The minimum requirements for program length and quality standards for the OTD graduate degree program at Notre Dame of Maryland University is described below. Requirements for graduate degree programs may be refined from time to time as determined by the University in its academic judgment. Even after the requirements for a degree have been fulfilled, each student must complete the degree application to graduate. The “Apply to Graduate” option is found within the university portal. No degree can be processed unless the degree application is completed.
Doctoral Degree
The successful completion of 124 weeks and 104 credits are the minimum requirement for the awarding of the NDMU-OTD degree.
Graduation Requirements
All occupational therapy doctoral graduate students must successfully complete the 104 credits of the NDMU-OTD program curriculum within five years from the date of matriculation in order to be eligible for graduation; this includes successful completion of all Level I and Level II fieldwork rotations, their doctoral capstone project and final capstone presentation. In addition, occupational therapy graduate students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or greater to receive an OTD degree.
Enrollment Status and Normal Study Load
Full-time status as a graduate student at Notre Dame of Maryland University is defined as a minimum enrollment of 13.5 to 15 semester hours during the Fall and Spring semesters, and 9 to 10.5 semester hours during the Summer semesters.
Progression
Students are promoted from one semester to the next, from the didactic to the clinical semester, and graduated based on performance related to both academic progress, professional behaviors, and ability to maintain Essential Functions and Professional Behavioral Expectations (outlined in the OTD Student Handbook).
Probation
A student who fails to meet academic, behavioral objectives, and/or essential function expectations may be placed on academic and/or behavioral probation. A student earning a grade less than a B- in any course will be placed on academic probation. A student who fails a Level II fieldwork rotation will be placed on probation and required to repeat the rotation, which may be prior to advancing to taking any other courses in the program. This may result in the student waiting up to one full year before being able to repeat the failed rotation and subsequently resuming his/her program. A student who receives a score of 23 or below on the professional behavior rubric will be placed on behavioral probation for a minimum of one semester. Students on academic or behavioral probation may not be allowed to progress to level II fieldwork until completing specific remediation related to academic or professional behavior concerns.