Samantha Marocco, PT, DPT, MS, GCS Emeritus came to Logan University for her Doctor of Education in Health Professions Education (Ed.D.) to make a bigger impact in student success at her teaching position at Utica University.
“I looked into Logan’s Ed.D. curriculum, and I found it to be the perfect fit for my career goals and the audience I am trying to impact,” she said.
Dr. Marocco earned her master’s degree in basic science/gerontology from Clarkson University and her bachelors and doctor of physical therapy degrees from Russell Sage College. After working with older adults for several years, she also obtained her Geriatric Certified Specialist (GCS) certification.
“I worked in clinical practice at skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, so this certification made sense,” said Dr. Marocco. “Most of my work was with patients with memory impairment, primarily focused on mobility issues.”
She has been teaching full time for over 20 years. Fourteen years ago, she accepted an online teaching position at Utica University working with adult learners in the post professional physical therapy program. She has also taught a research capstone course for the entry level physical therapy program as well multiple interprofessional education courses for the undergraduate health sciences program.
“Once I started working on my Ed.D. at Logan, I realized I wanted to move into an administrative role where I can further my impact,” said Dr. Marocco.
The Ed.D. degree is opening opportunities for her, and at the end of this year, she plans to move into a program director role.
“The Ed.D. at Logan is focused on health professions education, which directly impacts the student population I work with every day, so it will be incredibly valuable for my future,” she said.
She also enjoys that the program is designed for working adults and offered online. As an online instructor herself, she is comfortable with this format, which allows her to obtain her degree while living in rural New York.
“We live on a 55-acre homestead in the Adirondack Mountains, so an online degree was vital to me,” Dr. Marocco said. “It allows me to take courses while living in a rural location.”
For more information on Logan University’s Doctor of Education in Health Professions Education, please visit our website.