Apr 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog NOT CURRENT 
    
2018-2019 Catalog NOT CURRENT [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Occupational Therapy, OTD


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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:

  • apply the skills of a lifelong learner reflective of a professional occupational therapist,
  • advocate for the profession of occupational therapy while collaborating with other members of a health care team,
  • design and perform optimal programs or interventions treating occupational deficits by using effective clinical reasoning,
  • create optimal and culturally competent verbal and written communication of occupational therapy services,
  • implement principles of ethical and professional behavior in the delivery of occupational therapy services,
  • advance the role of occupational therapy by performing as effective leaders,
  • produce evidence-based information that contributes to the advancement of occupational therapy,
  • synthesize information, problem solve, and think critically to judge the most appropriate theoretical basis, assessment and/or intervention strategies for individuals and populations,
  • apply theoretical and empirical knowledge from the foundational bases of physiological, behavioral, social, and occupational therapy in the planning and implementation of occupational therapy in current and emerging areas of practice,
  • apply OT practices to different populations, cultures, etc. based on an expanded view of individual client interventions to a global perspective of OT, and
  • disseminate findings of scholarly inquiry that delve deeply into a clearly articulated problem facing OT professionals that impacts future practice.

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)
  • 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 residential 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 Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of all prior didactic portions of the program. Students must complete the experiential component of the program within 18 months following completion of the remaining didactic portion of the program. -updated 02/08/2019

For further information about accreditation contact: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD  20814-3449, phone 301-652-AOTA.

California OT Licensure

As of July 2019, in order to be eligible for professional  licensure as an Occupational Therapist in California, Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program graduates must hold a degree from an accredited Occupational Therapy program.  MOT/OTD graduates that are applying for licensure in the state of California are required to submit the CA application for OT licensure, application fee, Proof of Passing Exam from the NBCOT and submit an official transcript showing MOT or OTD degree to the California Board of Occupational Therapy.

Curriculum


Total Hours 16


Total Hours 17


Total Hours 19


Total Hours 17


Total Hours 12


Total Hours 12


Total Hours 12


Trimester VIII


Total Hours 12


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