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
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 |
Graduation Requirements
- 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.
- Complete all program and university requirements.
- Apply for graduation by the dates posted.
- Obtain final approval for graduation from the Graduate Council.