What is Pi Theta Epsilon?

by: Wendy Butler

Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE) is a specialized honor society for occupational therapy students and alumni. PTE recognizes and encourages scholastic excellence of occupational therapy students.

Pi Theta Epsilon (PTE) Mission:
o To contribute to the advancement of the field of occupational therapy through scholarly activities.
o To provide a vehicle for students enrolled in accredited programs in OT to exchange information and to collaborate regarding scholarly activities.

Eligibility Requirements:
o Election of new members shall include those who have demonstrated superior scholarship.

o Those who are eligible:
o shall rank not lower than the highest 35% of their class in scholarship
o shall have a GPA of at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0 since entering the occupational therapy program
o Be nominated by faculty

Why join PTE?
o It’s an honor to be chosen with only one opportunity to join
o Leadership opportunities
o Interact with faculty on a professional level
o Opportunity to organize events that promote research while networking with OT graduate students from USC
o Professional society with professional benefits
o Enriches your graduate experience

PTE Officers:

President: Wendy Butler

Vice President: Whitney Frumen

Secretary: Erin Kupka

Treasurer: Stephanie Wong

Public Relations: Kate Chiverton

Upcoming Event:

2nd Annual Spring symposium “Emerging/Non-Traditional Areas of Occupational Therapy”
hosted by Pi Theta Epsilon Friday, March 6th 1:00- 4:30pm

Pi Theta Epsilon will be hosting the 2nd Annual Spring symposium at Loker Student Union on March 6th from 1:00-4:30 pm. The event will host speakers that explore “Emerging/Non-Traditional Areas of Occupational Therapy” providing both incoming Cohort 5 and Cohort 4 exposure to additional areas of practice that occupational therapists can thrive in.

Pi Theta Epsilon’s goal is to inspire occupational therapy students, to interact professionally with potential employers and faculty as well as to increase awareness of occupational therapy as a career at California State University Dominguez Hills. Pi Theta Epsilon intends to contact the faculty of undergraduate majors such as psychology, sociology and recreational therapy soliciting their assistance to promote the event. We hope to encourage their attendance of the event which will alert them to occupational therapy as a post-graduate degree and life long career. In addition, Pi Theta Epsilon will extend an invitation to the University of California Occupational Therapy department to further increase collaboration and communication between the programs.

Pi Theta Epsilon is currently in the process of securing speakers to discuss their experience in an “Emerging/Non-Traditional Area of Occupational Therapy” that they currently practice in.

Pi Theta Epsilon trusts that Cohort 4 &5 finds the symposium a valuable experience to their professional development and hopes to see everyone there!!