2020-2021 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Occupational Therapy OTD, (Post-Professional)


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OT Doctoral Program Coordinator: Ellen McLaughlin, EdD, OTR/L

The OTD degree is designed to provide occupational therapists with advanced clinical, practice management, teaching, and administrative skills. The program emphasizes integration of theory and practice, professional and clinical skills, critical self-assessment, clinical reasoning and decision-making skills, advocacy and health policy. The post professional program is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills that practitioners bring from clinical practice and life experiences. Students complete an individualized capstone project related to their area of specialization. Program graduates should qualify for upper level management positions in a diverse range of practice environments and will be poised to become leaders in the profession.

Curriculum and Program Delivery

The OTD curriculum is composed of 24 credits of core courses that address the competencies required of leaders and advocates in the profession. These courses address advanced theory, advanced research, program development and evaluation, occupational science, and public policy and advocacy. Capstone course work requires the integration of these content areas into a clinical project, which is formally evaluated and presented through professional presentation and/or publication. Each student also completes 9 credits in elective coursework, for a total of 33 credits for the doctoral course work, and may choose either a pediatric or geriatric specialization if interested in specializing. A combination delivery model of face-to-face and distance learning is used.

Classes meet on campus one weekend day at the beginning and end of each semester. The program is designed to be completed part-time (2 classes per semester) over a two year tri-semester period.

Program Goals

The OTD program goals are focused in areas of research, advanced practice, leadership and administration. Graduates will:

  1. be proficient in critically appraising, applying and contributing to evidence that supports occupation-based practice.
  2. synthesize and apply advanced theoretical concepts and clinical skills in selected areas of practice.
  3. enhance their leadership and advocacy skills to promote occupational participation in light of human dynamics and private and public policy influences.
  4. design and administer effective, fiscally responsible client-centered programs.

Admission Criteria:

A Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy or related field. Students with Master’s degree in a related field must have an undergraduate statistics course and a graduate level research course.

  Licensed OT
  Completed application including official transcripts, three references, statement of professional goals
  Minimum GPA of 3.0 in graduate studies
  Interview

Accepted students begin the OTD program during in the fall semester. Specialization credits may be taken prior to formal matriculation into the OTD program. Refer to the Misericordia University web site for application and interview dates.

To apply for admission, students must submit the following:

  Online application form
  $60 application fee
  Application statement of purpose and practice goals
  Current Resume
  Official transcripts for occupational therapy education
  Copy of NBCOT certification
  Copy of current state license/certification in a US jurisdiction
  Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score with a minimum of 550 (213 if computer generated).
  Three letters of recommendation (one recommendation must be from a licensed occupational therapist).

Applicants must apply online.

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Course Sequence


Total Credits 6


Second Semester Spring


Total Credits 6


Third Semester Summer


Total Credits 6


Year 2 - Fourth Semester Fall


Total Credits 6


Total Credits 6


Sixth Semester Summer


Total Credits 3


Capstone Project


The capstone project is a credited course, OTD 650 . Students will submit a proposal for a capstone project in the fall or spring semester of their final year. The level of independent study and initiative required by the student for both capstone development and implementation will be high. It is an integrative piece, with the goal of producing an outcome that demonstrates their ability to apply advanced clinical proficiency in their specialization area. It is a true integration of the four program objectives. Guidance for capstone proposal development will be provided on an online tutorial, and proposals will be approved by a committee of the faculty. Students will be assigned a capstone facilitator who will serve as the contact person and mentor throughout the capstone project. Each capstone course section will include one faculty facilitator and up to five doctoral students. Students will be required to come to campus to present their capstone project once completed.

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