Professionalization of the field: how can educational programs identify the best applicants?

For more than four decades, occurational therapists have identified a need to establish admission criteria for occupational therapy educational programs that select StUdents with the potentia] for developing the profession. Many qualities are valued by the occupational therapy field, including clinical performance, research ability, theory development and application, and the ability and desire to teach others. There is a debate, however, as to whether baccalaureate graduates deveJop the field in the areas of research, theory, and education to the same extent as entry-level maSter's degree graduates. ]t seems clear that a profession that values these qualities mUSt select students for the tWO educational levels (baccalaureate and en[Iy-level master's degree) who can strengthen the profession in practice, research (including theory development), and education. This article identifies some researched requirements for selecting students who are best able to complete academic requirements and Level II fieldwork and to develor and enhance the profession.