Mission Statement
The mission of the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy program (PPOTD) is to cultivate leaders who incorporate evidence-informed decision-making to advance the profession in clinical practice, management, advocacy, scholarship, and education to the betterment of populations through participation in occupations.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the PPOTD program, graduates will demonstrate the ability to perform the following:
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Integrate evidence-informed decision making into occupational therapy roles and responsibilities.
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Integrate ethical and professional standards in occupational therapy.
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Demonstrate effective communication to promote participation in occupation within the profession and relevant populations.
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Promote interprofessional relationships through collaboration and communication with members of various professions and relevant populations.
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Create a plan for professional growth that contributes to the advancement of the profession, as well as the communities in which occupational therapists serve.
Admission Requirements
See Admissions, Records, and Registration for prerequisites and application information.
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
Candidates entering the program with a master’s degree (MOT) from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences are required to complete a minimum of 35 credits; however, 6 credits may transfer from the USAHS MOT program, if eligible. For candidates who hold a master’s degree* in occupational therapy or related field, a minimum of 35 credits is required to earn the PPOTD degree; for candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy, a minimum of 60 credits is required. Please note the program typically takes four years (bachelor’s-entry) or two years and four months (master’s-entry) to complete based off the most recent two-year graduate data (2020–2021 and 2021–2022); however, individual experiences will vary based on factors including but not limited to individual progress, credits transferred, and other factors. 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 further information on transfer credits.
*The master’s degree may be either the entry-level 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 is 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
Time Limit
It is required that PPOTD (bachelor’s entry) students complete all program requirements within four years; PPOTD (master’s entry) students must complete all program requirements within two years and four months. An extension of up to two years may be requested for PPOTD (bachelor’s entry) students and up to one year and four months for PPOTD (master’s entry) students.
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 Health Care Administration; Strategic Planning in Healthcare Administration; Accounting, Finance and Economics; Organizational Leadership and Policy in Healthcare; Operations and Quality Management in Healthcare (choose four 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 complete all four courses).
Tuition and Fees
See Financial Information .
Standard Occupational Classification codes for which program is intended to prepare graduates: Occupational Therapist (29-1122); Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary (25-1071)
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