Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Pending ACOTE candidacy/accreditation
Program Admission Requirements
All students will first enter the MSOT program and complete Semester 1 (Spring 2), Semester 2 (Summer 1) and Semester 3 (Fall 1) as MSOT students. By October 1 of Semester 3 (Fall 1) , MSOT students interested in pursuing the doctoral degree will apply directly to the OTD program (no use of the centralized application system is required).
OTD admission requirements include:
- MSOT program cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at time of application to OTD program
- A grade of “B” or better in all MSOT courses up to point of OTD application
– Anticipated grade of “B” or better on MSOT courses in progress at time of application
- No more than one academic alert and no academic warnings received in MSOT program for professional behavior up to time of application
- Completion of OTD program consult with OTS Program Director and Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
- Written statement of interest which includes rationale for application to OTD program
Acceptance to the OTD program will be contingent upon students maintaining the minimal GPA requirement through the end of the MSOT Semester 3 (Fall 1).
Once a student has been notified of accepted into the doctorate program, they have until the final day of the MSOT Semester 3 (Fall 1) to confirm their acceptance in writing with the OTD program. A lack of written confirmation of acceptance by the final day of the MSOT Semester 3 (Fall 1) will result in being removed from the OTD roster and the student will continue to progress with the MSOT degree plan.
Once the student begins coursework in the OTD program (Semester 4, Spring 2), the student may not switch back to the MSOT program. Exceptions may be granted under extenuating circumstances with program director approval.
Graduation requirements:
- Satisfactory completion of all MSOT Level I and level II fieldwork experiences
- Satisfactory completion of all coursework with a minimum course and program GPA of 3.0
– No grade of “C” in any course throughout the program
- Successful completion of all doctoral capstone requirements
- Successful completion of required volunteer hours
- Successful completion of required professional development hours
DOCTORAL-DEGREE-LEVEL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PROGRAM
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Degree Requirements
Semester 1 - Spring 1 (MSOT)
| OCTH 6320 | Human Occupation | 3 |
| OCTH 6321 | Foundations of Occupation: Movement | 3 |
| OCTH 6322 | Foundations of Occupation: Neuroscience | 3 |
| OCTH 6310 | Occupational Therapy Theory and Process | 3 |
| OCTH 6180 | Foundations of Occupation-Based Practice | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Semester 2 - Summer 1 (MSOT)
| OCTH 6250 | Evidence-Based Practice 1 | 2 |
| OCTH 6440 | Occupational Performance: Psychosocial Influences | 4 |
| OCTH 6315 | Therapeutic Processes in OT | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Semester 3 - Fall 1 (MSOT)
| OCTH 6350 | Evidence-Based Practice 2 | 3 |
| OCTH 6430 | Neurological Assessment & Intervention 1 | 4 |
| OCTH 6331 | Foundations of Occupation: Chronic Conditions | 3 |
| OCTH 6432 | Musculoskeletal Assessment & Intervention | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Semester 4 - Spring 2 (OTD)
| OCTH 7451 | Pediatric Practice 1: Clinical Context | 4 |
| OCTH 7355 | Adult Practice 1: Community Context | 3 |
| OCTH 7435 | Neurological Assessment & Intervention 2 | 4 |
| OCTH 7260 | Professional Writing | 2 |
| OCTH 7110 | Capstone 1: Exploration | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Semester 5 - Summer 2 (OTD)
| OCTH 7460 | Leadership & Management in OT | 4 |
| OCTH 7465 | Functional Cognition | 4 |
| OCTH 7115 | Immersive Practice Applications | 1 |
| OCTH 7120 | Capstone Preparation 2 – Development | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Semester 6 - Fall 2 (OTD)
| OCTH 7352 | Pediatric Practice 2 - Community | 3 |
| OCTH 7356 | Adult Practice – Clinical Context | 3 |
| OCTH 7491 | Case-Based Special Topics | 4 |
| OCTH 7230 | Integration of Occupation Based Practice | 2 |
| OCTH 7130 | Capstone Preparation 3 – Intensive Preparation | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Semester 7 - Spring 3 (OTD)
Semester 8 - Summer 3 (OTD)
| OCTH 7310 | Capstone 4: Seminar | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Semester 9 - Fall 3 (OTD)
| OCTH 7610 | Capstone Experience | 6 |
| OCTH 7140 | Capstone Project Dissemination | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 7 |
Total Credit Hours: 93