Jul 03, 2025  
Xavier University Catalog 2021-2022 
    
Xavier University Catalog 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Occupational Therapy, OTD


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The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program was granted Candidacy Status from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) to accept applicants into an entry-level doctorate program beginning Fall 2020. ACOTE is located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 28052-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number is (301) 652-6111, accred@aota.orgwww.acoteonline.org. The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

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. Persons, groups, or populations who have difficulty participating in daily roles, routines, and  activities due to physical, psychological, emotional, or developmental problems can benefit from occupational therapy services.

Occupational therapists 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. The occupational therapy doctorate degree provides “opportunities for the occupational therapist to possess the necessary knowledge and skills as a direct care provider, consultant, educator, manager, leader, researcher, and advocate for the profession and the consumer” (ACOTE Standards, 2018). Occupational therapy is a rewarding and satisfying career that requires a high level of skill and expertise.

The Occupational Therapy Program spans 8 semesters post-baccalaureate degree and culminates in an earned occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) degree. The course of study includes completion of didactic and lab courses, fieldwork Level I and II, a capstone experience, and capstone project. The OTD Program’s Mission, Philosophy, and Curriculum Design center around curricular threads of Practice, Ethics, Advocacy, Leadership, and Scholarship. The Program’s Mission is to educate students to become competent and ethical practitioners who advocate for justice, serve as leaders, and embrace a lifetime of scholarship.

See the list of Essential Functions for Coursework and Fieldwork that details the performance abilities and characteristics necessary to successfully complete the requirements of the OTD program.

See Entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate Degree Admission Requirements  for application and admission details. Acceptance into the capped OTD program includes but is not limited to the following: completion of a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with an earned, preferred cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; completion of all pre-requisite course requirements; meeting competitive GRE score criteria; and submitting an application accompanied by three letters of recommendation. 

Additional Requirements

Student membership into the state and national occupational therapy professional organizations is required. Prior to beginning Level I and Level II Fieldwork, 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 courses that include a fieldwork or community experience. All students must have current CPR certification; hepatitis B immunization; measles, mumps, and rubella immunizations; an annual FBI & BCI criminal history record check, tuberculosis test, seasonal influenza vaccine, history and physical exam, universal precautions and HIPPA training. Drug testing may be requested upon demand. Possession of or ability to attain a valid passport for travel outside the US is required for the Total Immersion Diversity Experience (TIDE). Level II Fieldwork courses must be completed within 12 months of the didactic coursework.

Curriculum


  • OCTD 502 Occupational Science (3)
  • OCTD 504 Foundations of Occupational Therapy (3)
  • OCTD 506 Occupational Therapy Professional Standards and Ethics (3)
  • OCTD 508 Occupational Therapy Theory (3)
  • OCTD 510 Therapeutic Skills (2)
  • OCTD 512 Therapeutic Skills Lab (2)
  • OCTD 520 Occupational Therapy Measurement and Assessment (3)
  • OCTD 522 Scolarship I: Quantitative Research Methods (3)
  • OCTD 524 Occupational Justice (3)
  • OCTD 526 Occupational Therapy Process: Behavioral Health (3)
  • OCTD 528 Behavioral Health Lab (1)
  • OCTD 530 Focused Topic: Occupation-Based Movement Analysis (1)
  • OCTD 532 Focused Topic: Occupational Therapy Evidence-based Practice (1)
  • OCTD 534 Introduction to Capstone (1)
  • OCTD 600 Occupational Therapy Process: Pediatrics (3)
  • OCTD 602 Pediatrics Lab (1)
  • OCTD 604 Capstone Development I (3)
  • OCTD 606 Scholarship II: Qualitative Research Methods (3)
  • OCTD 608 Environmental Analysis (3)
  • OCTD 610 Focused Topic: School-based Practice (1)
  • OCTD 612 Focused Topic: Academia (1)
  • OCTD 614 Level I Fieldwork Pediatrics (1)
  • OCTD 620 Occupational Therapy Process: Adults (3)
  • OCTD 622 Adults Lab (1)
  • OCTD 624 Capstone Development II (3)
  • OCTD 626 Assistive Technology for Lifespan (3)
  • OCTD 628 Assistive Technology Lab (1)
  • OCTD 630 Occupational Therapy Management and Supervision (3)
  • OCTD 632 Research Project I (1)
  • OCTD 634 Focused Topic Lab: Prosthetics, PAMs, and Splinting (1)
  • OCTD 700 Occupational Therapy Process Geriatrics (3)
  • OCTD 702 Capstone Development III (1)
  • OCTD 704 Research Project II (3)
  • OCTD 706 Advanced Practice: Population Health & Community-Based Practice (3)
  • OCTD 708 Occupational Therapy Leadership & Advocacy (3)
  • OCTD 710 Focused Topic Elective (1)
  • OCTD 712 Level I Fieldwork Adult/Geriatric (1)
  • OCTD 714 Level I TIDE Fieldwork (1)
  • OCTD 720 Level II Fieldwork (A) (6)
  • OCTD 722 Level II Fieldwork (B) (6)
  • OCTD 800 Capstone Practicum (6)
  • OCTD 802 Capstone Dissemination (3)

 

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