Six of the American Occupational Therapy Association's "Top 10 emerging practice areas to watch in the new millennium"are directly relevant to work with elders. They are: "Design and accessibility consulting and home modification, driver rehabilitation and training, health and wellness consulting, low vision services, private practice community health services, and technology and assistive devise development and consulting. The demographics of aging clearly indicate that these areas of practice will be in increasingly greater demand through this century. These areas all support aging in place, which is a fervent desire of elders and which federal and state governments are beginning to recognize as more cost effective than the alternatives. As a result, exciting opportunities and reimbursement options are opening up for therapists who move into these innovative practice areas.

The post-professional program in Occupational Therapy with Elders help prepare occupational therapists to step into this future with confidence. Students gain a solid and up to date foundation in gerontology, and apply it in courses on leading edge knowledge in advanced occupational therapy practice. In these practice courses, assignments require students to utilize their own experience, practice settings, clients and community to meet course objectives. As a result the graduate is empowered to continue on as a self-directed learner, whether expanding current areas of involvement or moving into new arenas of practice with elders.
 
There are two options for post-professional study: An 18 credit certificate program, and a 36 credit master's degree program. Students who complete the certificate program may, within two years, apply those courses toward the master's degree.
 
Students are encouraged, though not required, to come to campus for twice yearly gatherings of post-professional graduate students and faculty. These gatherings are planned around relevant continuing education offerings, and include launch sessions for new courses. Students who are unable to attend can access all needed course information on the internet.
 
Since these programs are offered online, students are expected to have sufficient computer skills to fully participate, along with unrestricted access to a computer with at least the minimum software and hardware capacities. These are listed at http://itech.fgcu.edu/distance/DLHandbook3.asp.