Bloom Where You Are, Etosha Whitaker '10 (June 2009)

The Master's Portfolio Project documents and showcases students' professional growth as they prepare to enter the profession of occupational therapy. Students identify accomplishments, provide evidence of professional development, and reflect on personal growth in this culminating capstone project. The portfolio is a concrete representation of each student's unique journey.

Through the use of case presentations of portfolio clients, experiential learning activities and self-reflection, students examine their acquisition of knowledge and skills. This capstone project is the forum where students present the outcome of their two years of study, highlighting their critical thinking and professional beliefs.

The Master's Portfolio consists of the following components:

Personal Practice Platform

The practice platform, represented in both narrative and visual forms, illustrates the student's understanding of the scope and application of occupational therapy's theory and practice. This portion presents the student's individual set of beliefs and thought process that will guide practice in the coming year.

Portfolio Client Case Story
During the first academic semester, students identify an individual who is living with a disability, from their community, to serve as their client. Students visit and interact with this client through structured course assignments over the two years of didactic coursework. The client case story is a narrative that describes the client as an occupational being.

Personal Narrative
The personal narrative describes the key experiences within the curriculum that ultimately became important contributing factors to the student's evolution as an occupational therapist. It summarizes how students' thoughts, perceptions and attitudes have changed on their journey to become occupational therapists.

Supporting Artifacts
The supporting artifacts represent a collection of projects and assignments selected by the student to document important professional growth. The student selects those items that have been critical to their learning, and which have shaped their practice philosophy.

Professional Development Plan and Resume
The professional development plan is a self assessment of development needs and future learning goals and plans. It identifies strategies to demonstrate continued competence in the future. Students also include a professional resume that documents their clinical experiences and projects to date.

Presentation and Evaluation
Students present their master's portfolios during the second summer semester in a community-wide exhibit. Each student must defend his or her portfolio to faculty, and a team of evaluators consisting of practicing occupational therapists, health professionals, and invited members of the University community. Whenever possible individual portfolio clients are invited to attend.

MASTER'S PORTFOLIO PRESENTATIONS

The Reflection and Image of Occupation: Kaleidoscope of Life
Kim Solewater '10 (June 2009)

Occupational Therapy - Shedding Light on Life
Amy Schwab '10 (June 2009)

Jaci Talnagi Dobres '08 (June 2007)