Occupational Therapy, OTD



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


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. 


Program Curriculum

108 credits

OTDR 7111Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology 4
OTDR 7112Occupational Therapy Skills Lab1
OTDR 7113Foundations of Occupational Therapy 3
OTDR 7114Evidence Based Practice and Clinical Research3
OTDR 7115Occupational Therapy Practice3
OTDR 7116Professional Development in Occupational Therapy2
OTDR 7117Occupation & Health Conditions2
OTDR 7122Occupational Therapy Process for Community2
OTDR 7123OT Across the Lifespan2
OTDR 7124Occupational Therapy Intervention: Children and Youth5
OTDR 7125Level I Fieldwork: Pediatrics2
OTDR 7126Professional Development in Occupational Therapy II0.5
OTDR 7127Therapeutic Use of Self and Group Process in Occupational Therapy2
OTDR 7128Professional Documentation2
OTDR 7132Occupational Therapy Program Development3
OTDR 7134Research Design and Scholarly Project 3
OTDR 7135Assistive Technology and Orthotics3
OTDR 7212Leadership and Advocacy in Occupational Therapy Practice2
OTDR 7213Management of Occupational Therapy Service 2
OTDR 7214Practice with Adults and Older Adults with Physical Challenges5
OTDR 7215Level I Fieldwork: Adults2
OTDR 7216Professional Development in OT III0.5
OTDR 7217Neuroscience3
OTDR 7222Distance Education and Telehealth in OT2
OTDR 7223Problem Based Cases3
OTDR 7224OT Intervention for Adults with Psychosocial Challenges5
OTDR 7225Level I Fieldwork: Older Adults2
OTDR 7235Fieldwork Level IIA11
OTDR 7315Fieldwork Level IIB11
OTDR 7981Capstone Preparation I1
OTDR 7601Advanced Graduate Seminar: Neuroplasticity and Occupational Performance1
OTDR 7971Capstone Experience12
OTDR 7982Capstone Preparation II1
OTDR 7983Capstone Preparation III1
OTDR 7984Capstone Preparation IV1
Total Hours108

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.