Occupational Therapy, OTD

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Program Description

Occupational therapy is an evidence based healthcare profession deeply rooted in science that helps people across the lifespan adapt to injury, illness, or disability through therapeutic intervention. The proposed Occupational Therapy Doctoral Degree (OTD) is a 108 credit, entry-level program that emphasizes the understanding that engagement in everyday activities is essential to the development, adaptation, and well-being of individuals and populations across the lifespan. The entry-level nature of the program is interpreted to mean that entering students need only a bachelor's degree to be admitted and reflects the direction of the discipline as further explained below.  The program will prepare students to assist clients who are limited by physical, cognitive, psychosocial, developmental, and environmental conditions in order to maximize their independence and maintain optimum health and wellness.  Students will engage in exemplary learning activities and training opportunities within an interdisciplinary team working with multiculturally diverse populations and engaging in rural and global health services within the context of community based practices.  Graduates of the program 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) for licensure in Utah. In Utah, occupational therapists are licensed annually by the Utah Board of Occupational Therapy (https://dopl.utah.gov/ot/).Admission Requirements

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Admission Requirements

Apply through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). 
 
B.A. or B.S. from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent for international students with the following prerequisites (with a grade of C or higher) or equivalent from other institutions: 

• Human Anatomy (lab not required)
• Human Physiology (lab not required)
• Introduction to Physics
• Statistics
• Introduction to Sociology
• Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
• General Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Human Development Across the Lifespan
• Technical/Scientific Writing
• Medical Terminology 

 Additional Requirements:

• 20 hours of OT observation 
• Three letters of recommendation one of which must be from a Healthcare Professional 
• Personal Essay & Supplemental Essay 
• International students must demonstrate language proficiency in Standard American English.
• Criminal background check**
• Technical standards form (will be made available upon acceptance)
• OT coursework completed at another university within the past ten (10) years will be reviewed by the faculty admissions committee to determine whether students should receive credit 

 Note: ** Can be completed between acceptance and program start. The Occupational Therapy Doctorate will commence in the Spring of 2024. 

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Program Curriculum

108 credits

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
OTDR 7111	Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology	4
OTDR 7112	Occupational Therapy Skills Lab	1
OTDR 7113	Foundations of Occupational Therapy	3
OTDR 7114	Evidence Based Practice and Clinical Research	3
OTDR 7115	Occupational Therapy Practice	3
OTDR 7116	Professional Development in Occupational Therapy	2
OTDR 7117	Occupation & Health Conditions	2
OTDR 7122	Occupational Therapy Process for Community	2
OTDR 7123	OT Across the Lifespan	2
OTDR 7124	Occupational Therapy Intervention: Children and Youth	5
OTDR 7125	Level I Fieldwork: Pediatrics	2
OTDR 7126	Professional Development in Occupational Therapy II	0.5
OTDR 7127	Therapeutic Use of Self and Group Process in Occupational Therapy	2
OTDR 7128	Professional Documentation	2
OTDR 7132	Occupational Therapy Program Development	3
OTDR 7134	Research Design and Scholarly Project	3
OTDR 7135	Assistive Technology and Orthotics	3
OTDR 7212	Leadership and Advocacy in Occupational Therapy Practice	2
OTDR 7213	Management of Occupational Therapy Service	2
OTDR 7214	Practice with Adults and Older Adults with Physical Challenges	5
OTDR 7215	Level I Fieldwork: Adults	2
OTDR 7216	Professional Development in OT III	0.5
OTDR 7217	Neuroscience	3
OTDR 7222	Distance Education and Telehealth in OT	2
OTDR 7223	Problem Based Cases	3
OTDR 7224	OT Intervention for Adults with Psychosocial Challenges	5
OTDR 7225	Level I Fieldwork: Older Adults	2
OTDR 7235	Fieldwork Level IIA	11
OTDR 7315	Fieldwork Level IIB	11
OTDR 7981	Capstone Preparation I	1
OTDR 7601	Advanced Graduate Seminar: Neuroplasticity and Occupational Performance	1
OTDR 7971	Capstone Experience	12
OTDR 7982	Capstone Preparation II	1
OTDR 7983	Capstone Preparation III	1
OTDR 7984	Capstone Preparation IV	1
Total Hours		108

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Graduation Requirements

1. Complete 108 required credits with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, no individual course grade lower than a C, a final grade of S for those courses that are S/N, and satisfactory professional behaviors.
2. Complete all program and university requirements.
3. Apply for graduation by the dates posted.  
4. Obtain final approval for graduation from the Graduate Council.

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Learning Outcomes

At the successful conclusion of this program, students will be able to: 

1. Integrate professional reasoning and clinical judgement to evaluate models, policies, and systems in current or emerging occupational therapy practice settings.
2. Develop and employ theoretically sound, evidence-informed occupational therapy programs, and practices that incorporate an ecological perspective of human health.
3. Demonstrate professionalism, ethical behavior, leadership, and advocacy skills to influence positive change with clients, communities, and the profession.
4. Appraise the diversity of individual and group occupations and provide culturally relevant and meaningful occupational therapy respecting the dignity of every person. 
5. Develop self-reflection skills to be compassionate, caring, and thoughtful occupational therapists committed to lifelong learning and promoting health, healing, and hope in response to human conditions.
6. Collaborate and form partnerships with related disciplines and stakeholders in the community to co-create and devise transformative strategies with ingenuity. 
7. Integrate and apply in-depth knowledge and proficiency, through capstone experience and project, in one of the following areas: clinical practice, research, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory.