This course provides a foundation in functional anatomy and pathophysiology as they relate to occupational performance. Topics include principles of physics, biomechanics, musculoskeletal anatomy, review of body systems, and common pathologies that impact functional capacity. The course is designed as a preparatory course for the first semester OTD Anatomy and Kinesiology (OTD 703) and Pathophysiology (OTD 705) courses.
Prerequisites: Admission or provisional admission to the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
The history, philosophical base, and sociopolitical climate of the occupational therapy profession are examined with meeting the dynamic nature of contemporary health and human services delivery systems for persons, groups, and populations. Role of the entry-level doctor of occupational therapy as a direct care provider, consultant, educator, manager, leader, researcher, advocate for the profession, and consumer are examined. Intraprofessional and interprofessional collaboration for ethical and legal responsibilities are analyzed.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Application of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework is introduced. Theoretical approaches to occupational therapy treatment are defined. Activity analysis and graded activity are developed in lab experiences. Students explore approaches for working with persons, groups, and populations that align with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF).
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Research methods are introduced with skills developed in use of search engine databases, critical reasoning, logical thinking, argument analysis, quality of evidence and professional writing. Use of evidence-based practice in occupational therapy is emphasized. Students present scholarly reports as an evidence-based poster to other interprofessional and intraprofessional practitioners.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Principles of kinesiology are applied to the anatomical body functions and structures. Students develop skills in assessments and intervention strategies related to kinematics and kinetics.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Occupational therapy professional responsibilities for ethical and legal delivery of health and wellness services are examined. Cultural awareness and advocacy for clients in different contexts are explored. Students gain awareness of occupational therapy's role in health care system policies and sociopolitical climate to meet societal needs. Promotion of occupational therapy is developed through various learning activities.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Examination of pathological changes in the human body is analyzed through a systematic review. The role of occupation in the promotion of health and the prevention of disease and disability are developed for the individual, family, and society to assure quality of life. Identification of the occupational therapy practitioner's role in conjunction with other health care specialists and community agencies is defined.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Cultural competency and advocacy skills are developed in designing and conducting mission work for global outreach and for underserved populations. Students develop awareness of sociocultural, socioeconomic, and diversity factors that impede access to health services for persons, groups, and populations. Students apply therapeutic use of self and develop group dynamic skills. Communication skills and teaching-learning strategies are developed for working with patients, families, communities, and members of the interprofessional team.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Students develop therapeutic use of self and group dynamics for use in occupational therapy mental health practice. Selection of occupations and activities, preparatory methods and tasks, education, training, and advocacy are applied to persons, groups, and populations within mental health. Assessment and intervention strategies for clients with psychosocial, functional cognitive, and behavioral health deficits that interfere with occupational performance are examined. Students develop skills in documentation, communication, and client safety regulation awareness.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Adult assessment and intervention strategies are applied using evidence-based practice and theoretical frameworks. The person, environment and occupation centered practice for differential diagnosis and wellness frame health and wellness service delivery for adults. Clinical application of physical modalities is assessed in case studies. Ergonomics for home, work, and industry are defined. Students explore informatics related to electronic documentation and use of telehealth.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Quantitative research designs are analyzed and used to design a class quantitative research proposal. Students develop skills in selection, application, and interpretation of basic descriptive, correlational, and inferential quantitative statistics. Students learn about ethical research conduct and the importance of the institutional review board process.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Neuroscience examines the central, autonomic, and peripheral nervous system and how neurological conditions influence performance skills of motor and praxis, sensory-perceptual, emotional regulation, cognitive, communication, and social skills.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
The psychosocial fieldwork I may include one or more of the following experiences: directed virtual simulations, simulated environments, standardized patients, faculty practice, faculty-led site visits, and supervision by a fieldwork educator in a practice environment. Students apply classroom learning pertaining to psychosocial issues that limit engagement in occupation, including mental illness, cognitive impairments, intellectual impairments, and developmental delay. Students participate in client-centered experiences with professionals in these fields to develop professional behaviors, therapeutic use of self, and communication skills. Fieldwork seminar allows students time to process their experiences, synthesize content learned in the classroom with real-life interactions, and discuss occupational therapy's role in community and mental-health settings.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Leadership theories and management strategies are developed through analysis of program development and evaluation of outcomes, case management, business planning, management skills, grant writing, information systems, health and public policy, advocacy, political activism, professional networks and social change initiatives.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Students analyze human development throughout the lifespan. Developmental milestones of human growth and development are studied from birth to older adult. By understanding typical human development, students build a foundation for assessment and intervention of atypical development conditions along with the impact on occupational performance in the pediatric, adult, and older adult populations.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Qualitative research designs are analyzed and used to design a class qualitative study project. Students learn how to code, analyze, and synthesize qualitative data. Students learn about developing interview skills and focus group data collection. Mixed method studies are introduced.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Assessment and intervention strategies are developed in the context of environment and occupation using technology to enhance occupational performance at home, work, school, and the community. Technology for community mobility and driving is addressed as it relates to occupational participation. Assistive and adaptive technology, ergonomics, and use of universal design are utilized to meet individual and population needs.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Occupational performance of youth and children will be explored through experiential learning, classroom experiences, hands-on labs, and patient simulations. Students will develop an understanding of evaluation and intervention strategies for youth and children by applying evidenced-based practice and theoretical frameworks. Students will utilize person, environment, and occupation-centered practice for determining differential diagnosis and will investigate health and wellness service delivery for youth and children. Students will demonstrate competency in pediatric standardized assessments upon completion of the course.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Student groups design and implement a research study that meets the Institutional Review Board guidelines under the supervision of a faculty research mentor. Emphasis is on developing skills as a researcher and contributor to the profession in the area of science.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Students explore areas of professional interest in an area of specialization of their choosing under the guidance of the doctoral capstone coordinator. Students explore community agencies and professional network of experts that may contribute to the design and development of an individual, doctoral capstone project.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
The youth and children fieldwork I may include one or more of the following experiences: directed virtual simulations, simulated environments, standardized patients, faculty practice, faculty-led site visits, and supervision by a fieldwork educator in a practice environment. Students apply classroom learning pertaining to issues that limit engagement in occupation for youth and children. Students develop professional behaviors, communication skills, and abilities to assess developmental delays and develop plans of care to increase occupational participation. Fieldwork seminar allows students to explore assessment methods and client-centered interventions while synthesizing fieldwork experience with classroom content.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Students examine principles of instructional design and the teaching-learning process using educational methods and health literacy education. Learning theories are used to structure educational experiences for client, caregiver, and students. Students participate in health promotion by developing educational tools. The educator role as a fieldwork educator in clinical practice and future faculty responsibilities are explored.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Students develop consultant roles for traditional and non-traditional practice areas by conducting needs assessments and identifying occupational therapy strategies to address the needs of persons, groups, programs, organizations, or communities. Students identify, analyze, and evaluate contextual factors on the delivery of occupational therapy services in a service project, doctoral capstone exploration, or credential workshop.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Older adult assessment and intervention strategies are applied using evidence-based practice and theoretical frameworks. The person, environment, and occupation-centered practice for differential diagnosis and wellness frame health and wellness service delivery for older adults. Clinical application of physical modalities is assessed in case studies. Comorbidities, cognitive declines, degenerative processes, and end-of-life issues are evaluated and impact intervention strategies through the use of compensatory or technology support for productive aging.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Student groups collect quantitative and/or qualitative research data following institutional review board approved guidelines. Analysis of data is written as a scholarly report appropriate for presentation or for publication in a peer-reviewed journal that supports clinical practice.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
The student further refines the doctoral capstone project from OTD 733 with consultation with the doctoral capstone coordinator, faculty advisor, and expert mentor(s). The doctoral capstone project relates theory to practice and demonstrates synthesis of specialty knowledge in a practice area which may include clinical practice, research, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of OTD 733
The adult and older adult fieldwork I may include one or more of the following experiences: directed virtual simulations, simulated environments, standardized patients, faculty practice, faculty-led site visits, and supervision by a fieldwork educator in a practice environment. Students apply classroom learning pertaining to adult and older adult issues that limit engagement in occupation. Students participate in client-centered practice with a community-based, health care, or wellness practitioner to develop professional behaviors and communication skills, and to hone their skills in evaluation, development of plans of care, and interventions with clients with a variety of deficits and diagnoses. Fieldwork seminar allows students time to analyze and practice treatment strategies and process how to refine skills in service delivery as future occupational practitioners through detailed, hands-on simulation.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Students engage in various skills, attitudes, and knowledge testing scenarios to assess professional competencies in the areas of safe use of physical agent modalities, supervision of staff in job responsibilities, and NBCOT practice exams.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
Fieldwork II is a 12-week, full-time opportunity to carry out professional responsibilities under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapy practitioner serving as a role model. Students apply occupational therapy theory, research, assessments, treatment interventions, and evidence-based practice in the clinical or community setting. Students will demonstrate the skills of an entry-level generalist practitioner upon completion of the rotation.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all coursework and Fieldwork I
Fieldwork II is a 12-week, full-time opportunity to carry out professional responsibilities under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapy practitioner serving as a role model. Students apply occupational therapy theory, research, assessments, treatment interventions, and evidence-based practice in the clinical or community setting. Students will demonstrate the skills of an entry-level generalist practitioner upon completion of the rotation.
Equivalent to OTD 760A (3 credits) and OTD 760B (3 credits).
Prerequisite: Successful completion of OTD 750
The doctoral capstone experience is a 14-week, 560-hour experience that has written objectives and assessment measures approved by the faculty advisor and expert mentor(s) in an area of specialization of the student's choice. Literature review, needs assessment, goals/objectives, and an evaluation of the doctoral capstone experience are required. The student must successfully meet or exceed these objectives and assessment criteria.
Equivalent to OTD 770A (5 credits) and OTD 770B (4 credits).
Prerequisite: Successful completion of OTD 760
The executive function course is designed to transition the student to the professional level of accountability for personal and professional communication, budgeting, financing, interviewing skills, contract negotiations, and NBCOT exam preparation. Students will further refine their curriculum vitaes, and professional develop plans to prepare for post-graduation employment as an occupational therapist.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program
This is an elective course designed for the OTD student to gain additional knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for areas of specialization or remediation. Students may require additional specialty training for fieldwork preparatory or remediation skill development. Another application for independent study may include precertification, certifications or specialty areas for capstone or future career placement in advance practice. The course may be offered in small group format or individually as deemed appropriate by faculty and OTD Director.
Prerequisite: Consent