Mission Statement
The mission of the OTD Post Professional 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 OTD 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; and
- apply critical reasoning skills required to advance the profession of occupational therapy.
Admission Requirements
Application to the OTD Post Professional 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’s experience as an occupational therapist. For more details on admission, 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 OTD Post Professional 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 a candidate’s education was completed in a language other than English or he or she resides in a non-English speaking country: 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 OTD Post Professional 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 30 credits. 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 OTD Post Professional 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 OTD Post Professional 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 OTD Post Professional Coursework
The delivery of the OTD coursework will be offered in a variety of formats, such as the following:
- Term-based courses
- Monthly enrollment courses
- Continuing education seminar, enhanced through completion of assignments in a distance education format
Courses are offered strictly through a distance education format. This format is presented through a variety of delivery methods, including assigned readings, videos, or via other technology.
The last course, Residency, requires students to participate in an on-campus poster demonstration of their capstone projects. This is scheduled on the day of the graduation ceremony to limit the oncampus visit to one time in the OTD Post Professional program.
Incomplete Coursework
If a student cannot complete the required work within the predetermined time frame, he or she will receive a grade of Incomplete (I). The student must then complete the work by the new assigned due date to receive a letter grade. No further extension will be permitted. If the student does not withdraw or complete the requirements within the approved time, the I grade will automatically become a Fail (F) on his or her transcript.
Time Limit
It is required that OTD Post Professional students complete all program requirements within 5 years. An extension of up to 2.5 years may be requested. If the Program Director approves the extension, there is an extension fee of $333.00 per trimester.
Effective Spring 2018 - Completion time is 4 years with a possible extension of 2 years.
Optional Certificates
Students enrolled in the OTD Post Professional program are eligible to earn the Certificate of Executive Leadership and/or the Certificate of Teaching and Learning. The certificates 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 advisor or Program Director about the certificates and include them in their Plan of Study (POS). Courses for the Certificate of Executive Leadership include Foundations of Health Care Administration, Human Resource Management and Organizational Development and Leadership for HC Admin, Strategic Planning in Health Care Administration, Organizational Finance, Organizational Leadership and Policy in Health Care, Operations and Quality Management in Health Care. Courses for the Certificate of Teaching and Learning include Foundational Theory in Education, Curriculum Development in Health Science Education, Teaching Methods in Higher Education, Current Issues in Health Sciences Education or Evaluation of Educational Effectiveness and Teaching Online.
Tuition and Fees
See the Tuition and Fees section of this catalog.
