accreditation of educational programs became a stated function of the American and basic educational standards were developed. Occupational Therapy Association, In 1931, AOTA created 14 years later after the professional association was founded, the first national registry for qualified occupational therapy practitioners, guaranteeing a singular, credible resource for the profession. This accomplishment followed closely the publication of the first official educational standards for qualified occupational therapy professionals. The leaders of AOTA approached the Council on Medical Education of the (AMA) in 1933 to request cooperation in the development American Medical Association and improvement of educational programs for occupational therapists. The of an “Essentials Acceptable School of Occupational Therapy” were adopted by the AMA House of Delegates in 1935. This action represented the first cooperative accreditation activity by the AMA. In 1947, 30 years after the Association was formed, the Occupational Therapy and journal and the first major textbook, Rehabilitation Willard & Spackman's Principles of were published. In 1958, AOTA assumed responsibility for approval Occupational Therapy, of educational programs for the occupational therapy assistant. The Standards on which accreditation was based were modeled after the Essentials established for baccalaureate programs. In 1964, the AOTA/AMA collaborative relationship in accreditation was officially recognized by the National Commission on Knowing is not enough; we (NCA). The NCA was a private agency Accrediting must Understanding is serving as a coordinating agency for accrediting not enough; we must do. Knowing and understanding activities in higher education. Although it had no legal in action make for honor. authority, it had great influence on educational And honor is the heart of wisdom. accreditation through the listing of accrediting agencies -- Johann Goethe it recommended to its members. The NCA continued its (1749-1832) activities in merger with the Federation of Regional since Accrediting Commissions of Higher Education January 1975. The new organization was the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA). In 1990, AOTA petitioned the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) to include the accreditation of the occupational therapy assistant programs in the CAHEA system. After approval of the change by the AMA Council on Medical Education,
accreditation of educational programs became a stated function of the American Occupational Therapy Association, and basic educational standards were developed. In 1931, 14 years later after the professional association was founded, AOTA created the first national registry for qualified occupational therapy practitioners, guaranteeing a singular, credible resource for the profession. This accomplishment followed closely the publication of the first official educational standards for qualified occupational therapy professionals. The leaders of AOTA approached the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1933 to request cooperation in the development and improvement of educational programs for occupational therapists. The “Essentials of an Acceptable School of Occupational Therapy” were adopted by the AMA House of Delegates in 1935. This action represented the first cooperative accreditation activity by the AMA. Knowing is not enough; we must Understanding is not enough; we must do. Knowing and understanding in action make for honor. And honor is the heart of wisdom. -- Johann Goethe (1749-1832) In 1947, 30 years after the Association was formed, the Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation journal and the first major textbook, Willard & Spackman's Principles of Occupational Therapy, were published. In 1958, AOTA assumed responsibility for approval of educational programs for the occupational therapy assistant. The Standards on which accreditation was based were modeled after the Essentials established for baccalaureate programs. In 1964, the AOTA/AMA collaborative relationship in accreditation was officially recognized by the National Commission on Accrediting (NCA). The NCA was a private agency serving as a coordinating agency for accrediting activities in higher education. Although it had no legal authority, it had great influence on educational accreditation through the listing of accrediting agencies it recommended to its members. The NCA continued its activities in merger with the Federation of Regional Accrediting Commissions of Higher Education since January 1975. The new organization was the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA). In 1990, AOTA petitioned the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation (CAHEA) to include the accreditation of the occupational therapy assistant programs in the CAHEA system. After approval of the change by the AMA Council on Medical Education,
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