Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program
The online Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD) program is for practicing, licensed occupational therapists with a master's degree who want to advance in their field by earning a clinical doctorate. The program builds on the experience occupational therapists have while teaching them the knowledge and skills they need to advance beyond therapist-clinician into areas such as occupational therapy education, clinical research, clinical practice, leadership, or advocacy. Graduates of the program will earn a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree demonstrating they have mastered their roles as practitioners and are prepared to contribute their expertise across diverse areas of practice, academia, and the community.
Students in °®¶¹´«Ã½â€™s Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy are required to complete a total of 36 credit hours. Courses are offered exclusively online using a synchronous distance learning format during late afternoons and evenings. Following the recommended program plan allows for degree completion in five consecutive semesters. The program is open to graduates from ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy programs and to international applicants who have graduated from a World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) approved occupational therapy program.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for admission into °®¶¹´«Ã½'s online Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy, applicants must:
- Hold a master’s degree
- U.S. applicants must have graduated from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy program
- International applicants must have graduated from a World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) approved occupational therapy program
- Applicants must satisfy the general conditions and procedures for admission to °®¶¹´«Ã½
University's Graduate School.
- There are two exceptions to °®¶¹´«Ã½'s Graduate School requirements referenced
above:
- GRE scores are not required for this program.
- The online PP-OTD program requires an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher to enter and a 3.0 GPA to graduate.
- There are two exceptions to °®¶¹´«Ã½'s Graduate School requirements referenced
above:
Application Instructions
To apply to the program, the following is required:
- Submission of the online application
- Submission of academic transcripts from each college or university attended
- A personal statement not to exceed 1,000 words or four double-spaced pages that address the applicant’s talents, experiences and proposed professional goals that align with the completion of a capstone project that qualifies for acceptance to a graduate program at °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Résumé or curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation
- Virtual interview with members of the OTD Admissions Committee is required
Additional requirements for international students (once approved for admission for this program, you must also submit):
- International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) form to certify that the applicant has enough funds for all tuition, fees, and personal expenses for at least one year of graduate study at °®¶¹´«Ã½.
- Supporting financial documentation that shows the applicant has enough funds for 1 year of graduate study. Most often, this means including official bank statements or official scholarship or sponsorship letters from agencies or governments.
- Proof of English proficiency (including TOEFL, IELTS and PTE Academic scores)
- The TOEFL, IELTS and PTE Academic scores help demonstrate your proficiency in English
at the college level.
- TOEFL: The Graduate School requires a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the Internet-based test.
- IELTS: The Graduate School requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with no band below 5.0.
- PTE Academic: The Graduate School requires a minimum PTE Academic score of 53.
Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD) Program Plan
| Term 1: Fall | ||
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| OCT Z702 | Ethics and Analytical Reasoning (weeks 1-7) | 3 |
| OCT Z703 | Justice: Health Disparities and Health Equities in the Practice of Occupational Therapy (weeks 9-15) | 3 |
| OCT Z720 | OTD Seminar I: Explore Capstone Project (15 weeks with 1-week break) | 1 |
| Term 2: Spring | ||
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| OCT Z704 | Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Theory and Clinical Research (weeks 1-7) | 3 |
| OCT Z705 | Health Promotion and Health Advocacy (weeks 9-15) | 3 |
| OCT Z721 | OTD Seminar II: Create Capstone Project (15 weeks with 1-week break) | 1 |
| Term 3: Summer | ||
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| OCT Z710 | Evidenced-Based Practice in Translational Science (weeks 1-7) | 3 |
| OCT Z711 | Outcomes Measurement and Assessment: Individual, Community, Society Part A (weeks 8-14) | 3 |
| OCT Z722 | OTD Seminar III: Assess Capstone Project (14 weeks) | 1 |
| Term 4: Fall | ||
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| OCT Z706 | Advanced Leadership in Innovative Practice (weeks 1-7) | 3 |
| OCT Z712 | Outcomes Measurement and Assessment: Individual, Community, Society Part B (weeks 9-15) | 3 |
| OCT Z723 | OTD Seminar IV: Clinical Reasoning (15 weeks with 1-week break) | 1 |
| Term 5: Spring | ||
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| OCT Z707 | Teaching and Learning Theory and Practice in Occupational Therapy Classroom (weeks 1-7) | 4 |
| OCT Z724 | OTD Capstone Project Dissemination (weeks 9-15) | 4 |
| Total required credits for program completion | 36 | |