Program Overview

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Occupational Therapy, OTD

The occupational therapy program resides in the Department of Kinesiology and offers an entry-level doctor of occupational therapy. Occupational therapists interested in pursuing advanced research training may also apply to the MS/PhD in Kinesiology with a specialization in Occupational Science. The purpose of the graduate program is to prepare clinicians, researchers, and teachers who possess a solid foundation in both the theoretical and applied aspects of the disciplines of occupational therapy and science.

Admissions

• The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below.
• Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School.
• Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s).
• Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
• Graduate Admissions Requirements:
  • Fall Deadline: The program does not admit in the fall.
  • Spring Deadline: The program does not admit in the spring.
  • Summer Deadline: November 1
  • GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
  • English Proficiency Test: Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment.
  • Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): n/a
  • Letters of Recommendation Required: 3
• Admission to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program requires:
  • Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited school of higher education by the start of the program
  • Unofficial transcripts from all previous postsecondary studies are required. International academic records must be submitted in the original language and accompanied by an English translation. If an applicant is recommended for admission, the Graduate School will ask applicants to request official transcripts sent to the Graduate School from the undergraduate institution.
  • Documentation of paid or volunteer experience in at least two different settings serving persons across the lifespan with physical, behavioral or mental health disabilities
  • Direct observation of Registered Occupational Therapists, or Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants, providing services is highly recommended
  • Personal statement responding to prompts provided on the graduate application
  • At least a "C" or better in the following prerequisite courses or their equivalent:
    • Lifespan Development (6 credits)
    • Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
    • Statistics (3 credits)
    • Human Physiology (3-5 credits WITH LAB)
    • Human Anatomy (3-5 credits)
    • Human Anatomy Lab (1-3 credits)

Funding

Graduate School Resources

The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Information

Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments at this institution.

Requirements

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Major Requirements

Mode of Instruction

• Mode of Instruction: Hybrid
• Definitions:
  • Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
  • Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UWMadison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
  • Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
  • Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
  • Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 97 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 85 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: All credits must be graduate-level coursework.
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
• Other Grade Requirements: Students must earn a grade of C or better for all required professional courses.
• Assessments and Examinations: Capstone project proposal and final product must be reviewed and approved by a capstone committee per Graduate School policy.
• Language Requirements: No language requirements.
• Graduate School Breadth Requirements: Breadth is provided via interprofessional training (doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate are not required).

Required Courses

• Occupational-Centered Practice Thread:
  • OCC THER 630: Clinical and Functional Anatomy for Occupational Therapists (6 credits)
  • OCC THER 640: Applied Neuroanatomy for Allied Health Professionals (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 650: Enabling Occupations: Introduction (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 651: Clinical Conditions I (1 credit)
  • OCC THER 652: Clinical Conditions II (1 credit)
  • OCC THER 662: Level II Fieldwork A (6 credits)
  • OCC THER 664: Level II Fieldwork B (6 credits)
  • OCC THER 722: Enabling Occupations 1: Adult Focus (4 credits)
  • OCC THER 723: Enabling Occupations 2: Adult Focus (4 credits)
  • OCC THER 724: Enabling Occupations 3: Mental Health Across the Life Span (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 725: Enabling Occupations 4: Pediatrics (5 credits)
  • OCC THER 726: Level 1 Fieldwork A: Adult Physical Disabilities (1 credit)
  • OCC THER 727: Level 1 Fieldwork B: Community-Based Mental Health (1 credit)
  • OCC THER 728: Level 1 Fieldwork C: Pediatrics (1 credit)
  • OCC THER 821: Case Synthesis 1 (1 credit)
• Evidence-Based Research Thread:
  • OCC THER 770: Evidence Based Practice Lab Practicum (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 771: Evidence Based Practice 1: Basics (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 772: Evidence Based Practice 2: Research Design, Methods, and Analysis (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 773: Evidence Based Practice 3: Research Translation (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 880: Introduction to Capstone (1 credit)
  • OCC THER 881: Capstone Project 1 (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 882: Capstone Project II (3 credits)
• Leadership and Professional Skills Thread:
  • OCC THER 710: Professional and Leadership Skills 1: Foundations (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 711: Professional and Leadership Skills 2: Effective Interprofessional Relationships (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 712: Professional and Leadership Skills 3: Management (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 811: Applied Leadership and Management in OT (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 814: Communicating OT to Interprofessional Audiences (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 822: Case Synthesis 2 (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 883: Doctoral Experiential Component (6 credits)
• Wellness Thread:
  • OCC THER 731: Living Well: Wellness Promotion for Graduate Students (1 credit)
  • OCC THER 732: Living Well: Designing Occupation-based Wellness Promotion (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 733: Promoting Health and Wellness for Populations (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 734: Living Well: Occupation-Based Interventions Promoting Health and Wellness (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 812: Current Trends Shaping Occupational Therapy Practice (3 credits)
• Total Credits: 97

Sample 3-Year Schedule

• Summer 1:
  • OCC THER 630: Clinical and Functional Anatomy for Occupational Therapists (6 credits)
  • OCC THER 650: Enabling Occupations: Introduction (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 731: Living Well: Wellness Promotion for Graduate Students (1 credit)
• Fall 1:
  • OCC THER 640: Applied Neuroanatomy for Allied Health Professionals (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 651: Clinical Conditions I (1 credit)
  • OCC THER 710: Professional and Leadership Skills 1: Foundations (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 722: Enabling Occupations 1: Adult Focus (4 credits)
  • OCC THER 770: Evidence Based Practice Lab Practicum (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 771: Evidence Based Practice 1: Basics (3 credits)
• Spring 1:
  • OCC THER 711: Professional and Leadership Skills 2: Effective Interprofessional Relationships (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 723: Enabling Occupations 2: Adult Focus (4 credits)
  • OCC THER 726: Level 1 Fieldwork A: Adult Physical Disabilities (1 credit)
  • OCC THER 732: Living Well: Designing Occupation-based Wellness Promotion (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 770: Evidence Based Practice Lab Practicum (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 772: Evidence Based Practice 2: Research Design, Methods, and Analysis (3 credits)
• Summer 2:
  • OCC THER 652: Clinical Conditions II (1 credit)
  • OCC THER 724: Enabling Occupations 3: Mental Health Across the Life Span (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 727: Level 1 Fieldwork B: Community-Based Mental Health (1 credit)
  • OCC THER 733: Promoting Health and Wellness for Populations (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 814: Communicating OT to Interprofessional Audiences (2 credits)
• Fall 2:
  • OCC THER 725: Enabling Occupations 4: Pediatrics (5 credits)
  • OCC THER 728: Level 1 Fieldwork C: Pediatrics (1 credit)
  • OCC THER 770: Evidence Based Practice Lab Practicum (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 773: Evidence Based Practice 3: Research Translation (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 811: Applied Leadership and Management in OT (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 821: Case Synthesis 1 (1 credit)
• Spring 2:
  • OCC THER 662: Level II Fieldwork A (6 credits)
• Summer 3:
  • OCC THER 664: Level II Fieldwork B (6 credits)
  • OCC THER 880: Introduction to Capstone (1 credit)
• Fall 3:
  • OCC THER 734: Living Well: Occupation-Based Interventions Promoting Health and Wellness (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 712: Professional and Leadership Skills 3: Management (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 812: Current Trends Shaping Occupational Therapy Practice (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 822: Case Synthesis 2 (2 credits)
  • OCC THER 881: Capstone Project 1 (3 credits)
• Spring 3:
  • OCC THER 882: Capstone Project II (3 credits)
  • OCC THER 883: Doctoral Experiential Component (6 credits)
• Total Credits: 97

Policies

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate Schools Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

• Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: With program approval, students may transfer up to 12 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions.
• Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: No undergraduate coursework may transfer for Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) requirements.
• Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers): Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
• Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UWMadison: With program approval, students may transfer no more than 9 credits of coursework numbered 300 or above taken as a UWMadison University Special student.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

Every graduate student is required to have an advisor to meet UW information management needs, and accordingly, and of its own volition, the department assigns an advisor to each student.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credit maximum. Refer to the Graduate School: Maximum Credit Loads and Overload Requests policy.

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

Professional Development

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.

Learning Outcomes

1. Articulate and apply underlying occupation-based theories, concepts and techniques of occupational therapy intervention for a variety of contexts.
2. Formulate systems to gather, analyze and interpret data and present to a professional audience.
3. Demonstrate active involvement in professional development, leadership, and advocacy for the benefit of constituents and the profession.
4. Synthesize current knowledge, available evidence and responses to interventions to inform new approaches to practice problems.
5. Demonstrate commitment to healthy long-term professional growth through the creation, implementation, and monitoring of a career development plan including application of wellness and prevention strategies.

Accreditation

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) Accreditation Status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2030.

Certification/Licensure

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy To look up NBCOT pass rates for Occupational Therapy Programs: Licenses are awarded at the state level. Students in the program will become eligible for the licensure exam.

Professional Certification/Licensure Disclosure (NC-SARA)

The United States Department of Education (via 34 CFR Part 668) requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure. The requirements of this program meet certification/licensure requirements in the following states:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland