Published May 6, 2026

MONROE, La. – The University of Louisiana Monroe has reached a notable milestone with the graduation of its first Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (BSOTA) class, marking a new chapter in the institution’s long-standing commitment to healthcare education. 

For 45 years, the University of Louisiana Monroe has prepared occupational therapy assistants at the associate degree level, producing graduates who have gone on to serve individuals and communities across Louisiana and beyond. Building on that legacy, the Louisiana Board of Regents approved the creation of the BSOTA program in 2021, making ULM home to the only program of its kind in the state and just one of seven in the nation. The vision of advancing OTA education at ULM came to life in January 2024 with the admission of the inaugural cohort. 

Now, in 2026, those students have become the university’s first OTA baccalaureate degree recipients, representing a defining moment for both the program and the institution. 

“As the first graduates of Louisiana’s only BSOTA program, this class embodies both the strength of ULM’s history and its forward-looking mission,” said Jennifer Perodeau, Associate Professor and Program Director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. “Their education reflects a curriculum grounded in professional excellence and service, aligned with the university’s broader mission and vision.”  

The program reached another significant benchmark when it received full accreditation in April 2026, further solidifying its role in preparing highly qualified practitioners to meet evolving healthcare needs. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) granted the program the highest status of accreditation offered to new programs.  

This accomplishment could not have been achieved without dedicated faculty and students, the support of the College of Health Sciences (COHS) and administration, and the fieldwork educators and community partnerships.  

Dr. Wendy Bailes, Dean of COHS, stated, “I am very proud of the work that Mrs. Perodeau and her team have done as they transitioned the OTA 2-year program to the BSOTA and received a 7-year accreditation. This accomplishment is incredible and a testament to the type of faculty recruited to our College.” 

As the inaugural BSOTA class enters the occupational therapy profession, its graduates carry not only the knowledge and skills developed through their academic and clinical training but also the distinction of being pioneers in a new era of occupational therapy assistant education at ULM. 

For more information about Occupational Therapy at ULM, including the master’s and doctoral programs, please visit ulm.edu/ot.