Mission Statement
The mission of the Post Professional OTD (PPOTD) program is to graduate students with advanced knowledge in practice excellence who have the leadership and clinical skills necessary to promote the profession of occupational therapy. High priority is placed on active inquiry, critical thinking, and reflective practice.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the PPOTD program, graduates will demonstrate the ability to:
- develop lifelong learning skills to advance the profession of occupational therapy
- promote interprofessional relationships through collaboration and communication with members of various professions
- integrate sound evidence-based information into the provision of professional occupational therapy best practice
- communicate effectively orally and in writing to promote professional practice
- integrate ethical and professional standards in the delivery of occupational therapy services
- exhibit leadership characteristics to advance the profession of occupational therapy within local, state, and/or professional organizations
- apply critical reasoning skills required to advance the profession of occupational therapy
Admission Requirements
Application to the PPOTD program is open to all occupational therapists who entered the profession with a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in occupational therapy from an accredited institution. It is expected that all applicants are licensed or eligible for licensure in the United States; however, those international students who are not planning to pursue licensure in the United States are exempt from this requirement. Applicants must be currently employed as an occupational therapist or have a minimum of 1 year of experience as an occupational therapist. USAHS MOT graduates may enter the program without a license but must be licensed and employed as an OT by the beginning of the second term of the PPOTD program. For details see the Admission to the University section of this catalog.
Official transcripts from all previous institutions of higher learning must be submitted directly to the University in accordance with the Application for Admission instructions.
International Students Applying for Admission
Foreign-trained candidates who do not require a student visa to participate in University courses and/or degrees can be considered for admission. USAHS does not offer English language services, including instruction. All instruction at the University is conducted in English. To enter the PPOTD program, the following criteria will apply:
- Be a graduate of a program in a country that is a member of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists
- Submit transcripts (original and a translated version, if applicable) and a credentialing evaluation from an agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) that provide evidence of training at a level equivalent to that of a bachelor’s degree in the United States
- Submit an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report if his or her education was completed in a language other than English. A minimum score of 210 (computer-based testing), or 83 (IBT—Internet based testing) is required.
Notification of Status
The applicant will be notified by e-mail from the Admissions Office of his or her admission status after all required application materials have been reviewed by the Admissions Committee.
Academic Requirements
To remain in the PPOTD program, the student must
- maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and
- register for one course within 12 weeks of the date of the acceptance letter.
Program Overview
For candidates entering the program with a master’s degree (MOT) from the University of St. Augustine, they are required to complete a minimum of 35 credits; however, six credit may transfer from the USAHS MOT program, if eligble. For candidates who hold a master’s degree* in occupational therapy or related field, a minimum of 35 credits will be required to earn the PPOTD degree. The student should be able to complete this program in 2 to 3 years on a part-time basis. The candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy, a minimum of 60 credits will be required. The student should be able to complete this program in 3 to 4 years on a part-time basis.
The PPOTD program includes several required courses depending on the student’s highest previous degree. Coursework is comprised of elective courses and seminars. The University will also consider accepting graduate credits from other accredited institutions. Please refer to the transfer credit policy in this catalog for further information on transfer credits.
*The master’s degree may be either the first professional degree or a post-professional degree.
Delivery of PPOTD Coursework
Courses are offered through a distance education format with optional on-campus immersion opportunities. The delivery of the PPOTD coursework will be offered in a variety of formats, such as:
- Term-based courses
- Special Topic courses
- Continuing education seminar enhanced through completion of assignments in a distance education format
Incomplete Coursework
The grade of “I” (Incomplete) is used, for reasons acceptable to the instructor(s), a student has not completed required work within a course by the end of a term. The length of time granted for the completion of the requirement of the course is one additional trimester (15 weeks) after which the “I” grade will be changed to an “F” if the coursework has not been completed. Upon successful completion of the requirement, the student will be assigned a letter grade by the instructor. If the “I” is assigned a grade of “D” or “F” the appropriate action will be taken per present written policy on academic standing.
Time Limit
It is required that PPOTD students complete all program requirements within five years. An extension of up to two and one-half years may be requested. If the Program Director approves the extension, there is an extension fee of $333.00 per trimester.
Optional Specializations
Students enrolled in the PPOTD program are eligible to earn the specialization of Executive Leadership and/or the specialization of Teaching and Learning. The specializations are earned by completing certain elective courses within the program and maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA in those courses. Students should speak with their academic advisor about the specializations and include them in their Degree Completion Plan (DCP). Courses for the Specialization of Executive Leadership include Foundations of Healthcare Administration, Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior for HC Admin, Strategic Planning in Healthcare Administration, Accounting, Finance and Economics, Organizational Leadership and Policy in Healthcare, Operations and Quality Management in Healthcare (choose four out of six courses). Courses for the specialization of Teaching and Learning include Foundational Theory in Education, Program and Curricular Design for Health Science Education, Teaching Methods in Higher Education, and Practical Application in Online Teaching (must choose all courses).
Tuition and Fees
See the Tuition and Fees section of this catalog.
