Program Overview

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program at Whitworth University provides innovative, creative, holistic, and interprofessional mind-and-heart education to develop and empower ethically competent and transformational leaders in occupational therapy and healthcare.

Program Overview

The program is guided by the university mission and prepares practice scholars who use the best scientific evidence to be catalysts for change, advocates for occupational justice, and servants of humanity. Students gain real-world preparation through fieldwork experiences and a doctoral capstone project that connects academic learning with clinical and community practice.

Benefits of the Program

The program offers several benefits, including:

• Hands-on occupational therapy courses integrated with other health and human service graduate classes
• State-of-the-art facilities, including an activities-of-daily-living lab, motion analysis research lab, exercise physiology labs, anatomy labs, simulation labs, and a practice clinic
• Clinical placements in diverse settings, such as traditional hospitals, school systems, community centers, and skilled nursing centers
• Experienced faculty who are passionate about the profession and provide individual support for each student

Career Options

Graduates of the program will be prepared to engage in interprofessional health science education, research, and service, particularly to underserved populations. As an occupational therapist, they will play a significant role in treating people with various illnesses and disabilities and helping to decrease the length of hospitalization.

Accreditation Status

The Whitworth University entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Admission Requirements

The program uses a holistic admission process that considers students' background knowledge, attitude, and professionalism. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, completion of prerequisite courses, and an overall grade-point average indicating successful academic performance.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite coursework includes:

• One semester credit in medical terminology
• Three semester credits in each of the following: introductory biology, physics, kinesiology or biomechanics, introductory psychology, developmental psychology, psychopathology or abnormal psychology, introduction to sociology or cultural anthropology, and statistics
• Eight semester credits in anatomy and physiology (with lab)
• Nine semester credits from the following: performing arts, humanities, wellness, or other approved courses

Tuition and Expenses

The total anticipated cost for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy is $133,555, which includes tuition and fees. Scholarships and financial aid are available.

Curriculum and Course Schedule

The program is a 33-month, full-time curriculum design that includes 112 graduate credit hours, with approximately 75% of time spent in classroom, lab, and simulated patient experiences, and 25% in clinical fieldwork experiences. The curriculum includes courses in foundational sciences, occupational performance, professional development, and a capstone project.

Outcomes and Demographics

The program tracks outcomes, including graduation rates, NBCOT exam pass rates, and employment rates. The program also collects demographic data on its students, including age, gender, and ethnicity.

Faculty and Staff

The program has experienced faculty who are passionate about the profession and provide individual support for each student. The faculty come from a variety of clinical backgrounds and experiences.

Dual Degree Option

The program offers a dual degree option, which allows students to complete both a bachelor's degree and a doctoral degree in as few as six years.

Fieldwork Education

The program includes fieldwork education, which provides students with hands-on experience in clinical settings. The fieldwork experiences are designed to provide students with a breadth of practical experience in a variety of practice settings and with a variety of populations.

Doctoral Capstone

The program includes a doctoral capstone experience, which provides students with an in-depth learning experience in one or more of the following areas: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development.