Occupational Therapy Doctorate - OTD

The entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree program is for students with an earned baccalaureate degree, who have completed explicit prerequisites, to enter the profession of occupational therapy. Students receive an entry-level practice degree at the clinical doctoral level. The doctoral degree in the profession includes extensive education and training in normal development, structure, function and impairments in body systems and body functions, and participation problems, concerns and solutions. There is also work focused on advanced practice including clinical reasoning, occupational therapy theory, evidence-based practice, research, and advocacy and leadership. Graduates are prepared to work with individuals, groups, communities and populations to implement programs inclusive of occupational therapy services. Inter- and intra-professional education and practice models are emphasized. The culminating project is the doctoral capstone and experience.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:

• Assist clients with maximizing health, well-being, and quality of life through interventions that support normal human development and functioning.
• Provide effective client-centered solutions utilizing evidence-based practice.
• Facilitate and support client participation in occupations.
• Practice collaborative leadership as an occupational therapy professional.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate 

Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)   

Credits Core Courses
OTD7015	Foundations of Occupational Therapy	3
OTD7030	Human Occupations and Participation Across the Lifespan	2
OTD7060	Occupational Perspective on Health	3
OTD7070	Introduction to Fieldwork	1
OTD7110	Kinesiology	4
OTD7130	Occupational Therapy Assessment and Theory Across the Life Span	3
OTD7160	Human Conditions I	3
OTD7170	Occupational Performance and Participation in Groups	3
OTD7190	Research I	3
OTD7210	Neuroscience	4
OTD7260	Human Conditions II	3
OTD8140	Healthcare Systems and Policy	3
OTD8215	Introduction to Capstone I	2
OTD8220	Research II	3
OTD8235	Occupational Therapy Practice I	5
OTD8280	Level IA Fieldwork	1
OTD8310	Leadership and Advocacy	3
OTD8320	Research III	3
OTD8330	Theoretical and Clinical Reasoning in Context	3
OTD8345	Occupational Therapy Practice II	5
OTD8380	Level IB Fieldwork	1
OTD8395	Program Development and Grant Writing	2
OTD8420	Technology and Innovation in Occupational Therapy	2
OTD8455	Occupational Therapy Practice III	5
OTD8480	Level IC Fieldwork	1
OTD8520	Introduction to Capstone II	3
OTD8540	Contemporary Concepts in Occupational Therapy	2
OTD8560	Teaching and Learning in Occupational Therapy	2
OTD8660	Occupational Therapy Practice IV	5
OTD8720	Level ID Fieldwork	1
OTD9810	Level IIA Fieldwork	9
OTD9860	Level IIB Fieldwork	9
OTD9910	Doctoral Capstone Project	3
OTD9920	Doctoral Capstone Experience	10
Total Credits		115.0

The Johnson & Wales University entry-level occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) degree program 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 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 in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.