Occupational Therapy, OTD

DOCTOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (OTD)  

Occupational therapy is a health and rehabilitation profession. Occupational therapists provide services to individuals of all ages who have physical, developmental, emotional, and/or social deficits. Occupational therapists practice in public and private schools, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, hand therapy clinics, home health agencies, and in private practice.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University’s OTD program is to graduate a diverse population of practitioners who have the skills necessary to analyze human occupation and to implement science-driven and evidence-based interventions that promote quality of life for the clients whom they serve. The graduates will contribute to their profession and to a global society through their competence, ethical standards, and professionalism.

 

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the OTD program, graduates will demonstrate the ability to:

• Exhibit the skills of a professional occupational therapist through commitment to lifelong learning.
• Advocate for the profession of occupational therapy while collaborating with other members of the health care team.
• Practice clinical reasoning skills based on foundational knowledge and professional skills in order to provide optimal interventions for client problems in varied settings.
• Ensure optimal and culturally competent verbal and written communication of occupational therapy services.
• Implement principles of ethical and professional behavior in occupational therapy services.
• Use effective leadership skills to advance the role of occupational therapy.
• Evaluate evidence-based information by accessing resources and interpreting information for competent interventions.

Program Prerequisites

Required prerequisite coursework (must be completed with a grade of C or better):

• 3 credits of general college physics or kinesiology
• 3 credits of general college biology
• 6 credits of anatomy and physiology
• 1 credit of medical terminology
• 3 credits of human development across the lifespan
• 12 credits of social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology, abnormal psychology, human growth and development)
• 3 credits of statistics
• Unless candidates have current work experience in a health sciences field, it is recommended that their prerequisites be no more than 5 years old—especially anatomy and physiology.

Note: Prerequisite substitutions can be considered with the approval of the Program Director.

Delivery of Coursework

The OTD program is 117 credits and is offered on a full-time basis over 8 trimesters. Coursework is provided in a blended learning format. This is a combination of an online learning component with classroom instruction. Lab classes are taught in a hands-on setting, while some portions of the course content are presented through a variety of interactive online activities and augmented by in-class discussions, patient interactions, and simulation.

Note: OTD students must complete all Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of academic preparation.

For further information about accreditation contact: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, MD  20824-1220, phone 301-652-2682.