DrOT
Program Overview
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) degree at Valparaiso University, is an online post-professional (DrOT) program of study with two required on-site weekends. The program is designed to prepare graduates as innovators in occupational therapy through advanced skills in mentorship, education, evidence-based practice using knowledge translation, and advocacy and policy-making in the broader world of health care. The Valparaiso University DrOT is being taught by widely recognized leaders in the field, who will provide you with the skills to operate as a top professional in the field. The goal of this program is to develop advanced occupational therapy practitioners with a passion for life-long learning and inter-professional collaboration.
The DrOT has two tracks: one for those with a Master’s degree (MS to DrOT); and the second for those with a Bachelor’s degree (BS to DrOT).
M.S. to DrOT
In addition to completing the requirements of the Graduate School, students applying to the post-professional doctor of occupational therapy (MS to DrOT) program must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy
- Master’s degree in occupational therapy or another field of study
- Graduate GPA of 3.25 or higher
- Current state licensure as an occupational therapist in good standing
- Minimum of one-year work experience as an occupational therapist preferred
- Letter of intent explaining why the candidate is seeking this degree and goals for using this degree (two-page maximum)
- Two letters of professional reference
B.S. to DrOT
In addition to completing the requirements of the Graduate School, students applying to the post-professional doctor of occupational therapy (BS to PPDrOT track) program must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher
- Current state licensure as an occupational therapist in good standing
- Minimum of one-year work experience as an occupational therapist preferred
- Letter of intent explaining why the candidate is seeking this degree and goals for using this degree (two-page maximum)
- Two letters of professional reference
- No GRE required
Deadlines
Fall, spring, and summer starts with rolling admission review.
Amanda Scott, OTD, OTR, BCG, CADDCT-CDP, CLT
Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Program Director/Assistant Professor
Phone: 219.464.6174
Email: amanda.scott@valpo.edu
Track 1 (students already possess a master’s degree in any field of study MS to OTD):
| Semester | Course | Course length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Summer 1 | OTD 751- Professional Advancement in OT | 7 weeks | 2 |
| Year 1 Summer 2 | OTD 753- Clinical Inquiry in OT EBP | 7 weeks | 3 |
| Year 1 Fall | OTD 763- Evidence Methods- Quantitative | 7 weeks (1st 7 weeks) | 3 |
| OTD 765- Evidence Methods- Qualitative | 7 weeks (2nd 7 weeks) | 3 | |
| Year 1 Spring | OTD 761- Ethics in Practice/Research | 7 weeks (1st 7 weeks) | 3 |
| OTD 771- Educational Principles in OT | 7 weeks (2nd 7 weeks) | 3 | |
| Year 2 Summer 1 | OTD-755- Advocating for the OT Profession | 7 weeks | 3 |
| Year 2 Summer 2 | OTD 757- Current Trends in Advancing Emerging Practice Areas | 7 weeks | 3 |
| Year 2 Fall | OTD 773- Leading the Profession Through Effective Management | 7 weeks (1st 7 weeks) | 3 |
| OTD 783A- Scholarly Project 1- Discovery and Design | 7 weeks (1st 7 weeks) | 3 | |
| OTD 783B- Scholarly Project 2- Implementation | 7 weeks (2nd 7 weeks) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 33 |
Track 2 (students who have achieved a Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy BSOT to OTD):
| Semester | Course | Course length | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Summer 1 | OTD 751- Professional Advancement in OT | 7 weeks | 2 |
| Year 1 Summer 2 | OTD 753- Clinical Inquiry in OT EBP | 7 weeks | 3 |
| Year 1 Fall | OTD 763- Evidence Methods- Quantitative | 7 weeks (1st 7 weeks) | 3 |
| OTD 765- Evidence Methods- Qualitative | 7 weeks (2nd 7 weeks) | 3 | |
| Year 1 Spring | OTD 761- Ethics in Practice/Research | 7 weeks (2nd 7 weeks) | 3 |
| OTD 771- Educational Principles in OT | 7 weeks (1st 7 weeks) | 3 | |
| Year 2 Summer 1 | OTD 755- Advocating for the OT Profession | 7 weeks | 3 |
| Year 2 Summer 2 | OTD 757- Current Trends in Advancing Emerging Practice Areas | 7 weeks | 3 |
| Year 2 Fall | MPH 603 Epidemiology | 7 weeks | 3 |
| Year 2 Spring | MPH 662 Global Health Theory and Education | 7 weeks | 3 |
| MPH 513 Social, Behavioral, and Cultural Factors in Health | 7 weeks | 3 | |
| Year 3 Fall | OTD 773- Leading the Profession Through Effective Management | 7 weeks (1st 7 weeks) | 3 |
| Year 3 Fall | OTD 783A- Scholarly Project 1- Discovery and Design | 7 weeks (1st 7 weeks) | 3 |
| Year 3 Fall | OTD 783B- Scholarly Project 2- Implementation | 7 weeks (2nd 7 weeks) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 42 |
Student Testimonial
“I am in academia so all the learning and materials are applicable to me daily, but it would be practical and applicable regardless of where you are in your occupational therapy career,” Sara says. “In a clinical setting I would feel much more empowered to advocate for patients thanks to this program, which would help me serve them better.”
Sara Walters ’21 MOT, LOTR, BCP
Occupational Therapy Advances Knowledge and Careers
Program director Amanda Scott outlines the post-professional doctor of occupational therapy in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Classes in the occupational therapy program put the students’ schedules in perspective, allowing for online classes that provide live interactions with their instructors.