Program Overview

Occupational Therapy Doctorate (O.T.D.)

The VCU Occupational Therapy Doctorate program prepares students for entry-level practice, equipping them with knowledge to be outstanding leaders who utilize a client-centered approach, make decisions based on the best evidence, and create new knowledge and apply that knowledge to practice.

Program Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will apply occupational therapy theory and practice skills in occupational engagement, therapeutic use of self, activity analysis, clinical reasoning, and ethical decision making.
• Students will evaluate and document client occupational performance and participation.
• Students will design and implement occupation-based, client-centered evidence-based interventions that improve client participation in activities, occupations, roles, and routines.
• Students will communicate and work effectively with clients and members of the interprofessional team and articulate the role and value of occupational therapy.
• Students will articulate the role of occupational therapy in the contexts of service delivery models, policies, and systems for the promotion of human health and wellness.
• Students will analyze and synthesize relevant scientific literature and apply results to improve occupational therapy practice and patient care outcomes in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to translate evidence to advance occupational therapy practice.
• Students will participate in professional development, leadership, and advocacy opportunities.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• A preferred minimum grade-point average in all college courses of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 system)
• Preferred prerequisite minimum grade-point average is 3.25
• An Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service application including:
  • A personal statement
  • A "value-added" essay (no more than 1,200 words)
  • Documentation of observation hours in two different settings under the supervision of an occupational therapy practitioner
  • Three letters of recommendation (one letter from an occupational therapist is preferred, but it is not essential)
• 26 credits of prerequisite courses
• Courses on kinesiology and medical terminology — strongly recommended, but not required
• For non-native English-speaking applicants, regardless of immigration status, a Test of English as a Foreign Language iBT score of greater than 102, a TOEFL CBT score of greater than 253, a TOEFL PBT score of greater than 610, or an International English Language Testing System score of greater than 6.5

Degree Requirements

In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students must complete all College of Health Professions requirements and successfully complete 104 credits.

Course Requirements

• IPEC 501: Foundations of Interprofessional Practice (1 credit)
• OCCT 580: Introduction to the Profession of Occupational Therapy (2 credits)
• OCCT 589: Advanced Functional Anatomy (7 credits)
• OCCT 590: Functional Movement Analysis in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
• OCCT 591: Neuroscience Applications to Occupational Therapy (4 credits)
• OCCT 592: Introduction to Injury, Illness and Disability (3 credits)
• OCCT 593: Analysis of Human Occupation (1 credit)
• OCCT 594: Theoretical Foundations of Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
• OCCT 613: Adult Occupational Performance I (3 credits)
• OCCT 614: Pediatric Occupational Performance I (4 credits)
• OCCT 615: Level I Fieldwork in Occupational Therapy (1 credit)
• OCCT 616: Research Process in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
• OCCT 617: Therapeutic Process in Occupational Therapy (2 credits)
• OCCT 618: Systems, Policy and Management (2 credits)
• OCCT 689: Occupational Therapy Assessment and Evaluation (3 credits)
• OCCT 692: Assistive Technologies for Occupational Engagement (3 credits)
• OCCT 693: Occupational Synthesis and Adaptations (2 credits)
• OCCT 707: Psychosocial Interventions in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
• OCCT 713: Adult Occupational Performance II (4 credits)
• OCCT 714: Pediatric Occupational Performance II (4 credits)
• OCCT 715: Level I Fieldwork in Occupational Therapy (1 credit)
• OCCT 716: Evidence-based Practice in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
• OCCT 717: Level I Fieldwork in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy (1 credit)
• OCCT 721: Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
• OCCT 759: Fieldwork Education Seminar (2 credits)
• OCCT 760: Level II Fieldwork in Occupational Therapy (9 credits)
• OCCT 761: Level II Fieldwork in Occupational Therapy (9 credits)
• OCCT 780: OTD Leadership Seminar (3 credits)
• OCCT 781: Program Development and Evaluation (2 credits)
• OCCT 782: Professional Development Seminar (2 credits)
• OCCT 783: Doctoral Capstone (10 credits)
• OCCT 784: Practicum Evaluation and Dissemination (1 credit)

Sample Plan of Study

The program spans three years (nine semesters), with the first semester being a nine-credit part-time semester and the second summer semester being a five-credit part-time semester. All other semesters, including the last three semesters of Level II fieldwork and the doctoral capstone, are full-time semesters.

Graduation Requirements

Graduate students must make formal application to graduate and complete all degree requirements as specified by the VCU Graduate School and the College of Health Professions.

Other Information

All graduates of an occupational therapy program are required to take the national certification examination to become a registered occupational therapist and use the credentials OTR. The national certifying organization for occupational therapy is the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Other licensure or certification requirements have been established by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Most licensure requirements include board certification as a registered occupational therapist. Some licensure or certification agencies consider individuals convicted of a felony ineligible for licensure or certification. For specific information, prospective students should contact the licensure or certification agency for occupational therapy.