Doctor of Occupational Therapy - Program Details

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Program Design

Motivated by the mission of Roberts Wesleyan University, occupational justice, transformational growth, and innovative partnerships are woven throughout the OTD program. OTD students will develop competence and confidence in the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become spiritually mature occupational therapy practitioners that will meet the needs of all persons, groups, and populations.

To achieve this goal, the OTD graduate will:

  • Engage in inclusive, ethical practices grounded in faith, evidence-based practice, and foundational theory.
  • Demonstrate competency in skills, knowledge, and attitudes as a direct care provider and intra- and inter-professional team member in didactic, fieldwork, and interactive experiences.
  • Explore innovative and evidence-based service initiatives in entrepreneurship and emerging practice.
  • Experientially learn about professional practice and scholarship at local and national levels, including policy development and quality of life delivery systems.  
  • Learn how to be an ethical leader, lifelong learner, consultant, educator, and researcher.

Curriculum Sequence

100 Credits

Fieldwork I and II

Capstone

NBCOT Exam

FIRST YEAR

DOTD 7700 (4) Foundations of Occupational Therapy

Students will learn occupational therapy's history, philosophy, and paradigm, and the occupational science foundations that support occupational therapy service delivery. The influence of related ethical and socio-political factors on the profession will be discussed. Occupation-based models of OT practice will be compared and contrasted. Students will learn and integrate the OTPF4 areas of habits, routines, and contexts across the lifespan to analyze the role of the social determinants of health and apply this knowledge to holistically meet current and future health and occupation-based participation needs of all persons, groups, and populations. Students will explore the scope of OT practice, settings, and professional roles for service delivery across the lifespan.

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program

DOTD 7701 (5) Occupational Therapy Process and Practice

Students will develop skills in activity analysis to evaluate occupation-based participation as described in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process, 3rd Edition. Students’ therapeutic use of self, spirituality, and communication skills for effective interaction in professional teams and communities are applied to the promotion of health, wellbeing, and quality of life for all persons, groups, and populations. 

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program

DOTD 7702 (4) Research I: Appraisal & Proposal

Students will translate knowledge of foundational, evidence-based exploratory and analysis skills for conducting research. Students will identify a problem leading to potential research topics that transform health, well-being, and quality of life. Students will locate, select, analyze, and evaluate scholarly literature, including several quantitative and qualitative research methods to inform evidence-based decisions as occupational therapists. Students will learn to use critically appraised papers (CAP) to develop the critically appraised topic (CAT) format to communicate research results. Students will develop a group research project proposal relevant to the profession of occupational therapy that aims to transform health, well-being, and quality of life. Students will complete Human Subject Research training and complete the RWU IRB application for their research project with advisement from their faculty research advisor.

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program

DOTD 7704 (5) Anatomy and Kinesiology in OT

Biology, kinesiology, and biomechanics are explored and analyzed for recognition and identification of client factors related to compromised occupational performance.  Students develop assessment and intervention skills through cadaver exploration, kinesiology practice activities, and lecture to determine client factors influencing occupational performance. 

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program

DOTD 7709 (2) Community Program Development

Students will analyze the role of the social determinants of health that influence the ability of persons, groups, and populations to meet occupational participation needs.  Students will integrate the AOTA Code of Ethics, faith and occupational justice into OT practice.  Factors to be explored include epidemiological, sociocultural, socioeconomic, diversity, and lifestyle choices. Community level assessment skills are developed to facilitate access to resources through referrals toward transition of services.  

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program

DOTD 7711 (5) OT Assessment and Intervention in Adulthood

Students will develop a knowledge base to demonstrate competency of adult specific assessments and case study analysis with inter-professional collaboration. Students will demonstrate skills in upper extremity, work rehabilitation, and static splinting skills. Students will participate in knowledge translation in areas of normal developmental expectations in occupations and disease states, to develop skills and apply knowledge of evidence-based assessment, intervention, and documentation strategies for the adult clients in habilitation, rehabilitation, and population health to transform health, well-being, and quality of life. Interventions include the application of preparatory physical agent modalities, ergonomic principles, and assessments in various environments including virtually with telehealth. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of fall semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7712 (1) Research II: Implementation

Students will build on research knowledge and research method skills to expand literature review and solidify methods, and following IRB approval may begin recruitment and study implementation. The study will be within the scope of occupational therapy using ethical and methodologically sound practices. The course activities will directly support team research projects and promote the health, well-being, and quality of life for all persons, groups, and populations.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of fall semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7714 (4) Pathophysiology in OT

Students examine normal human development and pathological changes that can occur over the lifespan that impact occupational participation. Students engage in a systems approach to gain knowledge of the effect of client factors. The role of the occupational therapist in occupational needs identification for intervention planning is explored.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of fall semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7715 (1) Fieldwork I: Psychosocial Occupational Performance

Students will observe and engage in psychosocial practice to translate knowledge regarding psychosocial factors that limit engagement in occupation, well-being, and quality of life. Students begin with direct observation of service delivery, progressing to participation in client centered practice through therapeutic use of self and application of evidence-based reasoning with a health care or wellness practitioner to develop professional behaviors and communication skills. 

The fieldwork I seminar is a processing time to analyze professional behaviors, treatment strategies, and integrate and refine skills in service delivery as future occupational practitioners.

 Prerequisites: Successful completion of fall semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7716 (5) Psychosocial Assessment & Intervention in OT

Students will develop greater skills in the therapeutic use of self by including faith-based and occupational justice considerations in interventions for improved occupational performance and engagement with clients who have psychosocial issues and/or behavioral deficits. Students will explore environmental and contributing factors to psychosocial well-being and inclusive occupational participation.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of fall semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7710 (2) Health Care Delivery Systems

Students will develop effective team skills in communicating occupational needs with clients, families, communities, and inter-professional team members. Students collaborate with certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) students and professionals to holistically meet the needs of all persons, groups, and populations. Students will learn to interpret the health, well-being, and quality of life impact of reimbursement systems, funding mechanisms, and service delivery models in the context of state and federal systems. Students will integrate course content by exploring roles of occupational therapists in service delivery models. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of fall semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7722 (1) Research III: Interpretation

Students will integrate previously acquired skills from DOTD 7702 and DOTD 7712 by completing statistical analyses and generating a written method and research project outcomes papers.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of spring semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7733 (3) OT Educators

In this course, the student will develop teaching and learning skills that apply across OT practice areas. Students will learn how to disseminate knowledge with clients, family, caregivers, and the community to promote occupational participation. The academic role includes instructional design, grant proposal writing, and education regarding advocating for the OT profession to health care and community stakeholders.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of summer semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

SECOND YEAR

DOTD 7730 (3) Capstone I: Design

Students explore, in collaboration with a faculty mentor, areas of interest in clinical practice, research, administration, leadership, program design, policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development.  The student will network to connect with community agencies to identify societal needs of health, well-being, and quality of life related to the project and experience.  Students will also create a grant proposal which could fiscally support scholarly activities and program development related to the capstone area. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of summer semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7731 (5) OT Assessment and Intervention in Elderhood

Students will analyze theories of aging to gain understanding of older adult occupations for application of evidence-based assessments and interventions to promote inclusive occupational participation, productive aging, and well-being. Students will engage in analysis of ergonomic principles including application of technology and environmental adaptations.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of summer semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7732 (2) Research IV: Dissemination and Scholarly Report

This course is a culmination of the research thread, with the students creating a final scholarly report and poster presentation, which will be disseminated to the community and relevant stakeholders. Final deliverables will contribute to the evidence base of occupational therapy.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of summer semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7734 (4) Neuroscience & Neurorehab Applications in OT

Students explore neurologically related structures and functions of the human body throughout the human lifespan to determine impact on occupational participation.  The influence of neurological conditions on human occupational performance will be examined. Students will interpret and analyze developing theoretical perspectives in understanding the influences of neuroscience on behavior and performance.  

Prerequisites: Successful completion of summer semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7735 (2) Fieldwork I: Adult/Older Adult

The adult and older adult fieldwork I experience will engage the student in directed clinical or simulated observation and participation. Students apply classroom learning about psychosocial issues that limit engagement in occupation. Students begin with direct observation of service delivery, progressing to participation in client centered practice through the therapeutic use of self and application of evidence-based clinical reasoning with a health care or wellness practitioner to develop professional behaviors and communication skills. 

The fieldwork I seminar is a processing time to analyze professional behaviors, treatment strategies, and integrate and refine skills in service delivery as future occupational practitioners.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of summer semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7744 (2) Contextual Modifications for Occupational Performance

Students will explore and demonstrate knowledge and skill in assessment, intervention planning, and implementation of contextual modifications to support occupational performance across the lifespan. Students will assess the need for adaptation and develop psychomotor skills in the design & fabrication process, application, fit, and education for custom adaptive devices and prostheses for individual/caregiver use or modifications to multiple environments. Home evaluation of safety, universal design, and application of ergonomic principles (including computer workstations and in industry) will be explored considering client factors (physical, emotional, behavioral, psychological). Community mobility assessment and intervention will include driving, mobility aids, and durable medical equipment to support accessibility, reducing functional limitations, and supporting social participation. Team members who collaborate with OT practitioners to foster participation for all people across the lifespan will be discussed, including physical and speech therapy, prosthetists, vocational rehab specialists, assistive technology practitioners (ATP), driver rehabilitation specialists (DRS), ergonomists, vendors, architects/builders, and others.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of fall semester year 2 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7723 (4) OT Leaders, Managers & Entrepreneurs

This course includes an exploration of leader, manager, supervisor, consultant/contractor, and entrepreneurial roles and functions performed by occupational therapy practitioners. Students will learn about multiple nontraditional roles that OTs can take to serve the needs of persons, groups, and populations through panel discussions of various professionals, not limited to OT. Roles and responsibilities of OT personnel and intraprofessional partnerships will be explored and implemented in collaboration with an occupational therapy assistant academic program. Personnel management, and administrative tasks, including interviewing/selecting employees, developing, evaluating, and marketing programs, improving the quality of occupational therapy services, and promoting evidence-based practice, are emphasized. Students will discover an entrepreneurial mindset and develop a concept of developing a private practice and/or bringing a product to market by understanding needs assessment, investing consultation and identification & communication with stakeholders, business planning, and marketing.

Students will self-assess their readiness for entering the workforce, develop a resume, prepare for interviews, develop a professional development plan, and examine mentoring, licensing, and specialty micro-credentialing or certification opportunities as part of continuing education and life-long learning as a healthcare professional.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of spring semester year 1 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7740 (3) Capstone II: Program Proposal

Students continues to develop a Capstone project through synthesis and application of knowledge gained from the focus area exploration of OTD 730, theory, and prior program coursework. Upon completion, the student will present and defend an individual project that relates to the doctoral capstone experience and demonstrates synthesis of in-depth knowledge in the focused area of chosen study within clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory development. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of fall semester year 2 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7741 (5) OT Assessment and Intervention in Childhood

Students will examine and translate knowledge of evidence-based assessments, interventions, and theory in hospital, school, and community settings for children and youth having occupational deficits. Occupational profiles and OT assessments will be completed to determine client needs, client factors, performance patterns, and performance skills leading to design and provision of therapeutic use of play, self-care, and school-based interventions for the promotion of occupational participation and performance. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of fall semester year 2 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7743 (5) Competence in Evidence-Based OT Practice

Students will participate in interactive case simulations using skills, therapeutic use of self-including mature spirituality, and knowledge indicative of a competent entry-level occupational therapist. Assessment, treatment planning, interventions, and practice management domains over the lifespan are reviewed and practiced. Students will perform assessments, including those for cognition, balance, and sensory function, as well as intervention skills, including safe administration of preparatory physical agent modalities, transfers, and safe patient handling. Students will reinforce skills in supervision of OTAs, billing, documentation, and contractual obligations for ethical service delivery to persons, groups, and populations.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of fall semester year 2 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7745 (2) Fieldwork I: Child/Youth

Students will observe and engage in child and youth practice to translate knowledge regarding factors that limit engagement in occupation, well-being, and quality of life. Students begin with direct observation of service delivery, progressing to participation in client centered practice through the therapeutic use of self and application of evidence-based clinical reasoning with a health care or wellness practitioner to develop professional behaviors and communication skills.

The fieldwork I seminar is a processing time to analyze professional behaviors, treatment strategies, and integrate and refine skills in service delivery as future occupational practitioners.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of fall semester year 2 course work of OTD Program

DOTD 7750 (7) Fieldwork Level IIA

OTD 7750 is the first Fieldwork II 12-week experience to fulfill the required 24 weeks full-time minimum. All Fieldwork hours may be completed in one setting if it is reflective of more than one practice area. Each student can participate in up to four different settings (C.1.11.). Full-time application of skills and knowledge translation are to provide service delivery under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapy practitioner serving as a role model. Students analyze and apply occupational therapy theory, research, assessments, treatment interventions, and evidence-based practice in the clinical or community setting for health, well-being, and quality of life of persons, groups, and populations.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of all course work and Fieldwork I.

THIRD YEAR (15 credits)

DOTD 7760 (7) Fieldwork Level IIB

OTD 7760 is the second Fieldwork II 12-week experience to fulfill the required 24 weeks full-time minimum. All Fieldwork hours may be completed in one setting if it is reflective of more than one practice area. Each student can participate in up to four different settings (C.1.11.). Full-time application of skills and knowledge translation are to provide service delivery under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapy practitioner serving as a role model. Students analyze and apply occupational therapy theory, research, assessments, treatment interventions, and evidence-based practice in the clinical or community setting for health, well-being, and quality of life of persons, groups, and populations.   Students must complete the OTD 760 Fieldwork II experience in a different practice area(s) from OTD 750.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of OTD 7750 Fieldwork II

DOTD 7770 (8) Capstone III: Experience

Capstone experience includes a 14 week, 560-hour experiential component in which the student demonstrates meeting or exceeding written objectives that reflect the implementation of the capstone project in an area of in-depth focus.  The resultant cumulative deliverable will support the needs of occupational participation of all persons, groups, and populations in alignment with the program mission and be disseminated.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of all OTD course work, Fieldwork I and II.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork experiences begin in the first year and are integrated into the curriculum to allow you to connect theory with practice. Fieldwork is designed to give you experience in delivering occupational therapy services to clients, focusing on purposeful and meaningful occupation. 

Fieldwork is completed in a variety of clinical and practice settings, providing exposure to different clients and settings.  With over 300 sites in 31 states, settings include, but are not limited to, acute-inpatient, subacute/rehab, long-term residential, community, outpatient, home care, and schools. 

FallSpringSummer
Year 1No FieldworkLevel I Fieldwork (Psychosocial)No Fieldwork
Year 2Level I Fieldwork (Adult/ Older Adult)Level I Fieldwork (Child/ Youth)Level II Fieldwork (full-time)
Year 3Level II Fieldwork (full-time)No Fieldwork

Level I FieldworkLevel II Fieldwork
  • Introduction to the fieldwork experience, applying knowledge to practice and developing an understanding of the needs of clients 
  • Occurs during the semester in which coursework complements the fieldwork experience and populations. 
  • Student will engage in three Level I Fieldwork experiences.
  • Develops competent, entry-level, generalist occupational therapist. 
  • Occurs after the successful completion of all core required coursework. 
  • Student will take responsibility for the delivery of occupational therapy services to clients.  
  • Engage in two 12-week, full-time Level II Fieldwork experiences.

See what our fieldwork educators are saying about our students!

“She is an excellent student! She shows enthusiasm and initiative for her learning, which is what we really like to see in these early stages.  She is eager for feedback.”

“Our Roberts student is doing great. No complaints at all. She is a pleasure to have as a student.”

“It is my absolute pleasure to accept this Roberts student. He has already gone above and beyond.”

“He has a good knowledge base and is definitely a natural when working with children.”

“Our student has been very knowledgeable throughout this experience and overall, is a well-rounded, future OT! The profession is lucky to have her. “

“Our Roberts student was an awesome addition to our developmental group! She had no hesitations jumping in and getting to know the kids. She was definitely in her element, it was wonderful to see. Sometimes we get students who are a little hesitant and wondering what they just walked into (it’s a classroom full of severely delayed 2-year olds). She asked appropriate questions and was knowledgeable about all the background info I would have expected her to come in with. She will have the best time at her level 2 placement!”

“Our Roberts student has been an amazing asset to the team. I have been so impressed with his willingness and self-direction to build rapport with our members here. He has jumped right into conversations and activities within the day program. We are looking forward to the rest of his placement! “

“I would like to add that we are very pleased with our Roberts student placement with us. He truly excelled as a bright professional. He shared wonderful knowledge with our members about OT services and his education. To share two comments our members stated to me about him was that he is very welcoming and easy to talk to and that he treats our members like they are adults and doesn't treat them like kids or like they are less. This really warmed my heart to hear, and I know that he made a significant and lasting impact on our agency. I trust that he is going to have a positive impact on many throughout his professional career. Again, thank you for allowing your student to complete his placement with us. We are looking forward to working with more of your students.”

“Our OTD student was such a pleasure, personally and professionally. We truly wished we had more time with her. Not only did she exemplify immaculate work ethic and advanced knowledge in regards to her program and fieldwork detail, she acclimated beautifully here as if she’s always been a part of the team.”

Capstone

The Doctoral Capstone occurs in two parts: the project and the experience.
The project provides an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills from coursework and fieldwork to a project that relates to the capstone experience.
The capstone experience is 14-weeks, full-time and occurs following all coursework and fieldwork completion.
The Doctoral Capstone is designed to provide in-depth exposure to one or more of the following:

  • Clinical practice skills
  • Research skills
  • Administration
  • Leadership
  • Program and policy development
  • Advocacy
  • Education
  • Theory development

Capstone Examples:

  • Designing an evidence-based curriculum for educating caregivers of a particular population
  • Identification and investigation of a problem/concern related to practice, culminating in a plan of action or remedial strategy
  • Developing and implementing a comprehensive occupational therapy program for a particular population
  • Investigating the changing role of occupational therapy in the care and treatment of hearing loss, brain injury, and pain.
  • Studying outcomes of a particular occupational therapy intervention with a person, group, or population
  • Investigating/exploring the role of occupational therapy in a new area of emerging practice: Concussion Management and Education with Athletes in the School System, Social Skills Training for Youth on the Autism Spectrum, Occupation-based Eating Disorder Recovery

Graduation Requirements

Students must achieve a 3.0 GPA (B), reflecting successful completion of all coursework to graduate from the OTD program. Students must complete all Level II Fieldwork and capstone requirements of the OTD Program within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.

NBCOT Certification

The National Board For Certification In Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT) is a national not-for-profit organization that provides certification for occupational therapy professionals.  NBCOT develops, administers, and continually reviews its certification process based on current and valid standards that provide reliable indicators of competence of occupational therapy practice. The National Certification Examination for the occupational therapist is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®). More information on the certification examination can be found at https://www.nbcot.org/.

After successful completion of this exam, the graduate 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.