Occupational Therapy Doctorate with a Concentration in Post-Professional (O.T.D.)
General Information
The Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy offers the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program. There are two admission concentrations to the OTD program: Professional Concentration and Post-Professional Concentration. The Professional Concentration is intended for students who do not currently hold a baccalaureate degree or post-baccalaureate certificate in occupational therapy, and who have completed the EKU Bachelor of Science in Occupational Science degree program. The Post- Professional Concentration is for students who currently hold an entry-level degree or certificate in occupational therapy from an accredited occupational therapy program. The Post-Professional concentration does not accept occupational therapy assistants.
Graduates of the Post-professional Concentration will:
- Engage in occupation-based practice as a method of change to positively impact the future of the profession and the quality of occupational therapy services.
- Ethically and responsibly advance the needs of client populations by addressing issues related to health disparity, policy and legislation through leadership and advocacy.
- Demonstrate effective communication to serve as leaders and catalysts of change at local, state, and national levels using tools such as program development, research, client education, and evidence based practice.
- Design projects demonstrating advanced critical thinking and reasoning skills to provide leadership in ethical occupational therapy practice.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the general admission requirements of the Graduate School. Additional requirements established by the program are as follows:
- A degree (post-baccalaureate certificate, baccalaureate or masters) from an entry level occupational therapist program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). International applicants must have met all requirements for practice in their own country and graduated from an accredited or World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) approved occupational therapy program.
- Initial certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). International applicants must provide documentation that they are eligible to practice as an occupational therapist in their home country.
- A graduate research methods course.
- Three letters of recommendation (waived for students who graduated from EKU)
- A one-to-two page statement of professional goals.
- A resume and/or professional portfolio.
- Transcripts of undergraduate and graduate coursework.
- An online graduate application.
- Those applicants meeting the above criteria may be required to complete an admission interview with the faculty of the doctoral program prior to final selection.
Specific Criteria
Applicants should apply by August 5 for fall term; December 5 for Spring term; or May 5 for Summer term.
Progression Requirements
Students need to obtain a grade of a B or higher in all courses in order to progress in the program.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 51.2306
All classes meet online. Students who require a graduate research methods course for admission to the program may take OTS 884 Qualitative Inquiry Approaches, OTS 895 OT Research Project I, or OTS 896 Research Project II, or other comparable graduate research course.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| OTS 853 | Leadership in Human Services | 3 |
| OTS 882 | Advanced Occupational Science | 3 |
| OTS 886 | Culture and Diversity in OT | 3 |
| OTS 910 | Policy and Advocacy for OT | 3 |
| OTS 911 | Applied Research for OT | 3 |
| OTS 912 | Evidence-based Practice for OT | 3 |
| OTS 913 | Educational Practices for OT | 3 |
| Concentrations | ||
| Students must select one of the following Concentrations: | ||
Professional | ||
| Post-Professional | 16-21 | |
| Total Hours | 37-42 | |
Concentration
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| Leadership | ||
| OTS 901 | OTD Leadership Seminar I | 3 |
| OTS 902 | OTD Leadership Seminar II | 3 |
| OTS 905 | Applied Leadership Experience | 3-6 |
| Capstone Courses | ||
| OTS 903 | Capstone I: Project Developmnt | 3 |
| OTS 904 | Capstone II: Implmt and Eval | 3 |
| OTS 906 | OTD Capstone | 1-3 |
| Total Hours | 16-21 | |
Exit Requirements
Students in the Post-Professional Concentration are required to:
- Satisfactorily complete and present a capstone project.
- Satisfactorily complete and present a professional portfolio.