it all back together as Americans in general.”

A group of 14 students is calling on participants to perform five exercises to see how many repetitions they can perform in 60 seconds. It’s a nod to the physical training aspect soldiers endure while in boot camp.

“Heather said when you’re training in boot camp, you have to do these fitness challenges and usually it’s timed within 60 seconds,” Melicharek said. “It’s a challenge, but it’s also fun and competitive. We thought it would create a good atmosphere by getting people involved in movement in general because that is our expertise as PTAs — we’re movement professionals.”

Since Melicharek said the PTA program is the education of choice for many veterans at NEIT, they are passionate about giving back to soldiers who fought and continue to fight to protect America’s freedom, especially on one of the most significant days in American history.

“We have so many veterans that decide to use our program at New England Tech. We also have a lot of family members who have served. My brother was an EOD tech for a few years. He did a few tours, and Heather is a veteran,” Melicharek said. “We thought it would be really appropriate to finally do something that would benefit the Wounded Warriors.”

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — New England Institute of Technology is offering conditional early acceptance to eligible Providence Public School juniors, allowing them to earn credits toward college graduation while still in high school.

The program is open to all juniors enrolled in the Providence public schools who have at least a B average at the end of their junior year and, through school attendance and behavior, have proven the maturity necessary for college success. Students must also meet NEIT’s admission procedures for the programs to which they are applying. NEIT will waive all application fees, according to Providence schools spokeswoman Laura Hart.

Students can take up to two courses per quarter, with a maximum of four courses per calendar year. These courses are free and allow students to earn credits for high school and college simultaneously, Hart said.

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(TNS) — EAST GREENWICH, R.I. – In a reflection of the growing impact of drones and robotics, New England Institute of Technology is now offering a new associate’s degree program in these advanced technologies.

“Graduates from this program will be qualified for a wide range of entry-level positions in robotics, drone-mission programming, automated manufacturing, research and development, new-product design, product testing, field service, controls engineering, installation, marketing, and customer service,” said Douglas H. Sherman, senior vice president and provost.

Successful completion of the program will lead to an Associate in Science Degree in Electronics, Robotics, and Drone Technology, according to the university. Growth in these industries prompted the school to reach into this new educational area.

“Research shows that the increasing use of robots and aerial drones will dramatically change our economy and everyday life in areas ranging from driver-less cars and medical procedures to automated manufacturing processes and aerial-product delivery,” the school said in a media release. “The Federal Aviation Administration anticipates the creation of 100,000 new jobs in the drone technology field. USA Today reports that the use of drones is predicted to boost the U.S. economy by $13.6 billion within the next three years.”

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