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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).

MS to DrOT

Within this track, the student must have a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy, but can have a Master’s degree in any field or a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. This track is a 33-credit hour program that will take students approximately one and a half years to complete.

BS to DrOT

Within this track, the student has a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy, with certification as a professional occupational therapist. However, they do not have a Master’s degree. Therefore, in addition to completing the 33 doctoral credits, students will need to complete a bridge certificate of 9 credits of graduate level public health courses, simultaneously. This track for the doctor of occupational therapy program is a 42-credit hour program that will take students at least two years to complete.

Cost of Attendance

2021-2022 Graduate Tuition, Per Credit Hour
Cost per Credit Hour: $715
BS to DrOT: 42 Credits
MS to DrOT: 33 Credits
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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:

  1. Minimum of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy
  2. Master’s degree in occupational therapy or another field of study
  3. Graduate GPA of 3.25 or higher
  4. Current state licensure as an occupational therapist in good standing
  5. Minimum of one-year work experience as an occupational therapist preferred
  6. Letter of intent explaining why the candidate is seeking this degree and goals for using this degree (two-page maximum)
  7. 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:

  1. Minimum of Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy
  2. Undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher
  3. Current state licensure as an occupational therapist in good standing
  4. Minimum of one-year work experience as an occupational therapist preferred
  5. Letter of intent explaining why the candidate is seeking this degree and goals for using this degree (two-page maximum)
  6. Two letters of professional reference
  7. No GRE required

Deadlines

Fall, spring, and summer starts with rolling admission review.

HLC Statement »

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

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    Occupational Therapy Advances Knowledge and Careers

    Classes in the occupational therapy program put the students’ schedules in perspective, allowing for online classes that provide live interactions with their instructors.

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