Overview
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree at Valparaiso University, is an online post-professional (PPDrOT) 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 PPDrOT 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.
Occupational Therapy teaches skills to promote independence in everyday life using science and creativity. Occupational Therapists assess and direct care for individuals and populations of all abilities. Occupational Therapy Assistants provide care for individuals and populations of all abilities under the direction of an Occupational Therapist. Valparaiso University will be offering 3 levels of occupational therapy education.
- The Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) degree is specifically for the occupational therapist that has attained state licensure and is currently working in the field.
- The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree is for individuals seeking to become occupational therapists.
- The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (BSOTA) degree is for individuals seeking to become occupational therapy assistants.
Distinctions
The College of Nursing and Health Professions at Valpo has a strong foundation and history of integrating evidence-based practice into coursework, preparing students to apply what they’ve learned directly into their professional work.
Courses within the PPDrOT program are offered one at a time and online to cater to the working occupational therapists. This allows students to truly master content before moving on to the next topic — you’ll be better equipped to retain the material and immediately utilize it in your current practice.
You will also have the opportunity to customize your field of study based on your individual areas of interest and expertise to specialize in a niche area within occupational therapy and propel your career forward or into a new direction.
Curriculum
The PPDrOT has two tracks: one for those with a Master’s degree (MS to PPDrOT); and the second for those with a Bachelor’s degree (BS to PPDrOT).
MS to PPDrOT: 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 32-credit hour program that will take students approximately one and a half years to complete.
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Clinical Inquiry in OT EBP | 3 |
| Evidence Methods- Quantitative | 3 |
| Evidence Methods- Qualitative | 3 |
| Ethics in Practice/Research | 3 |
| Educational Principles in OT | 3 |
| Professional Advancement | 2 |
| Advocating for the Profession | 3 |
| Leading the Profession Through Effective Management | 3 |
| Scholarly Project I - Project Exploration | 2 |
| Scholarly Project II - Project Design | 2 |
| Scholarly Project III - Project Implementation | 2 |
| Total Credits | 32 |
BS to PPDrOT: 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 32 doctoral credits, students will need to complete a bridge certificate of 10 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.
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Clinical Inquiry in OT EBP | 3 |
| Evidence Methods- Quantitative | 3 |
| Evidence Methods- Qualitative | 3 |
| Ethics in Practice/Research | 3 |
| Educational Principles in OT | 3 |
| Professional Advancement | 2 |
| Advocating for the Profession | 3 |
| Leading the Profession Through Effective Management | 3 |
| Scholarly Project I - Project Exploration | 2 |
| Scholarly Project II - Project Design | 2 |
| Scholarly Project III - Project Implementation | 3 |
| MPH 603 Epidemiology | 3 |
| MPH 662 Global Health Theory and Education | 3 |
| MPH 513 Social, Behavioral, and Cultural Factors in Health | 3 |
| Total Credits | 42 |
Admission
M.S. to PPDrOT
In addition to completing the requirements of the Graduate School, students applying to the post-professional doctor of occupational therapy (MS to PPDrOT) 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
- No GRE required
B.S. to PPDrOT
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 3.0 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
- GRE required
Deadlines
There is ongoing rolling admissions to this program.
Contact
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
