Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ppOTD)

Post-Professional OTD Overview

The Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ppOTD) at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences offers practitioners with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy the opportunity to advance their studies in the areas of clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program development, and education.

Flexibility

What’s more, our ppOTD program gives you flexibility:

• Progress through a flexible sequence of required and elective courses that encourages interprofessional engagement
• You decide when to complete your courses with the option of specializing in a preferred clinical practice area
• Courses are delivered online, so you can accommodate a busy schedule by choosing when and where you want to study

You have a wide selection of elective courses to choose from based on your preference for delivery method and professional interests.

One Degree, Multiple Pathways

• For candidates with a master’s degree* in occupational therapy:
  A minimum of 35 credits are required to earn the OTD, Post-Professional degree.
• Candidates with a MOT from the University of St Augustine for Health Sciences are able to earn the degree with a minimum of 29 credits.
• For candidates with a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy: A minimum of 60 credits are required to earn the OTD, Post-Professional degree.

*The master’s degree may be either first professional degree or a post-professional degree.

Optional Specializations

All students enrolled in the PPODT program are eligible to earn a specialization in one of the following areas of study:

• Executive Leadership
• Teaching and Learning

Or students can chose an optional certification track.

• The ImPACT® Trained Occupational Therapist (ITOT) certification is available for students who first complete the course Concussion in Sport course as an elective.

The required courses for each specialization and certification can be found on the ppOTD Curriculum page.

Interprofessional Education Opportunities

We believe that collaboration is a cornerstone of education. At USAHS, you will have the unique opportunity to learn alongside students from different health care professions to hone your skills and benefit from a variety of perspectives. We’re confident that this team-based approach strengthens health systems and produces positive outcomes.

On-Campus Immersion

Attend one of our optional three-day, on-campus immersions as a part of your program. This immersive interprofessional experience will allow you to complete this course four-to-five weeks prior to the fully online option. Learn alongside your peers through collaborative team projects, and foster interprofessional problem solving, professionalism, leadership growth, and communication strategies. Hear what people are saying about our on-campus immersion program.

You will be responsible for the cost of travel and other expenses associated with optional immersion. Immersions are offered at one of the university’s four campuses.

Prior Learning Assessment

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) allows the student to utilize professional experience(s) for consideration to receive credit toward programmatic requirements by meeting specific course related outcomes as evaluated by Program Directors.

Beginning Fall 2017, applicants to the ppOTD program may apply for PLA review prior being admitted to the program. Students may also apply for PLA review at any point in their Plan of Study up until 50% of their required coursework has been completed.

Read more about prior learning assessment here.

Mission

The mission of the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ppOTD) is to graduate students with advanced knowledge in practice excellence who have the leadership and clinical skills necessary to promote the profession of occupational therapy. High priority is placed on active inquiry, critical thinking and reflective practice.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ppOTD) Program, graduates will be able to demonstrate:

• Develop lifelong learning skills to advance the profession of occupational therapy
• Promote interprofessional relationships through collaboration and communication with members of various professions
• Integrate sound evidence-based information into the provision of professional occupational therapy best practice
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing to promote professional practice
• Integrate ethical and professional standards in the delivery of occupational therapy services
• Exhibit leadership characteristics to advance the profession of occupational therapy within local, state, and/or professional organizations
• Apply critical reasoning skills required to advance the profession of occupational therapy

Students Residing Outside the United States

Please note that many countries have their own accrediting and licensing bodies, and degree recognition and licensure differ from country to country. Additionally, there are a number of countries that do not recognize online degrees for employment or promotion purposes, particularly government agency employment or promotion. University programs are designed to meet accreditation, licensure and other requirements in the United States. If you reside outside of the United States, it is important that you review and understand the requirements of your country of residence to confirm licensure requirements, as well as recognition of your program for employment or promotion purposes in those countries.

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