Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Occupational Therapy (Grad)
Occupational Therapy Department
Ivelisse Lazzarini, EdD, OTD, OTR/L, Director
Tamerill Faison, OTD, MS, OTR/L
Erika Jones
Arleen Maknati
Kelly Spayd
Campuses
Main Campus
Summary
The professional, entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) pathway is a three-year, 105-credit, full-time program completed over nine semesters, including summers. The curriculum comprises traditional, hybrid, and fully online courses in a close-knit, cohort-based model, highlighting the importance of hands-on applications and training. Across the curriculum, students benefit from Level I and Level II clinical experiences. The OTD program culminates in a Scholarly Project Implementation Experience (SPIE), incorporating a 14-week student-designed research project and public presentation to facilitate, promote, and sustain research agendas and evidence-based occupational therapy practices.
Commitment
The NDMU Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program is committed to preparing ethical, inclusive, equitable, client-centered, evidence-based, culturally responsive, and sustainable occupational therapy practitioners and transformational leaders. Consistent with the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) Philosophical Base of Occupational Therapy (2025), the program recognizes occupation as central to health, well-being, identity, quality of life, and participation. Informed by rehabilitation science, occupational science, the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research, the program promotes equitable, inclusive, accessible, and just opportunities for occupational participation among individuals, groups, communities, and populations.
Fieldwork
Opportunities for clinical experiences are built into the curriculum to provide gradually increased levels of responsibility and experience in occupational therapy settings under the guidance and supervision of a qualified occupational therapist.
- Level I Fieldwork provides an introductory experience where you can become more comfortable with client needs in a supervised setting. It helps to enrich didactic coursework by seeing firsthand the concepts discussed in class. It also provides an opportunity to explore different practice settings. At NDMU, level I fieldwork includes placements related to physical dysfunction; mental health; pediatrics; and education, wellness, community, and emerging trends.
- Level II Fieldwork provides more in-depth experiences working directly with clients to enhance your skills as a practitioner. The NDMU curriculum includes two full-time placements.
Capstone
The capstone is the culmination of your OTD studies and is comprised by:
- Two Research Courses
- Five Capstone Planning Courses
- Capstone Presentation
- Capstone Doctoral Rotation
Planning for the doctoral capstone requires collaboration with faculty and a mentor to prepare for the experience. You will develop in-depth skills in areas such as practice, research, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development.
The Capstone Experience occurs over a minimum of 14 weeks or 560 hours under the supervision of a mentor, who may or may not be an occupational therapist depending on the expertise needed to provide appropriate direction. No more than 20% of the 560 hours may occur off-site from the mentored practice experience. Time spent off-site may include independent study activities, such as research and writing.
Program Accreditation
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program at Notre Dame University is accredited 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. 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). 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. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 12 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2023 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
Degrees and Certificates
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Occupational Therapy,
Courses
OTD-502: Development Across the Lifespan
Credits 3This course offers a view of occupation and occupational performance of various age groups across lifespan. This course uses occupational science, sociological, cultural, and environmental theories; principles; relevant practice models; and evidence to study how development across lifespan is influenced and modified through engagement in occupations and assumption of role behavior and habit patterns. Activity anlysis of occupations using developmental principles is emphasized and reinforced. methods of modification of occupations and activity to accommodate current developmental levels and to create optional challenge and promote healthy physical, emotional, and cognitive growth and skill development and performance maintenance are included in this course Basic developmental evaluations are explored and used to assess developmental progress through the lifespan. [3 credits]
OTD-504: Social Responsibility and Social Justice
Credits 3This course covers the social determinants of health and how social responsibility and occupational justice are interwoven within occupational therapy. Contextual barriers that inhibit occupational participation are introduced. Social responsibility and occupational justice, in conjunction with the outcomes of research, advocacy and intervention are emphasized. The impact of health disparities and its effects on the marginalized clients' abilities to fully engage in occupations, obtain medical, health and mental health services, and the impact of socio-economic status on the clients' housing (environment), health and well-being are also introduced. [3 credits]
OTD-509: Psychosocial Conditions in Occupational Therapy
Credits 3Epidemiology and symptomatology of psychosocial conditions and impact on emotional and physical health status, as well as on occupational engagement, skill and habit development and performance are included. Discussion of disease process and management is a focus. Review of pharmacology and side effects associated with medical invervention occurs. Activity analysis determines the impact of symptomatology and medication side-effects on occupations. Methods of modification, and approaches to prevention and wellness are a key lerning component. Corequisites: OTD-509L and OTD-512. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-509L: Psychosocial Conditions in Occupational Therapy Assessment and Treatment Lab
Credits 1Theories, frames of references, models of practice, and body of evidence that are relevant to psychosocial conditions are covered. This course offers practice skills in choosing standardized tests, interpreting normtive data, administering evaluation, referral, intervention planning, and implementing intervention, monitoring and reassessment, and discharge planning for individuals and populations. Clinical reasoning and used of evidence to select and plan intervention based on use of occupations, activities, and skill development in supportive environments and communities are emphasized along with prevention of illness and promotion of wellness. Students also practice clinical documentation and review processes for reporting client outcomes data. Co-requisites: OTD-509 and OTD-512. [ 1 credit ]
OTD-514: Level 1C Fieldwork Pediatrics
Credits 1Observation and practice of occupational therapy process under the supervision of qualified personnel in the areas of infants, toddlers, children and youth in a variety of settings. Sminar is included with an emphasis upon the development of competencies in interprofessional teaming and collaborative practice. Co-requisites: OTD-513 and OTD-513L. [ 1 credit ]
OTD-521: Policy and Ethics
Credits 3This course uses systems theory to examine the complexity of the major settings of occupational therapy delivery and the federal, state, and local laws and politics governing implementation of services, care coordination, and case management. Major insurance and methods for apyment of the services are described including Medicare/Medicaid, private insurance, private pay, and other government programs. Policy in K-12 education and in higher education and research are reviewed. Social security and programs addressing poverty, mental health, aging, and disability are addressed. Policy development processes and advocacy within a sociopolitical contect are major components. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-522: Research Methods and Application III
Credits 3This course emphasizes the process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data, the IRB, and developing the manuscript. This course also covers research dissemination avenues. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-527: Level 1D Fieldwork Education, Wellness, Community and Emerging Trends
Credits 1Observation of practice of occupational therapy process under the supervision of qualified personnel in the areas of education, wellness, community and emerging trends in a variety of settings. [ 1 credit ]
OTD-532: Foundation & Theories
Credits 4This course provides the students with an understanding of the h istorical foundation of the occupational therapy profession, focusing on philosophical assumptions, theories, and the Occupational therapy Practice Framework: Domain & Process 4th ed. (AOTA, 2020). Through interactive taching, peer instruction, and participatory activities, students investigate the complexities of occupations as the phenomena driving the practice of occupational therapy. The course also provides the students with an opportunity for interactive, dynamic, hands-on activities to develop an understanding of occupation, activity analysis, evaluation of ADLs/IADL, and professional documentation. Prerequisite: Admission to the OTD program. [ 4 credits ]
OTD-534: Neuroscience for Rehabilitation
Credits 3The anatomy and physiology of the human nervous system are introduced with an emphasis on understanding the neural basis of sensory processing, movement, emotion, and behavior, as well as the functional consequences of different types of lesions or dysfunction. Topics include neuroanatomy, development of the nervious system, the function of central, peripheral, limbic, and autonomic nervous systems, motor control, sensation (vision, hearing, vestibular, somatosensation) and cognition and how lesions within these areas can interfere with occupational performance. Typical neurological pathologies and injuries will be discussed regarding their relation to affected neurological structures and how they manifest into performance deficits of clients (social, physical, and cognitive). Laboratory sessions are focused on exploring anatomical structures of the human brain and introducing neurological assessments used in occupational therapy practice. Prerequisite: Admission to the OTD Program. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-536: Population Health and Occupational Justice
Credits 2Population health and occupational justice are emphasized in conjunction with the OTPF4 assessment, intervention and outcomes. Sustainable development social, economic, and environmental factors inhibiting or limiting occupational participation are introduced. The impact of health disparities and its effects on marginalized individuals' ability to fully engage in occupations and obtain healthcare services to sustain quality of life are discussed. Prerequisite: Admission to the OTD Program. [ 2 credits ]
OTD-537: Research I - Quantitative & Qualitative Methods
Credits 3This course is a prelude to a series of research courses. This course includes the essentials of scholarly work and research ethics. It reviews basic quantitative and qualitative designs, including probabilistic sampling and power analysis, naturalistic data collection, and inductive and statistical analysis methods used in occupational therapy. Application of these methodological and statistical reasoning approaches, including statistical and clinical significance, occur through software exercises and review of research evidence. The psychometric properties of data collection instruments are reviewed, focusing on standardization, reliability, and validity. Criterion and norm-referenced tests are studied in terms of how they are used in occupational therapy practice and research. Prerequisite: Admission to the OTD program. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-538: Healthcare Ethics, Policy and Advocacy
Credits 3This course examines advocacy methods at both the individual and systems levels. Informed by the social teaching, this course then applies ethical decision-making strategies towards creating a more just society supporting occupational participation. You will learn to advocate for the community at large within the systems that support or influence occupational participation, the profession of occupational therapy, and the consumers of occupational therapy services. Prerequisite: Admission to the OTD program. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-542: Immersive I - Mental Health in OT
Credits 4This course will familiarize students with the practice area of mental health and the application of the occupational therapy process with individuals across the lifespan who experience psychosocial impairment and/or formal psychiatric diagnosis. Using case-based competencies, the course will evaluate students' ability to identify and apply appropriate evaluation and intervention methods associated with the practice area and learned within the context of the course. Students will understand the various practice settings and service delivery models related to this practice area, from traditional to emerging. Additionally, students will discuss the variations in the occupational therapist's role and the roles of other interdisciplinary team members in each of these settings, including telehealth. The course will explore the "lived experience" and contextual factors (social, environmental and financial) of individuals, populations, and communities affected by psychiatric conditions allowing students to understand the unique impacts of associated occupational performance deficits. Prerequisite: Admission to the OTD program. [ 4 credits ]
OTD-543: Cognition Across the Lifespan
Credits 2All aspects of human memory and executive function are critical for navigating everyday life as well as sustaining quality of life. Memory and executive brain processing are critical cognitive functions to navigate everyday life. Lifespan research studies demonstrate that both exhibit relativel long developmental trajectories followed by stasis and a relative decline in old age. However, neither memory nor executive functions is a unitary construct. Both comprise separable brain structures and tend to change differently across the lifespan. Furthermore, memory is malleable and not an exact reproduction but a reconstruction of past experiences. The course will allow students to consider why this is important to occupational therapy practice and discuss, from a cognitive-neuroscience perspective, a range of topics related to the development, maintenance, and potential decline in memory and executive function from infancy through old age. Prerequisite: Admission to the OTD program. [ 2 credits ]
OTD-544: Low Vision Practice in OT
Credits 2This course provides the foundation and principles of occupational therapy for clients with low vision. Students learn how to administer client-centered assessments, develop treatment plans, and treat clients with low vision to meet the needs of this rapidly growing population. Pre-requisite: Admission to the OTD program. Co-requisites: OTD-532 and OTD-534. [ 2 credits ]
OTD-545: Level I-A Fieldwork Mental Health
Credits 0.5Fieldwork Level 1 is a part-time fieldwork experience in a behavioral health or wellness community agency setting serving patients/clients with mental health conditions. This practicum experience provides opportunities for students to practice and apply professional behaviors, interpersonal communication skills, self-reflection, and clinical reasoning skills. Students will observe and identify therapeutic use of self-priniciples and behaviors, interprofessional team members and applicable documentation written and electronic. In addition, students will observe, practice, and apply the knowledge and skills gained in the concurrent Mental Health course. Students' experiences and learning are supported by the FW Preceptor meetings/discussions in OTD 542 labs will occur with support from student peers and OT faculty lab instructor feedback. Students can obtain support individually from the Clinical FW Team (AFWC and FW Perceptors) throughout the fieldwork experience as needed. Pre-requisites: OTD-532 and OTD-534. Co-requisite: OTD-542. [.5 credits)
OTD-546: Research II Mix Methods/Stats
Credits 3In this course, students use narrative and statistical methods to describe the research projects' design. This course emphasizes the processes of evidence-based practice involving question formation, literature searches and appraisal, and synthesis and recommendations for practice change. A paper describing a research prospectus's design is the course's hallmark. Pre-requisite: Admission to the OTD program. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-548: Clinical Medicine & Pharmacology
Credits 3This course presents the etiology, pharmacology, and symptoms of medical conditions across the lifespan that are commonly referred to occupational therapy services. Course content emphasizes the effects of trauma, disease, and congenital conditions on the biological, psychological, and social domains of occupational behavior. An exploration of cultural perspectives on disease and wellness will be included. The course is designed to collaborate with and compliment information presented in Physical Disabilities, Pediatrics, Mental Health and Psychosocial Practice, and to provide a throughout provacative basis for Professional Skills as well as Ethics, Management, and Leadership. This fits the design of the program curriculum and is considered essential as a basis to establish and understand the effects of disease on occupational performance and community health outcomes. Pre-requsites: OTD-532 and OTD-534. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-549: Interprofessional Healthcare Engagement
Credits 1This interprofessional course focuses on preparing healthcare professionals with the foundational skills needed to collaborate and consider sustainable health development practices effectively. Particular emphasis will be on identifing and stratifying populations at risk due to environmental changes affecting population health and healthcare practices. The focus is on applying the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework to larger interprofessional initiatives concerned with society's environmental, social, and economic issues, communication, collaboration, leadership, and professionalism. Global (United Nations) and National standards initiatives form the foundation of the course. Prerequisites: OTD-532 and OTD-538. [ 1 credit ]
OTD-551: Immersive II - Physical Rehabilitation I
Credits 4This course builds on the foundational principles to prepare students to develop and implement evidenced-based, and client-centered intervention, related to the OTPF 4 areas of occupation for a variety of clients and diagnosis, along the continuum of practice settings. Lab experiences will promote critical analysis and facilitate growth of a clinical skill set. Case based learning will be used to promote clinical and ethical reasoning to determine the appropriate intervention approach for a particular client. Competency in entry-level intervention skills are emphasized throughout the course in preparation for Fieldwork experiences. During the semester, students will complete a Level 1 or practicum experience (OTD 559). The experience will provide direct exposure to specific clinical aspects of occupational therapy in a selected adult fieldwork setting. This practicum experience will prvide an opportunity to observe and practice the knowledge and skills gained during the integrated OTD-551 and OTD-559 experience. Corequisite: OTD-542. [ 4 credits ]
OTD-552: Anatomy and Biomechanics
Credits 3This course incorporates functional anatomy and biomechanical principles, theories, practice models, and evidence to kinetics and kinematics in understanding movement, posture, and stability. Biomechanical activity analyses foster learning of internal bodily forces and external gravitational, object-related, and frictional forces created during engagement in occupation. The concept of occupational adaptation and activity analysis are introduced to manage forces that inhibit optimal occupational performance. Basic evaluation tools of manual muscle testing, strength testing, and range of motion are practiced, along with understanding the aplication of biomechanics to intervention methods. Pre-requisite: OTD-534. Co-requisites: OTD-551 and OTD-553. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-553: Upper Extremity OT Rehabilitation
Credits 2This course provides students with the knowledge and skills to perform occupation-based evaluations and interventions for individuals with acute and chronic upper extremity disorders. Students learn static and dynamic splinting, appropriate use of physical agent modalities, and rehabilitation treatment practices for scapular manipulation, ratotor cuff pathologies, tendon or nerve injuries, scar management, and wound healing. Students will also learn effective orthotic approaches that incorporate anatomical and neurological knowledge and skills. Pre-requisite: OTD-534. Co-requisites: OTD-551. [ 2 credits ]
OTD-554: Level I-B Fieldwork Physical Disabilities
Credits 0.5The goal of the Physical Rehabilitation Level I-B Fieldwork is to introduce students to the fieldwork experience, apply knowledge to practice, and develop an understanding of the needs of their clients. Students will complete a part-time fieldwork experience in a community-based program/agency or an occupational therapy setting. Students will also participate in structured reflection and discussion about their on-site experiences embedded in the OTD-551 course. Pre-requisites: OTD-542 and OTD-545. Co-requisite: OTD-551. [ .5 credits }
OTD-555: Captstone Planning
Credits 1In this course students will work with a faculty mentor to implement sound and ethical evidence-based doctoral capstone project. The course is delivered entirely online. Instructional and assessment techniques include asynchronous and synchronous virtual lectures, practice writing research components (research question, problem, purpose, and gap in practice), as well as development of a professional e-portfolio including all components of the capstone project implementation. Prerequisites: OTD-537 and OTD-546. [ 1 credit ]
OTD-601: Immersive Iii: Pediatrics and Youth
Credits 5This pediatric course engages students in an integrated, practice-based exploration of occupational therapy with infants, children, and youth across medical, early intervention, community, and school contexts. Through longitudinal case scenarios, simulation and lab experiences, and guided debriefing, students apply the full occupational therapy process, from occupational profile and evaluation to intervention and outcomes, while developing evidence-informed, family-centered, and culturally responsive approaches to pediatric participation in daily routines. Emphasis is placed on professional reasoning, documentation, interprofessional collaboration, and ethical decision-making as students work with cases that include increasingly complex psychosocial, physical, and contextual barriers to occupational performance. Throughout the semester, OTD 601 is ententionally coordinated with the pediatric Level I/Practicum (OTD-611), enabling students to observe, practice, and reflect on the skills and reasoning developed in the immersive course within authentic pediatric practice settings. Prerequisites: OTD-534, OTD-542 and OTD-551. Corequisite: OTD-602. [ 5 credits ]
OTD-603: NeuroRehabilitation
Credits 3Advanced course integrating previously learned and new skills/techniques into the comprehensive rehabilitation of selected neurological disorders. Time management, creative thinking, decision-making, problem-solving and reasoning abilities as they relate to progressing the plan of care are emphasized. Sections of study will include selexted progressive disabilities, traumatic brain injury, cerebral vascular accident, cognition, perceptual deficits, spinal cord injury, movement disorder secondary to neurologic injury or disease and periatric neurological conditions. Medical information will include disease description, etiology, pathology, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, medical management, and precautions or special considerations pertinent to occupational therapist. Laboratory sessions provide students with the opportunity to develop competency in formal and informal assessment use in neuro-rehabilitation including cognitive and perceptual evaluations. Prerequisites: OTD-534, OTD-551 and OTD-552. Corequisite: OTD-601. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-605: Assistive Technology in Populations
Credits 2Assistive technology (AT) devices and services and accessibility interventions have the potential to impact the lives of persons with disabilities, resulting in increased independence and participation in their daily occupations. This course will focus on learning about the various types of assistive technology devices and services including but not limited to "evaluation and assessment, selection and training, procurement, legislation and funding." It will also address different accessibility interventions in home, community, school, and education practice. Students will gain an understanding of these applications as they pertain to the communication, learning and environmental issues for persons with disabilities. Prerequisite: Admission to the OTD program. [ 2 credits ]
OTD-608: Capstone Planning II
Credits 2In this course students will work with a faculty mentor to implement sound and ethical evidence-based doctoral capstone project. The course is delivered entirely online. Instructional and assessment techniques include asynchronous and synchronous virtual lectures, practice writing research components (research question, problem, purpose, and gap in practice), as well as development of a professional e-portfolio including all components of the capstone project implementation. Prerequisite: OTD-555. [ 2 credits ]
OTD-611: Level I-C Fieldwork Pediatrics
Credits 0.5The goal of the Pediatric Level I-C Fieldwork is to introduce students to the fieldwork experience, apply knowledge to practice, and develop an understanding of the needs of their clients. Students will complete a part-time fieldwork experience in a school-based or community program/agency or an occupational therapy setting. Students will also participate in structured reflection and discussion about their on-site experiences embedded in the OTD-601 course. Prerequisites: OTD-551 and OTD-554. Corequisite: OTD-601. [ .5 credits ]
OTD-612: Level I-D Fieldwork Emerging Areas
Credits 0.5The goal of the OT Emerging Practice Areas Level I-D Fieldwork is to introduce students to the fieldwork experience, apply knowledge to practice, and develop an understanding of the needs of their clients. Students will complete a part-time fieldwork experience in a school-based or community program/agency or an occupational therapy setting. Students will also participate in structured reflection and discussion about their on-site experiences embedded in the OTD-623 course. Prerequisites: OTD-601 and OTD-611. Corequisite: OTD-623. [ .5 credits)
OTD-621: Leadership and Management in Occupational Therapy
Credits 3This course uses business principles and the economics of healthcare, management evidence, and use of outcomes data to guide occupational therapy service delivery. Innovation and entrepreneurial principles and theories are introduced to assist in developing new programs and innovated services. Supervision of personnel, including occupational therapy assistants, leading and forming interprofessional teams and collaborative practice are covered. Leadership theories and professional leadership experiences are provided through encouraged involvement in professional associations and other community leadership opportunities. Prerequisite: OTD-605. Corequisite: OTD-627. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-623: Aging and Wellness
Credits 3The focus of this course is on the largest growing demographic group in this century, older adults. You will explore a range of geriatric practice settings and service delivery models. You will apply evidence-based theories, models, and frames of reference that shape occupational therapy evaluation for older adults. This course will address the complex physical, psychosocial, and contextual barriers to occupational performance for older adults. You will examine primary conditions encountered, and learn how to evaluate the subsequent effects on an individual's occupational performance using a wide variety of assessment tools. Evidenced-based practice and ethical decision-making will be emphasized throughout this course. Prerequisite: OTD-542. Corequisite: OTD-551. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-625: Quality Improvement Through Translational Science
Credits 3This course will introduce students to concepts in quality improvement and the current post-acute healthcare environment that is creating a culture of quality and value-based purchasing. Students will understand the components of a qulity indicator, including both process and outcome indicators. Students will reflect on how the field of healthcare generally, and their own practice specifically, can benefit from defining and monitoring quality. The course will also consider how to develop and validate quality indicators and implement quality improvement projects, exploring the connection with evidence-based practice. Students will learn how to track and mmonitor quality improvement projects. Prerequisites: OTD-537 and OTD-546. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-627: Business Plan and Business Development in OT
Credits 3Students will learn how to use screening and feasibility tools to effectively conduct a business analysis to determine the worthiness of a potential new business idea. They will also complete a business plan including an executive summary, industry and market analysis, a marketing strategy and plan, operations plan, product/service development plan and company structure. Lastly, students will identify the financial requirements of a new business and develop pro forma financial statements (e.g. income statement, balance sheet, cash flow, etc. Prerequisites: OTD-532, OTD-542, OTD-551 and OTD-601. Corequisite: OTD-621. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-628: Capstone Planning III
Credits 1In this course students will work with a faculty mentor to implement sound and ethical evidence-based doctoral capstone project. The course is delivered entirely online. Instructional and assessment techniques include asynchronous and synchronous virtual lectures, practice writing research components (research question, problem, purpose, and gap in practice), as well as development of a professional e-portfolio including all components of the capstone project implementation. Prerequisites: OTD-555 and OTD-608. Corequisite: OTD-625. [ 1 credit ]
OTD-631: Advanced Practice in OT: Borders and Barriers
Credits 3This advanced course focus is on exploring present and pressing issues within Occupational Therapy practice. Additionally, the students embark on a journey to explore the World Health Organization-International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and the Occupational Therapy Framework to deepen students' ability to critically analyze and discern how the meaning found in human occupations influences health and well-being and drive client-centered treatment. The course will focus on payment systems and its relationship to quality of care and students will discuss market trends and change facilitators. All emerging practice areas are discussed, including primary care, to explore the fole of OT and develop strategies to promote the value of OT in contexts explored. Students may focus on infants, children, adults and older adults, or any other rehabilitation specialization. Prerequisites: OTD-532, OTD-542, OTD-551, OTD-601 and OTD-623. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-633: OT Instructional Design, Strategies and Delivery Methods
Credits 3This course is designed to create a framework for your understanding of instructional strategies and their effective application in the classroom. The course is based and links to previously acquired knowledge in lerning theories and evidence-based teaching. Students will learn about various instructional strategies to enhance interdisciplinary learning experiences in health professions education. Instructional methods will include such collaborative educational models as small and large group teaching, team-based, interactive and expriential case-based learning. Techniques will include the use of simulations as well as teaching at the bedside with a focus on educator behaviors that stimulate achievement of learners. With an appreciation of the diversity of the student body, participants will effectively integrate and apply technology into instruction to develop and deliver health professions curricula including web-based teaching environments, content management systems, collaborative project development, and interactive media with an emphasis on instructional design advancements which affect the learning environment. Evidence of participants' knowledge and application of course topics will be captured in a professional portfolio. Prerequisite: OTD-532. [ 3 credits ]
OTD-635: Capstone Planning IV
Credits 2In lthis course students will work with a faculty mentor to implement sound and ethical evidence-based doctoral capstone project. The course is delievered entirely online. Instructional and assessment techniquest include asynchronous and synchronous virtual lectures, practice writing research components (research question, problem, purpose, and gap in practice), as well as development of a professional e-portfolio including all components of the capstone project implementation. Prerequisites: OTD-555, OTD-608 and OTD-628. [ 2 credits ]
OTD-638: Professional Seminar
Credits 2This seminar prepares you for your level II FW Professional Experiences under the supervision of a clinical fieldwork instructor and the program Fieldwork Coordinator. This seminar is designed to provide a forum for you to prepare for the transition from the academic setting to the practice setting. Attendance is mandatory and the instructor must be notified prior to Seminar if you are unable to attend. The Seminar will be graded "Pass/Fail" based on your attendance, participation, and a minimum score of 80 on the Final Quiz. Our focus will be on transitioning from the classroom environment and academic student role to the practice environment and the fieldwork student role. Topics will include, yet may not be limited to the following: NDMU Fieldwork Policies and Procedures, Transition from Classroom to Practice Settings, Level II Expectations, Fieldwork Evaluation Procedures, Supervisory Relationships and Professional Licensure and Credentialing, including NBCOT Examination. Prerequisites: All previous courses from Semesters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. [ 2 credits ]
OTD-642: Capstone Planning V
Credits 1In this course students will work with a faculty mentor to implement sound and ethical evidence-based doctoral capstone project. The course is delivered entirely online. Instructional and assessment techniques include asynchronous and synchronous virtual lectures, practice writing research compoenents (research question, problem, purpose, and gap in practice), as well as development of a professional e-portfolio including all components of the capstone project implementation. Prerequisites: OTD-555, OTD-608, OTD-628 AND OTD-635. [ 1 credit ]
OTD-650: Level II A Fieldwork
Credits 8This course provides supervised experiential learning for analysis, synthesis, and application of all educational components to the reality of occupational therapy practice. [C.1.O] A student is required to complete a minimum of the equivalent of 24 weeks, full time for Level II fieldwork. Fieldwork is completed in an approved setting on a full time or part time basis, but may not be less than half time. Reflective practice assignments ensure that students link didactic coursework to fieldwork experiences. Prerequisite: All OT didactic courses. [ 8 credits ]
OTD-660: Level II B Fieldwork
Credits 8This course provides supervised experiential learning for analysis, synthesis, and application of all educational components to the reality of occupational therapy practice. [C.1.O] A student is required to complete a minimum of the equivalent of 24 weeks, full time for Level II fieldwork. Fieldwork is completed in an approved setting on a full time or part time basis but may not be less than half time. Reflective practice assignments ensure that students link didactic coursework to fieldwork experiences. Prerequisite: Completion of all OTD didactic courses. [ 8 credits ]
OTD-700: Doctoral Experiential Seminar
Credits 1This eminar aims to prepare students for the Doctoral Experiential Component under the supervision of mentors, academic or clinical perceptors. Prerequisite: Competion of OTD-650. Corequisite: OTD-660. [ 1 credit ]
OTD-720: Doctoral Rotation/Residency
Credits 9Students pursing a doctoral degree (OTD) are required to complete a fourteen-week Doctoral Experiential Component. The goal of this experiential component is to develop occupational therapists with advanced skills (those beyond a generalist level), and it is integral to acquiring deeper practice-scholar competencies as reflected in the program's curriculum design. In addition to patient care, opportunities to develop leadership skills include public speaking, participating in an interdisciplinary team and program development. This 9-credit course provides an in-depth, customized experience specific to the doctoral pursuit of the occupational therapy student, and the opportunity to extend the refine knowledge and skills acquired in the curriculum. Students may participate in learning experiences that include a focus on theory development, research, policy, advanced clinical practice, advocacy, teaching, administration, leadership, etc. Each OTD student must successfully complete a minimum of 14 weeks (560) hours of the doctoral experiential component. Prerequisites: OTD-650 and OTD-660. [ 9 credits ]
OTD-721: Capstone Presentation
Credits 1Dissemination of Doctoral Capstone Project; presentation of the final scholarly project to faculty, family, peers, university stakeholders, and public. The capstone project culminates the OTD program and helps you to transition into the role of an academic scholar as well as a professional in your field. Prerequisites: Completion of OTD-660 and OTD-720. [ 1 credit ]