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Post-professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy

• Admission
• Dr.O.T. Curriculum

This program will be available to only master's prepared occupational therapists.

Occupational therapists admitted to the program are required to complete 36 credits of doctoral level coursework. Coursework is linked to professional practice with the intent to develop applied skills in the areas of policy, advocacy, leadership, and education. Specifically, students will develop knowledge and skills directed toward enhancing leadership and advocacy, participating in public policy activities, dealing with social determinants of health, providing evidence-based interventions, and educating new therapists. Additionally, a culminating Capstone portfolio grounded in theory and evidence will be required. The program will serve only master's degree credentialed students and qualifies graduates to hold advanced administrative positions, produce scholarly work including manuscripts, programs, and presentation, and to teach at the college and university level.

Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle St, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604.
Phone: (800) 621-7440.

Admission

The following is required for admission to the doctorate in occupational therapy program:

• A minimum of two years of practice as a registered occupational therapist
• Cumulative GPA for last 60 credit hours of 3.25
• Critical evaluation of an occupational therapy article selected by the OST Department faculty
• Identification of specific, individual goals and timelines for seeking the Dr.O.T. degree, within a personal statement
• Personal interview with two members of the OST Department faculty
• Three letters of support from professional colleagues, supervisors, or department heads

Note: Students are encouraged to maintain a minimum of part-time employment throughout their matriculation in the doctoral program. Exceptions to this requirement will be addressed by a faculty committee on a case-by-case basis.

Dr.O.T. Curriculum

Core Courses

The following courses are required of all Dr.O.T. students.

Policy, Advocacy, and Leadership Courses

• OST 710 - Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health (3 credits)
• OST 725 - Leadership for Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
• OST 735 - Public Policy and Advocacy (3 credits)

Advanced Practice Courses

• OST 715 - Critical Analysis of Occupational Science (3 credits)
• OST 720 - Cultural and Contextual Influences on Occupational Performance (3 credits)

Education Courses

• OST 750 - Critical Thinking and Transformative Learning (3 credits)
• OST 754 - Curriculum Design in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)

Doctoral Project

• OST 730 - Applied Research Strategies for Practice (3 credits)
• OST 790 - Doctoral Project Preparation (3 credits)
• OST 793 - Doctoral Project Defense (1 to 6 credits)

Additional Credits

All Dr.O.T. students will complete one of the following courses:

• OST 780 - Special Topics in Occupational Therapy (1 to 3 credits)
• OST 799 - Independent Study in Occupational Therapy (1 to 3 credits)

Potential Elective Courses Within the OST Department

Notes:

• All electives in the OST department will be offered as three-credit courses
• Electives from outside the program will be approved by the Dr.O.T. program coordinator
• Students may consider courses from: education, public health, assistive technology certificate program, or other master's-level courses offered at GVSU

Course Sequence

Semester One

• OST 715 - Critical Analysis of Occupational Science (3 credits)
• OST 750 - Critical Thinking and Transformative Learning (3 credits)

Semester Two

• OST 720 - Cultural and Contextual Influences on Occupational Performance (3 credits)
• OST 725 - Leadership for Occupational Therapy (3 credits)

Semester Three

• OST 710 - Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health (3 credits)
• OST 730 - Applied Research Strategies for Practice (3 credits)

Semester Four

• OST 735 - Public Policy and Advocacy (3 credits)
• *OST 790 - Doctoral Project Preparation (3 credits)

Semester Five

• OST 780 - Special Topics in Occupational Therapy (1 to 3 credits) OR OST 799 - Independent Study in Occupational Therapy (1 to 3 credits), OR elective
• *OST 793 - Doctoral Project Defense (1 to 6 credits)

Semester Six

• OST 754 - Curriculum Design in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
• *OST 793 - Doctoral Project Defense (1 to 6 credits)

* Designates a hybrid course