Academics

OTD 601: Introduction to Capstone (1 Semester Credits)

This course introduces students to the Doctoral Capstone. Through a series of guided assignments, students will investigate specific professional topics of interest while also identifying personal and professional strengths that can be leveraged during the doctoral capstone. Students will use available resources to determine an area of focus of the doctoral experience.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 1.1 courses

OTD 608 Analysis of Occupational Performance (2 semester credits)

This course applies knowledge of human anatomy to the analysis of human posture, movement, and occupational performance. Emphasis is placed on activity analysis and the relationship between movement, function, dysfunction, and participation in meaningful occupations. Students develop foundational skills in evaluating factors that support or limit occupational performance.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 1.1 courses

OTD 612 Evaluation and Assessment of Physical Conditions (3 semester credits)

This course introduces students to the evaluation and assessment of physical conditions. Learners will administer and interpret standardized assessments, apply psychometric principles, and reinforce understanding of performance skills, client factors, performance patterns, and contextual influences. Emphasis is also placed on accurate score interpretation and foundational documentation practices essential to effective occupational therapy evaluation.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 1.1 courses

OTD 610 Neurological Foundations (2 semester credits)

This course examines foundational knowledge of neuroanatomy including structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems in relation to occupational performance. Contemporary concepts of brain function that support occupation are explored with emphasis on sensory, perception, motor, and cognitive processes. Lab activities emphasize elements of the neurologic examination with an introduction to commonly employed measures and tools for assessment.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 1.1 courses

OTD 640 Theoretical Perspectives and Healthcare Policy in Occupational Therapy (2 semester credits)

This course examines the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework to achieve health, wellbeing, and participation in life. Students will analyze occupational therapy theories, models of practice, and frames of references used in the evaluation and treatment of clients. Basic principles of healthcare systems, policies, and sociopolitical climate impacting occupational therapy services for person, groups, populations, and organizations are discussed. Students gain knowledge of state and federal systems, regulatory bodies, policies, and payer sources that influence occupational therapy service delivery. The occupational therapy continuum of care will be analyzed in relation to case management and referral processes to advance occupation-based services for individuals, groups, populations, and organizations.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 1.1 courses

OTD 614 Evaluation & Assessment of Mental Health and Neurological Conditions (2 Semester Credits)

This course introduces students to the evaluation and assessment of mental health and neurological conditions. Learners will administer and interpret standardized assessments, apply psychometric principles, and reinforce understanding of performance skills, client factors, performance patterns, and contextual influences. Emphasis is also placed on accurate score interpretation and foundational documentation practices essential to effective occupational therapy evaluation.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 1 courses

OTD 621 Enhancing Physical Performance in Adulthood (4 Semester Credits)

This course emphasizes evaluation and intervention for adults with physical impairments to promote occupational performance. Students will develop foundational knowledge of physical rehabilitation screening, evaluation, and occupation-based intervention planning. Students examine evaluation and intervention approaches including restorative, adaptive, and compensatory strategies for the adult population to maximize occupational performance in clients’ daily lives.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 1 courses

OTD 670 Fieldwork Level IA Experiential Lab: Enhancing Physical Performance in Adulthood (1 Semester Credit)

This course emphasizes the development of clinical reasoning, therapeutic use of self, and the occupational therapy process, focusing on the socialization of professional behavior and attitudes. Simulation and faculty-led experiences promote an organized approach to implementation of the occupational therapy process, including evaluation, intervention, and targeting of outcomes. This course includes service delivery models within the adult population.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 1 courses

OTD 651 Engaging Scholarly Practice (3 Semester Credits)

This course is the second in the research series, where students begin looking more closely at the research process, learning how to analyze and assess research studies and study proposals including quantitative and qualitative methodologies and data analysis approaches as well as examining ethical practice in human subject research. At the end of this course students will be familiar with the parts of a research proposal and be prepared to write an effective proposal as they progress towards becoming original research scholars.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 1 courses

OTD 616 Evaluation & Assessment of Pediatric Conditions (2 Semester Credits)

This course introduces students to the evaluation and assessment of pediatric conditions. Learners will administer and interpret standardized assessments, apply psychometric principles, and reinforce understanding of performance skills, client factors, performance patterns, and contextual influences. Emphasis is also placed on accurate score interpretation and foundational documentation practices essential to effective occupational therapy evaluation.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 2.1 courses

OTD 622 Enhancing Neurological and Cognitive Performance in Adulthood (3 Semester Credits)

This course examines occupation-based and evidence-based approaches to the care of clients with neurological injuries and conditions. Students develop an understanding of evaluation and treatment methods for clients with various neurological diagnoses to promote occupational performance. Neurological diagnoses include, but are not limited to, cerebral vascular accidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and degenerative diseases. Emphasis will focus on the impact of cognitive, motor, visual-perceptual, and sensory dysfunction has on occupational performance and intervention techniques to promote engagement in occupations.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 2.1 courses

OTD 625 Enhancing Mental Health and Community Wellness (4 Semester Credits)

This course examines the historical and current models of occupational therapy practice to promote psychosocial health and wellbeing in the community. Students will develop treatment methods for clients with psychosocial dysfunction that include occupation-based interventions for individuals, groups, and populations. Students will explore the relationship between psychosocial and physical health and its application to various occupational therapy practice settings.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 2.1 courses

OTD 672 Fieldwork 1B Experiential Lab: Enhancing Mental Health and Community Wellness (1 Semester Credit)

This course emphasizes the development of clinical reasoning, therapeutic use of self, and the occupational therapy process, focusing on the socialization of professional behavior and attitudes. Simulation and faculty-led experiences promote an organized approach to implementation of the occupational therapy process, including evaluation, intervention, and targeting of outcomes. This course includes service delivery models within mental health settings.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 2.1 courses

OTD 626: Enhancing Performance in Children and Youth (4 Semester Credit Hours)

This course highlights Occupational Therapy theory and the rationale of evaluation and intervention for physical, developmental, sensory integrative, perceptual, cognitive, and psychosocial function and dysfunction as it applies to children and youth and their families. This course builds upon foundational human development to focus on clients from birth through the transition from school age to adulthood. Topics include multicultural, cultural, socioeconomic, and ethical factors for the wellbeing of children and youth and their families.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 2 courses

OTD 674: Fieldwork Seminar IC Experiential Lab: Enhancing Performance in Children and Youth (1 Semester Credit Hour)

This course emphasizes the development of clinical reasoning, therapeutic use of self, and the occupational therapy process, focusing on the socialization of professional behavior and attitudes. Simulation and faculty-led experiences promote an organized approach to implementation of the occupational therapy process, including evaluation, intervention, and targeting of outcomes. Service delivery models for children, youth, and their families will be explored.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 2 courses

OTD 652: Scholarship in Action (3 Semester Credit Hour)

The third and final course in the research series builds upon foundational knowledge of the research process to critically design a research proposal on methodology, research design, and data analysis. Topics include designing a research proposal and IRB application, ethical conduct of research, choosing appropriate methodology, and quantitative and qualitative analysis of results. Students will additionally be exposed to the process of reporting and disseminating research to support skills of clinical practice.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 2 courses

OTD 632: Technology in Occupational Therapy (2 Semester Credit Hour)

This course examines the use of technological interventions, assistive technology, advanced technology, and universal design to facilitate occupational performance. Students develop clinical reasoning skills to assess need for technology, adapt or construct technology, and/or seek out referral sources and funding for technology that aids in clients’ daily lives. Technological interventions covered in this course will support activities of daily living, mobility, communication, social interactions, and executive functions, among others.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 2 courses

OTD 642: Application of the Occupational Therapy Process (3 Semester Credit Hours)

This course integrates knowledge of the previous coursework to advance professional reasoning and ethical decision making. Students synthesize knowledge of the Occupational Therapy Domain and Process including evaluation and intervention from various practice settings, theory and frames of reference, ethical decision making, and leadership skills to advance professional reasoning skills and evidence-based practice.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 3.1 courses

OTD 668: Being, Belonging, and Becoming an OT Practitioner (1 Semester Credit Hour)

This course examines competency skills required for occupational therapists at state and national levels. Students will explore requirements for state licensure, National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy™ (NBCOT), and other competency-based requirements in the occupational therapy profession. The course includes preparation for the NBCOT board exam and future employment as an occupational therapist.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 3.1 courses

OTD 662: Designing OT Programs for Groups and Populations (3 Semester Credit Hours)

This course focuses on the development and management of occupational therapy programs and services for groups and populations across a variety of practice and community settings. Content includes needs assessment, program planning and evaluation, health and wellness promotion, business and management principles, budgeting, marketing, grant funding, and program sustainability. Students will also examine principles of staff supervision, leadership, and program evaluation to support effective service delivery and organizational outcomes. Emphasis is placed on designing evidence-based, occupation-centered programs that address the needs of diverse populations and promote participation and well-being.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 3.1 courses

OTD 654: Preparing for the Capstone (2 Semester Credit Hours)

This course prepares students for the doctoral capstone by strengthening foundational skills in project development, scholarship and research, and professional inquiry. Students will practice conducting a needs assessment, continue exploring potential capstone topics and outcomes, and examine grant funding opportunities to support project implementation. Emphasis is placed on preparing students as practice scholars with a well-developed foundation for designing, proposing, and implementing a meaningful doctoral capstone project.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 3.1 courses

OTD 676: Level IIA Fieldwork (12 Semester Credit Hours)

This twelve-week fieldwork experience aims to integrate coursework into clinical practice to ensure students demonstrate functional development of entry-level practice skills. Students will employ professional thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze and apply acquired knowledge to effect change in occupational performance and modify targeted outcomes with their clients.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 3 courses

OTD 680: Doctoral Mentorship I (3 Semester Credit Hours)

This is the first of two doctoral mentorship courses designed to assist the student in developing a scholarly Doctoral Capstone Experience and Project. The Doctoral Capstone Experience and Project development is facilitated by utilizing a needs assessment of a topic, a thorough literature review, development, and confirmation of learning objectives unique to the project, plan for supervision, and confirming sites for the Doctoral Capstone Experience.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 3 courses

OTD 678: Level IIB Fieldwork (12 Semester Credit Hours)

This twelve-week fieldwork experience aims to integrate coursework into clinical practice to ensure students demonstrate functional development of entry-level practice skills. Students will employ professional thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze and apply acquired knowledge to effect change in occupational performance and modify targeted outcomes with their clients.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 4 courses

 OTD 682: Doctoral Mentorship II (3 Semester Credit Hours)

This is the second of two doctoral mentorship courses designed to assist the student in developing a Doctoral Capstone Experience and scholarly Doctoral Capstone Project. The focus of this course is on the methods and procedures unique to the capstone project as well as finalizing the Doctoral Capstone Experience plan. This is facilitated using a proposal for implementation and evaluation using a collaborative and reflective effort on occupational therapy practice and research issues.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 4 courses

OTD 684: Doctoral Capstone Experience (14 Semester Credit Hours)

This course is designed to facilitate an in-depth Doctoral Capstone Experience in one area such as legislation and policy, clinical practice, advocacy, research, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and/or theory development. The emphasis will be on the synthesis of all course material and professional knowledge mentored by a subject matter expert in the student’s selected area. This experiential placement is consistent with the interest of the student, under the guidance of an external mentor and/or faculty advisor. The experience creates and enhances the student’s professional skills and abilities, allowing them to acquire advanced knowledge in the chosen area in preparation for graduation as Doctor of Occupational Therapy.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 5 courses

OTD 686: Doctoral Capstone Project (3 Semester Credit Hours)

This course is designed to assist the student in implementing a scholarly Doctoral Capstone Project and disseminating results. The focus of this course is on data collection, data analysis, and/or program evaluation, development of a scholarly presentation or project, and preparation for dissemination. The culmination of this course is the dissemination of the project results.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Semester 5 courses

Total Credit Hours: 106