Chatham University - Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

ADMISSIONS

> DEGREES & CERTIFICATES

   UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
   - RN-to-BSN

   MASTERS PROGRAMS
   - Wellness
   - Health Science
   - Professional Writing
   - Low Residency Creative Writing

   DOCTORATE PROGRAMS
   - Occupational Therapy
   - Nursing Practice

   CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
   - Infant Mental Health

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ABOUT US

Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy
Next Cohort Begins Fall 2007 - Secure Your Space and Apply Today!!

A fully accredited post-professional degree program from Chatham University, offers you the opportunity to earn a Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD). This program is for occupational therapy clinicians and/or academicians who want to enhance their career and be a professional leader!

Apply evidence-based literature and bring practice to a heightened level of professional accountability
Develop into a professional leader in areas of public policy, professional advocacy, and business management
Gain additional theoretical knowledge and clinical competence
Practice concepts of educational theory and measurement as it relates to both clients and students

Each course is intricately connected to the professional student’s practice focus. Student growth is not simply academic; what is learned in “the classroom” can be applied directly to the student’s work setting. The student will grow into an advanced clinician. The professional student’s practice focus may be the setting in which they work, or may extend into the community or an emerging practice area.

The OTD program is a 24/7 online experience so you are able to study with convenience and flexibility. You can study when and where your schedule permits, interact online with other students, share ideas, ask questions and exchange information. And to ensure success your online faculty advisor provides one-on-one guidance and feedback.

Online learning is enhanced with two short required on-site visits on the beautiful campus of Chatham University in Pittsburgh.

Admissions
To qualify for the OTD, you must have the following:

Master's degree
Master's degree or baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy
OT License Number for validation
Official transcripts sent directly to Chatham College
Completed application - apply now
Personal Statement of 300 - 500 words (part of application)

Program Length
The OTD program is completed in 16 months on a part-time basis. Students are enrolled in 2-3 courses per trimester, allowing the OT clinician or academician to maintain their work status. Each trimester (except summer) is split into two seven week sessions (first session is eight weeks as the first week is new student orientation). It is our aim that the student can balance life commitments and effectively engage in new learning.

Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Program Structure
Total 30 Credits


REQUIRED COURSES \| 30 credits - Click Course for Description
OTD740	Occupational Science	3 Credits
	Professional students examine landmark occupational science literature and apply learned concepts of human nature and meaningful occupation to observation exercises within their practice focus.
OTD741	Evidence-Based Practice	3 Credits
	This course is designed to provide the experienced therapist with a systematic method to critically evaluate and integrate the results of current scientific literature into the clinical decision making process. Students will participate in discussions and practical exercises to articulate clinical questions that can be answered through sources of scientific evidence. Strategies for searching relevant data bases, appraising and evaluating sources of evidence will be presented.
OTD742	Advanced Practice Concepts and Skills	3 Credits
	Students apply The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (AJOT, 2002) and conceptual models most relevant for their practice focus to evaluation and intervention processes. Additionally, students redesign facility forms to reflect The OT Practice Framework's language and concepts.
OTD750	Occupational Therapist as Entrepreneur	3 Credits
	This course provides the professional student with the knowledge and skills necessary to market and manage an occupational therapy practice in either traditional or emerging healthcare systems. Students develop business plans and marketing strategies and research potential financing through grants or loans. Legal and ethical issues impacting practice are also examined.
OTD751	Applied Evidence-Based Practice	3 Credits
	Students continue to develop their ability to critically evaluate scientific evidence within their practice focus. Through a critical review of the literature, the professional student generates an evidence-based plan of assessment or intervention. This is linked to the Capstone Rotation (faculty approval).
OTD752	Education Theory and Technology	3 Credits
	This course, through an examination of learning theories, provides the therapist with strategies to develop optimal learning experiences for their students, clients, caregivers, or employers. Coursework is applied directly in the professional student's educational and/or clinical setting. Students gain skills in current technological tools used in the teaching-learning environment.
OTD760	Ethics and Leadership	3 Credits
	The applied ethics portion of this course is an integrated review of the principles of ethics specific to therapy practice. Topics include: professionalism, reasoning, code of ethics, societal values and mores, conflicts of interest, and ethical patient care. The leadership and management portion of the course is an integrated review of the principles of leadership and management specific to therapeutic practices. Topics include: professionalism, strategic planning, supervision, quality assessment, marketing, principle-centered leadership, moral imperatives of leadership, and clinician as manager and leader.
OTD766	Methods of Evaluation	3 Credits
	Linked to PTH 774/OTD 774 Education Theory and Technology, students learn to evaluate the effectiveness of their teaching and therapeutic interventions. Methods for survey and test construction are examined and practiced with consumers of our services: students, clients, and/or caregivers.
OTD770	Capstone I: Design and Implementation	3 Credits
	The methods of evidence-based practice culminate in the professional student’s design and implementation of an intervention within their clinical setting. Although an independent study, students network with the faculty mentor, administrators, and other professionals to gain skills in current technological tools used in the teaching-learning environment.
OTD771	Capstone II: Evaluation and Presentation	3 Credits
	Professional students apply concepts from PTH 774/OTD 774 Education Theory and Technology and PTH 793/OTD 793 Methods of Evaluation as they evaluate the efficacy of implemented programs and present their findings. Presentations are conducted on the Chatham College campus to the Master of Occupational Therapy Program’s faculty, students, and area clinicians. Additionally, the professional student writes and submits a brief report for professional publication or grant application.

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