Program Overview

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Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Overview

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program at WOU is the first public doctoral-level occupational therapy (OT) program in Oregon and is designed to prepare students to balance the art and science of OT practice as entry-level therapists. Occupational therapists work with individuals, groups, and organizations to promote health and wellness across the age span so that everyone can strive to live life to the fullest. Occupational therapy practitioners use occupations (meaningful activities) to support individuals in doing the things they want to do, need to do, and are expected to do in daily life.

Program Details

Designed for:

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program at WOU is the first public doctoral-level occupational therapy (OT) program in Oregon and is designed to prepare students to balance the art and science of OT practice as entry-level therapists. Occupational therapists work with individuals, groups, and organizations to promote health and wellness across the age span so that everyone can strive to live life to the fullest. Occupational therapy practitioners use occupations (meaningful activities) to support individuals in doing the things they want to do, need to do, and are expected to do in daily life.

Begin your Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program:

• Fall 2026

Finishing will take:

• 147 quarter credits
• Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2023 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
• Doctoral Capstone Experience and Project

Where you will take classes:

• The fully accessible WOU Center for Graduate Studies in Salem, OR
• Some classes will utilize a hybrid format
• 3rd year didactic courses will be hybrid
• Final doctoral capstone presentations will be in person the week leading up to graduation

Technology you will need:

• Reliable computer with high-speed internet connection
• Microsoft Office software (student version is sufficient)
• Video conferencing capability (e.g. Zoom)
• The Occupational Therapy Doctorate program includes a limited number of hybrid courses. Students must be proficient in the use of web-conferencing software (e.g. Zoom), Microsoft Office, GoogleApps, and online course management programs (e.g. Canvas).

What you will learn:

Students will learn the skills necessary to become outstanding entry-level occupational therapy practitioners across the diverse settings and contexts where occupational therapists work. Students will become skilled in analyzing and applying scientific evidence through artful interventions to support participation and occupational performance for all.

Learning outcomes:

Students will:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to be excellent, generalist, entry-level occupational therapists
2. Understand the importance of promoting health throughout the lifespan using meaningful occupations
3. Apply skilled application of occupational therapy theories to evaluate clients and develop appropriate interventions using occupations to improve functional performance and quality of life for those served
4. Create a life-long learning plan
5. Provide services through a lens of cultural humility that promotes equitable care while accepting diverse perspectives and promoting inclusion for all
6. Demonstrate an awareness of emerging areas of practice and the significance of community-based services
7. Be prepared to become leaders and agents of change, empowering therapists and clients alike
8. Collaborate with clients, professionals, and others through clear, effective, and empathetic communication

Application Requirements

Deadlines and key dates:

• You may apply to start the program fall 2026
• Applications Opens : July 18, 2025
• Application Closes: June 19, 2026
• Priority Review Deadline: October 31, 2025
• Notifications of Acceptance: Beginning December 12, 2025

Detailed application requirements

• Application and supporting materials will be submitted via the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Services (OTCAS) system.

To start, you need:

• Evidence of completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution as defined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent baccalaureate degree. If the applicant’s cumulative GPA is below 3.00, but a calculation using the last 90 quarter credits (60-semester credits) of graded course work is 3.0 or higher, the latter will be used as the basis for admission.If an applicant does not have a cumulative or last 90 quarter credit GPA higher than a 3.0, applicants may petition to use their prerequisite GPA to meet admission criteria. For more information on the prerequisite GPA petition please email Kristin Nxumalo:.
• Transcripts and/or academic records submitted through OTCAS from all institutions attended.
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• OTCAS Personal Statement Prompt: Discuss how your academic background and life experiences will contribute to success in the OT program while enhancing our program and the profession of occupational therapy.
• Western Oregon University short-essay statement: Please consider the following Western Oregon University OTD curricular threads, and in a brief statement, describe which one resonates with you most and why:
  • Power of occupation
  • Art and science of occupational therapy
  • Community health and social change
  • Critical and innovative thinking for practice and scholarship
  • Steward leadership and occupational justice
• Prerequisite Courses:
  • Successful Completion of the following prerequisites with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 within the past 10 years (P/NP grading during the global pandemic [Spring 2020 – Summer 2021] may be considered if a grade of “P” was earned) Prerequisite courses may be in progress at the time of application, so long as they are completed by the program start in September :
    • Human Anatomy & Physiology with labs (9 semester or 12 quarter hours) [Courses at WOU that satisfy the requirements: BI234, BI235, BI236]]
    • Human Development (3 semester, 4 quarter units)[Courses at WOU that satisfy the requirements: PSY311]
    • Social Sciences/Humanities (12 semester or 16 quarter hours) Courses can be in any of the following subject areas butat least one course be in Psychology.
      • Psychology
      • Gerontology
      • Exercise Science
      • Public Health
      • Criminal Justice
      • Religious Studies
      • Ethnic Studies
      • Gender Studies
      • Human Sexuality
      • Literature
      • Anthropology
      • Sociology
      • Social Work
      • Philosophy
      • History
      • Language(s)
      • Culture
      • Art(s)

Curriculum

OT Mission:

To produce socially conscious and evidence-informed OT practitioners that utilize the power of occupation to promote the health and well-being of people and their communities in our region and the larger world.

OT Vision:

We envision a world where everyone has access to and the ability to participate in meaningful occupations that support health and well-being.

WOU OTD will achieve this vision by:

• Diversifying the profession of OT to increase access to occupational opportunities for historically underserved and minoritized persons in our communities locally, nationally, and globally.
• Cultivating student success by supporting the inclusion of, and respect for all learners, faculty, and staff while embracing the diversity of experience and thought present throughout our world.
• Producing resilient and innovative leaders who integrate the art and science of occupational therapy.

Curriculum Overview [Curriculum Grid]

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program prepares graduates to work with individuals, groups, and populations who are affected by physical, cognitive, psychosocial, mental, developmental, and/or learning challenges, as well as adverse environmental conditions, to maximize their occupational functioning and maintain optimum health through a planned mix of acquired skills, performance motivation, environmental adaptations, assistive technologies, and physical agents. Occupational Therapy education includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, psychology, sociology, client assessment and evaluation, standardized and non-standardized tests and measurements, assistive and rehabilitative technologies, ergonomics, environmental health, special education, vocational counseling, health education and promotion, health advocacy, and professional standards and ethics.

The OTD program is a three-year professional doctorate degree that will prepare students for careers as occupational therapists and faculty in Occupational Therapy programs. The program is built upon a foundation of human occupation, lifespan development, mental health, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, and neuroscience that supports evaluation and assessment, applied research, intervention and rehabilitation, clinical practice, and advocacy. The program will meet all national accreditation requirements as prescribed by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The sixty-one learning outcomes required of all ACOTE accredited programs will be delivered over 11 terms, including 24 weeks of Level II Clinical Fieldwork and a 14-week Doctoral Capstone Experience.

Curriculum Threads and Program Outcomes

• The power of occupation
  • Work with individuals across the lifespan and in various contexts to harness the transformative nature of engaging in occupations (meaningful activities) that promote health, well-being, and participation in purposeful life roles.
• Weaving the art and science of occupational therapy
  • Utilize the unique blend of theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, creativity, and human connection to help people achieve meaningful and purposeful lives.
• Community health and social change.
  • Understand what creates healthy communities, how environments and contexts shape health and well-being, and how to act as social change agents alongside the communities we serve.
• Critical and innovative thinking for practice and scholarship
  • Think outside the box to engage in thoughtful analysis, problem-solving, and creative solutions within the context of occupational therapy practice. Continuously reflect on practice and the unique needs of individuals, groups, and populations.
• Steward leadership and occupational justice
  • Adopt roles that extend beyond traditional clinical practice to become advocates, facilitators, and supporters of positive change within the profession and society at large. Work to advance the field, promote ethical practice, and ensure that the principles of occupational justice are upheld.

Faculty

• ** SEAN ROUSH**
  • Director of Occupational Therapy
  • VICK BUILDING(VICK) 205B
• ** HALLEY READ**
  • TT Assistant Professor & Capstone Coordinator, Occupational Therapy
  • VICK BUILDING(VICK) 205A
• ** STACEY VIEYRA-BRAENDLE**
  • Assistant Professor & Fieldwork Coordinator, Occupational Therapy
  • VICK BUILDING(VICK) 205C
• ** AMY STEWART**
  • Administrative Program Assistant
  • VICK BUILDING(VICK) 206
• ** RONNIE TAYLOR**
  • Assistant Professor
• ** KRISTIN NXUMALO**
  • Assistant Professor
• ** SHRUTI GADKARI**
  • TT Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy
• ** LISA PORTER**
  • Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy
  • VICK BUILDING(VICK) 208 D
• ** BRIANNE SALVATI**
  • TT Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

Student Resources

• Student Handbook
• Clinical Education Manual
• Student Blog

News

• Western Oregon Enhances Anatomy Education with Cutting-Edge Cadaver Technology
• Halley Read and Ronnie Taylor visit local Koin TV on May 8, 2024
• Halley Read: Building pathways for Western’s future Occupational Therapists