Program Overview

Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Shenandoah University’s 107-credit three-year Doctor of Occupational Therapy is delivered in a flexible, hybrid format, with over 50% of the content delivered online.

Overview

Occupational therapy is a form of therapy for those recuperating from physical or mental illness that encourages rehabilitation through the performance of activities required in daily life. Shenandoah University’s Division of Occupational Therapy (SUDOT) program prepares you to become a skilled and compassionate occupational therapist, serving a diverse range of patient populations in a variety of health care and community-based settings.

Program Structure

The program is designed to meet for face-to-face class once a week (Tuesdays) at the Health Professions Building in Winchester, Virginia. The Health Professions Building is located within the campus of Valley Health. This is a hybrid program with over 50% of the content delivered online. Students complete application of online learning content with experiences in the classroom setting working with faculty and community partners.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (in any field) from a regionally accredited institution prior to matriculation.
• A grade of “C” or above is required for all prerequisite courses.
• Three letters of recommendation from current/recent academic and/or professional contacts.
• Observation hours: In order to obtain an understanding of Occupational Therapy, we recommend shadowing a licensed OT, preferably in multiple settings.
• Personal Essay: Please write an essay explaining your motivation for choosing a career in Occupational Therapy.

Prerequisites

• 3 credits: General or Introductory Psychology (waived for psychology major/minor applicants)
• 3 credits: Abnormal Psychology
• 3 credits: Statistics Course (content must include descriptive and inferential statistics)
• 6 credits (minimum): Two sequential courses in Human Anatomy & Physiology.
• 6 credits Social Science (two 3-credit hour courses)
• 3 credits (minimum): Life Span Human Development from infancy to the elderly
• 1 credit: Medical Terminology course
• No more than 9 outstanding credits of prerequisite course work permitted at time of application.

Program Accreditation

The 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).

Capstone Projects

The Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) provides students with an in-depth experience that culminates in a high-quality scholarly project. Students decide on an area of focus during the introduction to the DCE course. This area may include clinical practice, administration, advocacy, leadership, theory, research, program development, community practice or education/teaching.

International Opportunities

Shenandoah University and the OT programs pride ourselves on our international opportunities for experiential learning. We regularly engage in interprofessional and intraprofessional abroad trips to places such as Spain, Ecuador, and Morocco for course credit.

Curriculum

Semester 1 (Summer): Foundational OTD

• OT 700 Foundations of Occupational Therapy
• OT 701 Experiential Learning and Professionalism
• OT 702 OT Framework and Task Analysis
• OT 704 Functional Anatomy and Movement
• OT 705 Research: Introduction

Semester 2 (Fall)

• OT 710 Group Dynamics
• OT 711 Level I Experience: Group Dynamics
• OT 712 Communication and Documentation
• OT 714 Occupation & Health: Participation
• OT 715 Research: Quantitative
• OT 718 Occupational Performance: Neurological
• OT 801 Level 1 Experience: Specialization

Semester 3 (Spring)

• OT 720 Devices, Technology, Accessibility
• OT 721 Level I Experience: Community
• OT 723 Theoretical Perspectives
• OT 725 Research: Qualitative
• OT 732 Occupation & Health: Service Delivery and Systems
• OT 734 Occupation & Health: Population
• OT 735 Research Project: Introduction

Semester 4 (Summer II)

• OT 740 Assessments
• OT 741 Level I Experience: Assessments
• OT 744 Traditional and Emerging Practice Areas
• OT 745 Research Project: Design
• OT 746 Doctoral Capstone: Introduction

Semester 5 (Fall II)

• OT 805 Research Project: Implementation
• OT 810 Occupational Performance: Mental Health
• OT 811 Level I Experience: Mental Health
• OT 817 Leadership and Management
• OT 818 Teaching and Learning
• OT 820 Occupational Performance: Pediatrics
• OT 821 Level I Experience: Pediatrics

Semester 6 (Spring II)

• OT 825 Research Project: Completion
• OT 830 Occupational Performance: Adults
• OT 831 Level I Experience: Adults
• OT 836 Professional and Scholarly Practice
• OT 837 Occupation & Health: Policy & Advocacy
• OT 847 Doctoral Capstone: Design

Semester 7 (Summer III)

• OT 851 Level II Fieldwork A

Semester 8 (Fall III)

• OT 852 Level II Fieldwork B

Semester 9 (Spring III)

• OT 858 Doctoral Capstone: Experience
• OT 859 Doctoral Capstone: Dissemination

Fieldwork Education

The OTD program has Level I fieldwork experiences built into many courses, as well as a Specialization Level I Fieldwork for an emerging or specialized practice area. Students will also complete two 12-week Level 2 Fieldwork placements, one in an adult setting and one in a pediatric setting.

Graduation Rates & Cost of Attendance

Shenandoah University’s Entry-Level Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program was started in 2020. The first class graduated in May 2023.

Career and Salary Possibilities

• Occupational Therapy Rankings
• Occupational Therapy Salary Projections
• Career Opportunities

Meet the Faculty

The faculty in the Shenandoah University Occupational Therapy program are experienced and skilled experts in a variety of areas of occupational therapy practice including pediatric and adult physical dysfunction, mental health, and hand therapy.

Application Information

Shenandoah University’s Division of Occupational Therapy requires all applicants to go through OTCAS for the application process.

Program Admission Prerequisites

Application Information

• Bachelor’s degree or higher (in any field) from a regionally accredited institution prior to matriculation.
• A grade of “C” or above is required for all prerequisite courses.
• Three letters of recommendation from current/recent academic and/or professional contacts.
• Observation hours: In order to obtain an understanding of Occupational Therapy, we recommend shadowing a licensed OT, preferably in multiple settings.
• Personal Essay: Please write an essay explaining your motivation for choosing a career in Occupational Therapy.