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 USAHS’s OTD program is to graduate a diverse population of Occupational Therapy practitioners with the doctoral 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 will serve. The OTD graduates will contribute to their profession and to a global society through their competence, ethical standards and professionalism. Upon successful completion of the OTD program, graduates will demonstrate preparation beyond the generalist level in practice, theory and research skills, leadership, advocacy, and program development. 

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 healthcare 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, et cetera based on an expanded view of individual client interventions to a global perspective of OT, and
• disseminate findings of scholarly inquiry that delves deeply into a clearly articulated problem facing OT professionals that impacts future practice.

Program Prerequisites

Please see Admissions, Records, and Registration  for prerequisites and application information.

Delivery of Coursework

The OTD residential program is 117 credits and is offered 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 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of all prior didactic portions of the program. Students must complete an individual 14-week capstone experience within 18 months following completion of the remaining didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.

For further information about accreditation contact: Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, phone 301-652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org.

Standard Occupational Classification codes for which program is intended to prepare graduates: Occupational Therapist (29-1122); Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary (25-1071)

California OT Licensure

As of the date of publication of the catalog/handbook, 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.

Washington State Residents

Occupational Therapy program students should check with the Washington Department of Health, Health Profession Quality Assurance Division, to determine if their program will prepare them for licensure in Washington State.