2020-2021 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Postprofessional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy
This program will be available to only master's prepared occupational therapists.
Master prepared occupational therapists admitted to the program are required to complete 36 credits of doctoral level coursework. All doctoral courses will have an advanced practice focus, that may include service learning, problem-based learning, and/or global learning, to demonstrate applicability to a broad clientele. Additionally, a Capstone project, grounded in theory and evidence-producing research will be required. Students completing this program will have sufficient understanding of research to be intelligent consumers of research publications and be able to use research findings to support evidence-based practice.
Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle St, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604.
Phone: (800) 621-7440.
Admission
The following is required for admission to the doctorate in occupational therapy program:
- A minimum of two years of practice as a registered occupational therapist.
- Cumulative GPA for last 60 credit hours of 3.25.
- Critical evaluation of an occupational therapy article selected by the OST Department faculty.
- Identification of specific, individual goals and timelines for seeking the Dr.O.T. degree, within a personal statement.
- Personal interview with two members of the OST Department faculty.
- Three letters of support from professional colleagues, supervisors, or department heads.
Note: Students must maintain at least part-time employment throughout their matriculation in the doctoral program. Exceptions to this requirement will be addressed by a faculty committee on a case-by-case basis.
Dr.O.T. Curriculum
Core Courses
Required of all Dr.O.T. students.
Policy, Advocacy, and Leadership Courses
- OST 710 - Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health (3 credits)
- OST 725 - Leadership for Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
- OST 735 - Public Policy and Advocacy (3 credits)
Advanced Practice Courses
- OST 715 - Critical Analysis of Occupational Science (3 credits)
- OST 720 - Cultural and Contextual Influences on Occupational Performance (3 credits)
Education Courses
- OST 750 - Critical Thinking and Transformative Learning (3 credits)
- OST 754 - Curriculum Design in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
Doctoral Project
- OST 730 - Applied Research Strategies for Practice (3 credits)
- OST 790 - Doctoral Project Preparation (3 credits)
- OST 793 - Doctoral Project Defense (1 to 6 credits)
Additional Credits
All Dr.O.T. students will complete one of the following courses:
- OST 780 - Special Topics in Occupational Therapy (1 to 3 credits)
- OST 799 - Independent Study in Occupational Therapy (1 to 3 credits)
Potential Elective Courses within the OST Department
- OST 738 - Outcome Measures for Occupational Performance (3 credits)
- OST 740 - Best Practice in School-Based Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
- OST 744 - Advanced Occupational Therapy Practice: Birth to 3 years (3 credits)
- OST 758 - Evaluation in Occupational Therapy Education (3 credits)
- OST 760 - Introduction to Hand Rehabilitation (3 credits)
Notes:
- All electives in the OST department will be offered at three credits.
- Electives from outside the program will be approved by the Dr.O.T program coordinator.
- Students may consider courses from: education, public health, assistive technology certificate program, or other master's level courses offered at GVSU.
Full-Time Course Sequence
Semester One
- OST 715 - Critical Analysis of Occupational Science (3 credits)
- OST 730 - Applied Research Strategies for Practice (3 credits)
- OST 750 - Critical Thinking and Transformative Learning (3 credits)
Semester Two
- OST 720 - Cultural and Contextual Influences on Occupational Performance (3 credits)
- OST 725 - Leadership for Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
- OST 790 - Doctoral Project Preparation (3 credits)*
Semester Three
- OST 710 - Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health (3 credits)
- OST 754 - Curriculum Design in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
- OST 793 - Doctoral Project Defense (1 to 6 credits)*
- OST 780 - Special Topics in Occupational Therapy (1 to 3 credits) OR OST 799 - Independent Study in Occupational Therapy (1 to 3 credits), OR elective from outside program OST 793 - Doctoral Project Defense (1 to 6 credits)*
* Designates a hybrid course
Part-Time Course Sequence
Semester One
- OST 715 - Critical Analysis of Occupational Science (3 credits)
- OST 750 - Critical Thinking and Transformative Learning (3 credits)
Semester Two
- OST 720 - Cultural and Contextual Influences on Occupational Performance (3 credits)
- OST 725 - Leadership for Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
Semester Three
- OST 710 - Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health (3 credits)
- OST 730 - Applied Research Strategies for Practice (3 credits)
Semester Four
- OST 735 - Public Policy and Advocacy (3 credits)
- OST 790 - Doctoral Project Preparation (3 credits)*
Semester Five
- OST 780 - Special Topics in Occupational Therapy (1 to 3 credits) OR OST 799 - Independent Study in Occupational Therapy (1 to 3 credits), OR elective
- OST 793 - Doctoral Project Defense (1 to 6 credits)*
Semester Six
- OST 754 - Curriculum Design in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
- OST 793 - Doctoral Project Defense (1 to 6 credits)*
* Designates a hybrid course