Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, c/o Accreditation Department, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’S telephone number is 301-652-6611, www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for the Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) located at One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, phone 301 990-7979, info@nbcot.org. Upon successful completion of this exam (and meeting all other NBCOT application requirements), the individual is able to hold the title of occupational therapist, registered (OTR). Most states have specific additional credentialing requirements (e.g., licensure, registration) in order to legally practice in that state. All state credentialing bodies require a passing score on the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the certification examination or attain state licensure.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy (OT) is a health-care profession that uses occupation, or meaningful activity, to help people lead productive and satisfying lives. Occupational therapists form a dynamic and collaborative partnership with service recipients in order to support their maximal participation in societal roles. The uniqueness of occupational therapy lies in the recognition and appreciation of the importance of day-to-day occupations that are used to positively influence ones health and well-being. People of all ages who have difficulty performing daily activities due to physical, psychological, emotional, or developmental problems can benefit from occupational therapy services on an individual basis or as members of a group or community.

Occupational therapy practitioners are skilled professionals whose education includes the study of human growth and development with specific emphasis on the social, emotional, and physiological effects of illness and injury and the concomitant benefits of engagement in occupation. Occupational therapists need to be people-focused as well as art- and science-oriented. They must be well-educated in the functions of mind, body, and spirit.

Occupational therapy is a rewarding and satisfying career that requires a high level of skills and expertise. See the list of Essential Functions for Coursework & Fieldwork on the department’s website that details the performance abilities and characteristics necessary to successfully complete the requirements of the OTD program.

Volunteer/Work Experience

Documented exposure to the field of occupational therapy is accomplished through volunteer or paid work experience in an occupational therapy practice setting, Completion of 20 hours at one site with one practitioner prior to acceptance to Xavier and an additional 20 hours at a different site with a different practitioner prior to beginning of classes on first day of freshman year is required for a total of 40 hours. Documentation must be on the Volunteer or Work Experience in Occupational Therapy forms. Only two forms will be accepted; additional forms will not be considered. The forms must be completed by a fully credentialed occupational therapy practitioner who supervised the student and must be submitted on the original forms. The supervisor may not be a relative, personal friend or acquaintance. Photocopies of completed forms will not be accepted.

Requirements

Upon acceptance into the OTD program, students are required to complete all graduate courses (OCTD courses) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Student membership into the American Occupation Therapy Association (AOTA) is also required as is membership in a State Association. The mission of the AOTA “advances occupational therapy practice, education, and research through standard setting and advocacy” (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2021)..

For all community-engaged learning, Level I and Level II fieldwork, and tge doctoral capstone experience, students must show evidence of malpractice liability insurance ($2,000,000/$4,000,000). Liability insurance is mandatory and provided through the University, and the University has negotiated a favorable group rate for occupational therapy students. Students are billed through the University when they register for realted courses. All students must also complete an annual Criminal Background Check. All students also must have current CPR certification; hepatitis B immunization; measles, mumps, and rubella immunizations; varicella, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis; Covid-19 full vaccination including booster; an annual tuberculosis test; annual influenza vaccine; annual history and physical exam; annual Universal Precautions and HIPAA training; and criminal background check in order to participate in all fieldwork experiences; drug testing may be requested upon demand. Level II Fieldwork courses must be completed within 12 months of the academic coursework on campus; doctoral capstone courses must be completed within 24 months of the academic coursework on campus.

Note: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the certification examination or attain state licensure. Additionally, a felony conviction may limit or preclude participation in certain community-engaged leanring experiences, Level I and Level II fieldwork sites, or the doctoral capstone experience.