探花族Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Students participating in a simulation lab

Program Details

The OTD program is an entry-level, 105 credit hour, post-baccalaureate, professional degree. This program is designed for students who do not have a degree or certificate in occupational therapy, but have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, and are seeking an entry-level graduate program in occupational therapy.

The program does not have a preference as to the background or type of bachelor鈥檚 degree. The program is offered in a full-time, traditional classroom and laboratory environment, with the exception of the third year. The third year in the program consists of distant learning experiential and on-line courses. The OTD curriculum follows a fixed course sequence.

Students pursuing an OTD at 探花族 can expect to be in school for a minimum of 9 academic semesters or three (3) academic years. The educational program consists of academic coursework, two full-time supervised fieldwork experiences and a 14 week doctoral capstone experience.

The fieldwork experiences are comprised of three (3) one week full-time mostly observational experiences and two twelve (12) week sessions. The doctoral capstone experience occurs in the Spring semester of the final year of study.

At the successful conclusion of all academic requirements and ACOTE accreditation, our OTD students will qualify to sit for the national occupational therapy certification exam (NBCOT).

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Applications for 2025 are now open!

Important dates

Task Deadline or date
Interviews Begin September 13, 2024
Priority Deadline November 15, 2024
Final Deadline April 19, 2025

Qualified applicants are eligible for live, virtual interviews beginning in September. 

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Chat about your academic goals and learn more about Occupational Therapy at 探花族 University. 

Year One

Summer

OTD 590: Introduction to Occupational and Rehabilitation Science Theory (3 credits)
OTD 580: Applied Functional Anatomy (5 credits)

Fall

OTD 581: Applied Neuroscience for the OT (4 credits)
OTD 582: Functional Biomechanics and Kinesiology for OT (4 credits)
OTD 650: Health Promotion, Wellness, and Participation in OT (3 credits)
OTD 601: Occupational Performance Assessment and Evaluation (3 credits)
OTD 602: Professional Reasoning and Communication in OT (3 credits)

Spring

OTD 651: Pediatric Theory and Practice in OT (4 credits)
OTD 583: Pathophysiology in OT (3 credits)
OTD 660: Principles of Research in OT (3 credits)
OTD 640: Principles of Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology in OT (3 credits)
OTD 652: Neurorehabilitation and Disability Science Theory and Practice in OT (4 credits)
OTD 620: Level I Fieldwork in OT (A) (1 credit)

Year Two

Summer

OTD 653: Mental Health Theory and Practice in OT (3 credits)
OTD 661: Evidenced-Based Practice and Translational Research in OT (2 credits)
OTD 654: Principles of Orthopedics in OT (3 credits)

Fall

OTD 655: Geriatric Theory and Practice in OT (3 credits)
OTD 656: Occupational Rehabilitation and Ergonomics (3 credits)
OTD 680: Guided Research I in OT (2 credits)
OTD 641: Functional Cognition in OT (3 credits)
OTD 701: Case-Based Learning I (2 credits)
OTD 621: Level I Fieldwork in OT (B) (1 credit)

Spring

OTD 750: Leadership and Management in OT (3 credits)
OTD 770: Elective- Advanced and Emerging Practice Skills (3 credits)Advanced Practice in Geriatrics From Chronic Conditions to Successful Aging
Advanced Practice in Orthopedics: Hand Therapy and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
Advanced Practice in Pediatrics: Early Childhood Tantrums, Toils, and Triumphs
OTD 751: Interprofessional Seminar (1 credit)
OTD 681: Guided Research II in OT (2 credits)
OTD 752: Program Development and Evaluation (2 credits)
OTD 702: Case-Based Learning II (2 credits)
OTD 622: Level I Fieldwork in OT (1 credit)  

Year Three

Summer

OTD 760: Level II Fieldwork in OT (A) (6 credits)
OTD 771: Professional Seminar in OT I (1 credit鈥搗irtual)

Fall

OTD 761: Level II Fieldwork in OT (B) (6 credits)
OTD 772: Professional Seminar in OT II (1 credit鈥搗irtual)
OTD 753: Principles of Teaching and Transformative Learning in OT (2 credits鈥搗irtual)

Spring

OTD 790: Doctoral Capstone Experience (7 credits)
OTD 791: Professional Development Seminar in OT (2鈥搗irtual)

OTD 780: Comprehensive Exam for the Occupational Therapist (1 credit鈥搗irtual)

Doctoral Capstone

The Doctoral Capstone happens after students have completed their coursework, comprehensive examination, and fieldwork. The capstone is a 14-week faculty-guided mentored experience where students can focus on an area of OT that interests them. It is designed for the student to gain advanced skills in one of the following areas:

  • Administration
  • Clinical practice skills
  • Research skills
  • Program and policy development
  • Education
  • Advocacy
    (AOTA.org, 2017)

AdmissionsHow to Apply

  • Request official transcripts & documentation
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Our school code is 001495.
  • Apply for the program through 
  • Qualified applicants will be selected for live, virtual interviews with the OT Admissions committee

 

For more information about admissions requirements for 探花族's Occupational Therapy program, please visit our admissions requirements page.

Graduation Requirements

Students in the OTD program follow a fixed curriculum. To progress through the program, students must receive a grade of C or above in all courses, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 while in the program, receive passing grades for all fieldwork and doctoral capstone experiences, and successfully complete a culminating project.

In addition to the above requirements for graduation, students must have no outstanding debt to Student Accounts, demonstrate professional behaviors, and have the approval of the program faculty. After students have successfully completed all of these requirements, students may apply for graduation.

Program graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successfully completing this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate鈥檚 ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. for more information.

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