Group of OT students

Occupational Therapy O.T.D.

As an occupational therapist, you'll make an impact in the lives of your clients.

Develop skills that help individuals adapt to changes in their physical and emotional performance.

Program type:
Doctoral Degree
Format:
On Campus or Off Campus
Est. time to complete:
3 years
Credit hours:
124

Why earn a doctorate degree in occupational therapy?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Dec. 20

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (O.T.D.) program is based on the belief that purposeful activity (occupation) may be used to prevent and mediate dysfunction and elicit maximum adaptation.

Through the O.T.D. program, you'll develop the knowledge, skills and adaptive capacity needed to address occupational challenges. Specifically, you'll be trained to:

  • Customize and implement treatment programs to improve an individual's ability to perform daily activities and occupations.
  • Provide comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaptation recommendations.
  • Conduct performance skills assessments and treatment.
  • Make adaptive equipment and splints, provide recommendations and usage training.
  • Provide guidance to family members and caregivers.

The doctorate in Occupational Therapy is offered at two campus locations:

  • Main campus in Grand Forks, ND
  • Satellite campus in Casper, WY

UND's O.T.D. Degree

  • Gain real-world experience through practicums, fieldwork and teaching opportunities.

  • Develop a career plan with consultation from your assigned departmental faculty member.

  • Connect with those who share your passion through the Student Occupational Therapy Association.

  • Be a leader and connect with others through numerous community service opportunities.

  • UND's Pre-Occupational Therapy program is recommended for all incoming freshmen interested in OT. The three-year program provides the building blocks in your application to the O.T.D. program.

  • This program has been granted candidacy status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. Once full accreditation has been granted, it will meet the educational requirements for licensure in all U.S. States.

 

What can you do with a doctorate in occupational therapy?

86K

Annual median pay for occupational therapists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

17%

Projected job growth for occupational therapists through 2030

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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. They can be found working in the following environments:

  • Community mental health agencies
  • Home health services
  • Hospitals
  • Industry
  • Nursing homes
  • Occupational therapy outpatient clinics
  • Schools
  • Wellness facilities

O.T.D. Degree Jobs

Occupational Therapy alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

  • Sanford Health
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Regions Hospital
  • Aegis Therapies, Inc.
  • Altru Health System

Accredited O.T.D. Degree

The Occupational Therapy Program received Candidacy Status through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). For information regarding accreditation, contact ACOTE at 301.652.AOTA, or 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929.

The national entry-level certification examination for occupational therapists is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT, One Bank St., Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, 301.990.7979). Once accreditation has been granted, graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapists, administered by NBCOT. After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination or attain state licensure.

O.T.D. Courses

OT 513. Community-Based Practice Interventions. 4 Credits.

This course provides students with the opportunity to utilize critical thinking skills necessary to understand various occupations for populations in community-based practice settings. The application of the OT process will be integrated through intervention planning, implementations and outcomes in relation to community-based practice and occupation-based models for these populations. Prerequisite: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. S.

OT 440. Evaluation of Occupational Performance. 5 Credits.

This course engages the student in the critical thinking necessary to understand evaluation concepts and apply the OT process in the art and science of evaluation. Students will encounter diversity of OT practice and professional identity concepts through assessing occupational performance and underlying factors (i.e., client factors and body functions). Prerequisite: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. S.

OT 517. Education in OT. 2 Credits.

Explores the methods and strategies used to develop, implement and assess education programs for students in academia and fieldwork settings, for patients/clients, businesses and professional staff. Information and discussion focus on the theory and research relevant to education in a variety of settings. Prerequisite: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. S.

OT 439. Health & Disease Affecting Occupational Performance. 5 Credits.

Students will understand normal development throughout the lifespan and how it impacts occupational performance when disruptions occur. Prerequisite: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. S.

OT 502. Management & Advocacy for OT Practice. 3 Credits.

Students will understand the role of the occupational therapy manager, be able to analyze public policy and apply leadership skills through advocacy efforts. Prerequisite: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. F.

OT 443. Movement & Occupational Performance. 6 Credits.

This course combines the study of human anatomy and kinesiology to allow the student to grow competence in the evaluation of and intervention planning for the occupational performance of human beings. Included are human body dissection, theory and techniques of musculoskeletal evaluation with analysis of normal and pathological human motion. Prerequisite: Admission to the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. SS.

Explore More Options

Connect with the occupational therapy faculty at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

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