8 Reasons for aspiring health professionals to further their career at Gannon University’s Ruskin, Florida campus
The healthcare sector in Florida is expanding rapidly, and according to the Florida Healthcare Workforce, it is expected to have the highest growth rate of any industry in the state over the next eight years.
That’s where you—if you’ve been considering earning a Master of Athletic Training (MAT), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)—come in.
This increasing demand naturally calls for additional talented health professionals, and Gannon University created its new Ruskin, Florida, campus in 2014 to teach and create the new generation of health leaders.
From hands-on experiences and fieldwork to brand-new facilities, here are the top reasons to choose Gannon University in Ruskin, Florida, for your OTD, MAT, or DPT degree.
1. Great timing
Both the older and school-age populations in Florida are growing, and the healthcare sector is expanding to meet their needs. However, the number of graduates from professional healthcare programs in the region is limited. It’s the perfect time to step up and pursue an advanced degree at a new and flourishing university campus to become a highly sought after leader in the field.
2. Small town friendliness with big city opportunities
Ruskin, Florida, is a small town, but the opportunities that Gannon offers within the community are why students are able to have fun while learning and at the same time become skilled leaders.
Gannon University has partnerships with the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg for faith-based studies as well as with sites for clinical and field placements, so students have a unique opportunity to work in a highly valued healthcare position in the area.
And when you need to get away from the books and the lab, the town still has a lot of buzz going on. Ruskin is the home to a new Amazon corporate center, and the diverse community is growing and becoming more vibrant by the day.
3. Classwork + field experience = advanced knowledge
Gannon University has a curriculum that combines typical classroom studies with dynamic hands-on experiences so you can excel in all areas of wellness.
In the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, students learn how to use the consultative process and direct intervention to work with individuals, patient populations, and care systems. If you go this OTD route, at the end of the program you’ll be able to assist individuals to achieve their maximum level of independent living and quality of life through remediation of, adaptation to, or prevention of physical, cognitive, perceptual, and mental health functional limitations.
The Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program integrates classwork, online coursework, and hands-on clinical education. If want to become an athletic trainer, this program is a top-notch way to learn how to apply a wide variety of specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to evidence-based practice, prevention and health promotion, clinical examination and diagnosis, acute care of injury and illness, therapeutic interventions, psychosocial strategies and referral, healthcare administration, and professional development and responsibility.
Gannon University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program embraces the current APTA vision statement: “Physical therapists will transform society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.” DPT students learn how to become autonomous physical therapists who participate in integrative and collaborative practices that facilitate high-quality health and educational outcomes. Graduate with this advanced degree, and you can expect to become a practitioner of choice in the local Florida community, where you’ll be recognized as an expert in movement, function, and health.
4. Cross-campus opportunities
Although the Florida campus is its newest location, Gannon University also has a flagship campus in Erie, PA. If you thrive when you’re able to travel around and change locations, Gannon offers an outstanding opportunity to experience fieldwork and capstone courses across the country.
5. Brand-new technology and facilities
The Ruskin campus opened in 2014, so it still has brand-new lab technology and facilities where you can train to master all the skills and processes you need.
6. Small class sizes with personalized mentoring and research opportunities
Small class sizes that average a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio gives students the opportunity to work closely with faculty and peers on campus and in the community.
7. Strong alumni network
There is another benefit of small graduate classes: a strong alumni network. Creating a close-knit student community is a core value at Gannon, and that goes well beyond the classroom. Once you graduate, you’ll still have the connections you made at Gannon as well as new connections within your alumni network to support you toward your goals.
8. A private Catholic university with a record of success
Gannon University is a private Catholic university with a 90-year record of success for both its online and on-site classes. You can count on Gannon to meet the highest standards as you continue your professional education.
9. It’s easy to take the first step
Are you ready to further your education and transform your career in occupational therapy, physical therapy, or athletic training? Apply online today at Gannon University.