| 2023-2024 Course Catalog
Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
The vision of the Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at Chatham University is to cultivate personal and professional growth as globally-minded citizens and as leaders in healthcare. At its core, the program promotes sustainable health and wellness for all persons, communities and populations.
The mission of the Chatham University Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program is to prepare students to be reflective, skilled, ethical occupational therapy practitioners and future leaders by facilitating:
- the ability to think and reflect critically about local, national, and global issues impacting occupational therapy practice and make professional judgments which consider and integrate the complex and multifaceted nature of clients' occupational performance.
- the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for current and future practice of the profession, in order to enhance and/or sustain the quality of human life.
- an awareness of the responsibility associated with the moral, ethical, and legal obligations inherent in the role of an occupational therapist.
- an awareness of and sensitivity to diversity through the use of a client centered approach, and a recognition of the role of occupation in maximizing participation, health, and human potential.
- sustainable professional growth congruent with attributes of personal integrity and authenticity through life-long learning via engagement in community focused service, professional leadership, and ongoing scholarly pursuits.
The Entry-level OTD program curriculum design is based upon self-directed, active, experiential, and didactic learning strategies. The curriculum focuses on the development of critical thinking/professional reasoning skills, occupational therapy knowledge and evidence-based practice skills, and professional growth and leadership. Students must complete fieldwork training and a doctoral capstone project as part of the degree requirement. Students must also complete all degree requirements no later than six years after the date of first enrollment in the program. A student may petition the Graduate Programs Committee, through the occupational therapy program director, for an extension for a limited period if such extension is sought before the five-year limit expires.
All occupational therapy courses are limited to occupational therapy students unless permission is obtained from the instructor and the program director.
Accreditation:
Chatham University’s Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Degree Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program 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).
Admission Requirements
How to Apply
Applicants to Chatham University’s entry-level occupational therapy program must use the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). Beginning mid-July, applications may be submitted through OTCAS with all admission requirements noted below. Please note the GRE is not required, and there is no supplemental application.
Important Dates For Fall 2024 Admission
Priority Application Deadline: OTCAS Submitted by September 1, 2023
Priority Virtual Interview Date: September 23, 3023
Additional Virtual Interview Dates: Added on an as-needed basis
All interviews are by invitation only.
In order to be eligible for an invite to the admission interview, applicants must have 3 of the 5 prerequisite courses completed by August 31, and at least one of those courses must be human anatomy with lab or physiology (animal or human) with lab or anatomy & physiology I with lab.
*It is highly recommended that you submit your application to OTCAS on or before September 1. OTCAS’s verification process occurs once an applicant e-submits the application and all official transcripts have been received. Verification involves some processing time, so it is in your best interest to submit all materials as early as possible to ensure your complete, verified application is available for us to review.
Admission Requirements
- A completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or completion of undergraduate requirements for the Integrated Degree Program (IDP) prior to the beginning of classes.
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended sent directly to OTCAS.
- Overall combined GPA of 3.0 or better on a scale of 4.0 as calculated by OTCAS.
- Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, grades less than a “C” are not acceptable, and prerequisite courses must have been completed no more than ten years prior to the anticipated start date of the program.
A "Pass" or “Satisfactory” grade for prerequisites will be accepted for coursework completed only during the Spring 2020 semester. However, such grades do not impact GPA calculation.
- At least three of five prerequisite courses completed by August 31 of the application year, and at least one of those courses must be human anatomy with lab or physiology with lab or anatomy & physiology I with lab.
Prerequisite courses:- Human Anatomy with lab - one term**
- Physiology (human or animal) with lab - one term**
- **If taking anatomy with physiology, both Anatomy & Physiology I and II with labs are necessary to fulfill the anatomy and physiology requirements.
- Abnormal Psychology – one term
- Statistics or Research Methods – one term
- Developmental Psychology or Lifespan Development – one term
- A combination of developmental psychology courses that cover the lifespan—birth to death—are also acceptable
- Optional Neuroscience - one term
- Neuroscience is not required; therefore, students who have not taken this course will not be disadvantaged during the admission review process. Exposure to this course content is helpful for matriculated students.
- Two professional letters of reference included in the OTCAS application. Acceptable letters of reference may include those from academic faculty or advisors, from occupational therapists involved in shadowing or work experience, or from supervisors or staff members from volunteer or work experience.
- Attendance at virtual interview.
ADDITIONAL ADMISSION INFORMATION
Advanced placement, transfer of credit, or credit for experiential learning is not available to students in the entry-level OT Program for occupational therapy courses due to the integrated and sequential nature of the coursework in this program.
INTEGRATED DEGREE PROGRAM
Chatham University undergraduates applying through the Integrated Degree Program (IDP) must complete all requirements outlined on their respective admission or track tab on the IDP Portal Site. All IDP applicants should work closely with their academic advisors to ensure all requirements are met according to the IDP course of study.
ADMISSION REVIEW PROCESS
After verifying that the minimum academic requirements are met, the occupational therapy program faculty reviews each candidate's entire application and invites the most talented and qualified students to interview before program faculty and alumni. As part of the admission review, Chatham reserves the right to request a background check prior to the offer of admission. The occupational therapy program strives for diversity and gender equity within each class.
ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS
Chatham University has entered into "Articulation Agreements" with a select group of Colleges and Universities. These agreements provide for additional student pre-professional advisement and possible priority admission status for candidates with exceptional applications, demonstrating academic preparation above the minimal acceptable standards.
Agreements exist with the following institutions for the 2022-2023 academic year: Allegheny College, Baldwin Wallace University, Grove City College, Penn State Mont Alto, Washington and Jefferson College, Waynesburg University, and Westminster College.
Applicants from these institutions are advised to discuss the articulation requirements with their advisor as well as the graduate admission counselor at Chatham University.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Admission Department:
Office of Admission
Chatham University
Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(800) 837-1290
(412) 365-1394
Email Admissions
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
International Applicants must submit additional documentation to the Office of Admissions. A list of these documents can be found on the International Admission web page.
ADMITTED STUDENT PROFILE
For students beginning Fall 2022:
Number Enrolled: 38 Average Overall GPA: 3.49 Average Prerequisite GPA: 3.48 Average Age: 24 Out-of-State Residents: 47%
For students beginning Fall 2021:
Number Enrolled: 40 Average Overall GPA: 3.54 Average Prerequisite GPA: 3.68 Average Age: 24 Out-of-State Residents: 37%
For students beginning Fall 2020:
Number Enrolled: 39 Average Overall GPA: 3.57 Average Prerequisite GPA: 3.6 Average Age: 23 Out-of-State Residents: 46%
Learning Outcomes
Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
The curriculum design consists of three threads and three levels. The learning experiences are designed to enable the graduate to demonstrate the three major program outcomes at a level consistent with candidacy for entry-level practice:
Outcome #1: Professional Reasoning
Professional Reasoning is defined as “the process that practitioners use to plan, direct, perform, and reflect on client care” (Schell, 2014). Professional reasoning begins with critical thinking which includes the process of evaluating and judging the accuracy of information through questioning and probing of ideas in order to make informed conclusions (Ruggiero, 2014).
Beginning Level: The student will:
- understand the dimensions of the professional reasoning process across the domains of occupational therapy.
- understand the importance and the impact of context and environment (cultural, personal, temporal, physical, virtual, and social) on occupational engagement.
- identify client centered occupational performance problems and ask appropriate questions.
- describe the value and relevance of evidence-based practice in the OT process.
Intermediate Level: The student will:
- analyze and generate possible solutions in response to client centered occupational performance problems.
- synthesize new concepts with previously learned information to make decisions regarding evaluation and intervention.
- begin to use evidence to support and guide decision making.
Entry Level: The student/graduate will:
- recognize the role of experience and ongoing self-directed learning in professional reasoning.
- incorporate evidence-based practice skills in the OT process.
- examine and analyze the dynamic relationship between the person, environment and occupation in order to prioritize and/or modify appropriate courses of action that effect change in the person, community and/or society
Outcome #2: Occupational Therapy Knowledge and Skills
Occupational Therapy Knowledge and Skills is defined as a dynamic understanding of the theoretical tenets, the domain and process of occupational therapy (AOTA, 2014), and the competent application of that knowledge to OT practice.
Beginning Level: The student will:
- articulate the basic tenets and foundational history of the profession, including the power of occupation to support health and participation, the concept of client centeredness as a core principle of the profession.
- understand and use structured interviews, directed observations, and standardized/non-standardized assessment tools, and discuss and document results using professional terminology.
- identify and describe the domain and process of occupational therapy.
- define the importance of therapeutic use of self in the occupational therapy process.
Intermediate Level: The student will:
- select and administer appropriate evaluation methods/tools, including scoring, interpreting and documenting results.
- formulate and implement a client centered intervention plan, guided by the occupational profile, conceptual models of practice, and the best available evidence.
- demonstrate appropriate therapeutic use of self in a variety of contexts.
Entry Level: The student/graduate will:
- modify therapeutic use of self in response to the needs of clients
- adapt evaluation, intervention, and service delivery methods to meet the dynamic needs of persons, groups, and populations.
- apply knowledge and strategies related to the management of occupational therapy services, including program development, marketing, and program evaluation.
- demonstrate the ability to navigate and influence health care policy, occupational therapy practice, and/or societal needs.
Outcome # 3: Professional Growth and Leadership
Professional Growth and Leadership encompasses a myriad of experiences that promote sustainable professional growth including leadership, enculturation into the profession, ongoing self-assessment, and engagement in continuing education and scholarly endeavors.
Beginning Level: The student will:
- identify and articulate an understanding of behaviors that are consistent with the AOTA Code of Ethics, national, regional and local governing bodies and their implications for practice.
- understand the role and importance of professional organizations associated with occupational therapy practice.
- identify and demonstrate behaviors consistent with the role of a professional, including verbal and nonverbal communication, leadership, and active engagement in the learning process.
Intermediate Level: The student will:
- demonstrate behaviors that are consistent with ethical and legal practice guidelines.
- identify and use resources and opportunities for professional and scholarly development.
- reflect upon one's own professional development and identify areas of strength, areas for improvement, and goals for professional growth.
Entry Level: The student/graduate will:
- generate options for reconciling ethical and/or legal issues and articulate an understanding of the issues relevant to all parties.
- modify professional presentation and level of content to meet the needs of the person, group, and/or organization.
- integrate leadership skills and personal strengths congruent with professional authenticity and integrity in order to serve in multifaceted occupational therapy roles.
- develop a plan for continued scholarly and professional activities.
- engage in professional, advocacy, and scholarly endeavors.
