Student Development in an Online Post-Professional Master's Program.

SUMMARY Students' perceptions of personal and professional development in an online post-professional Master's degree program in occupational therapy were investigated. In-class postings, reflection papers, and e-mail surveys completed by 14 occupational therapists throughout the course of an online Master's program were coded and analyzed. Three themes were identified: the developmental process of post-professional education, the value of the online learning community, and the influence of positive and negative characteristics of online pedagogy in creating lifelong learners. Results indicated that the students perceived personal and professional growth that enhanced their clinical practice, and that the online learning community supported and enhanced this growth. Online pedagogy was effective in creating a cooperative learning environment that facilitated personal and professional development at the post-graduate level.