Overview

The Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate prepares clinical occupational therapists for expanding roles in healthcare and education. The program helps clinicians develop leadership skills and increased understanding of evidence-based practice as it applies to the role of research in occupational therapy. The Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate provides advanced preparation of occupational therapists, aligning their academic credentials with other leaders in the healthcare field.

Curriculum

The curriculum contains a leadership core (9 credits), a research consumer core (9 credits), and a research producer core (6 credits). Additionally, students are required to complete a research-based capstone project geared toward advancing the profession of occupational therapy (8 credits). The program requires 32 credits for successful completion.

The curriculum is intended to give practicing therapists the knowledge to become leaders in the healthcare arena. Current reimbursement policies require clinicians to be able to understand, incorporate, and produce research that proves treatment efficacy. The post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate provides the knowledge and skills to not only lead, but to further the field of occupational therapy through research. 

Unique Characteristics

The curriculum design of the online post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program has a number of unique features dedicated towards facilitating student achievement. These characteristics are: small faculty/student ratio, commitment to orderly progression, commitment to timely completion, utilization of cohort learning, and recruitment of program mentors. Several unique features of D’Youville also contribute to the program, including: faculty preparation and quality, robust occupational therapy preparation programs, dedication to both online and interprofessional learning, and strong relationships with the healthcare community.

Courses for the Major Degree

Additional Requirements:
 

There will be an oral defense of the capstone proposal and a formal presentation of the results before a faculty/student symposium.

Regulations

In order to remain in good academic standing in the program, students must demonstrate the following:

1. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 throughout the duration of the program.
2. No more than 6 credits below a grade of "B".
3. No course grades of "D" or "F".

Failure to maintain good academic standing while in the program will result in academic probation (1st instance) and/or dismissal (2nd instance).

Admissions

Action on an application begins when the application, application fee, and the official transcripts have been received by the Graduate Admissions Office at the university.

In addition to completing the Application, candidates for the program must present the following:

1. Completion of a master’s degree, with a minimum of 40 graduate credit hours with grades of B or better.
2. Initial certification as an occupational therapist by NBCOT, State license to practice occupational therapy.
3. Minimum graduate grade point average of 3.00 (based on a 4.00 system).
4. Two letters of professional recommendation from graduate professors and/or employers/supervisors focusing on the candidate’s potential for success in a doctoral program.
5. A brief written statement (500-1000 words) of goals for pursuing doctoral study.
6. One writing sample, including examples from within your graduate program coursework, or an individual scholarly publication.

Applications for admission are considered on a competitive basis.

Transfer Policies

Students may transfer up to 6 doctoral credits with a grade of B or better at the discretion of the program director. Credits must be from an accredited institution in courses appropriate to the program.

Provisional Admission

Candidates who do not meet the above criteria, but who have a graduate grade point average of 3.00 and show promise, will be reviewed on an individual basis by the admissions committee and may be admitted provisionally. While having provisional status, the student must meet all academic requirements of the program and must receive grades of B or better in the first four courses of the program.