Latest News
Upon completion of the OTD, students will be able to…
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The CSUDH Entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree (OTD) is comprised of 120 units offered in 9 consecutive trimesters, which include 12-week summer sessions. It requires successful completion of 93 credits of course work, 18 credits completion of Level II fieldwork, and 9 credits completion of Capstone Experience.
Students enrolled in the OTD degree program must have at least a “C” to pass each course. No course with a grade lower than a “C” will be applied to the degree program. In addition, students must have a minimum GPA of “B” or 3.0 to fulfill degree requirements. In order to be eligible for graduation, students must be in good academic standing. A student who is on academic probation may not be granted a doctoral degree.
OTD CAPSTONE PROJECT
A capstone project is the culminating activity requirement that needs to be successfully passed, in addition to all didactic, fieldwork, and capstone courses, for a student to be granted a Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy.
OTD Required Courses for Graduation:
All courses listed below are required for the OTD Program and need to be taken at the prescribed sequence.
1st Semester Summer – Foundations (13 units) (6 courses)
2nd Semester Fall - Pediatrics (18 units) (8 courses)
Clinical Courses:
3rd Semester Spring – Adult (18 units) (8 courses)
Clinical Courses:
4th Semester Summer – Adolescent (13 units) (8 Courses)
Clinical Courses:
5th Semester Fall – Geriatrics (16 units) (11 courses)
Clinical Courses:
6th Semester Spring (9 units) (1 course)
7th Semester Summer (9 units) (1 course)
8th Semester Fall – Capstone, Electives, and Advanced Clinical Courses (12) (2 courses)
9th Semester Spring - Capstone, Electives, and Advanced Clinical Courses (12 unit) (number of courses TBD)
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites: All prerequisites are all courses required to be taken one semester prior and all co-requisites are all courses required to be taken the same semester.
List of all required OTD courses by topic thread: (semester taken, course catalog numbers, course titles, course unit requirements, course description, C/C number).
Science Course Thread (12 units)
1st Semester OTR 512 (3 units) Human Anatomy
Advanced study of the human body by means of review of web-based materials specific to dissection, and identification of select specimens and structures of the body.
2nd Semester OTR 527 (4 units) Foundations of Kinesiology for OT
The course consists of lectures, activity analyses, and case studies designed to provide students with diverse opportunities to integrate key concepts of kinesiology into an understanding of how movement and loss of movements may impact performance of complex, everyday occupations.
3rd Semester OTR 547 (5 units) Neurological Foundations of Occupation
Foundational knowledge of how the human nervous system serves as the foundation for occupational choice and occupational engagement. Designed to provide opportunities to learn the structures and functional organization of the nervous system related to the performance of everyday occupations.
Entry-level Practice Clinical Course Threads (63 units)
2nd Semester OTR 722 (1 unit) Clinical Fieldwork I in a Pediatric Setting
On-site and/or simulated clinical experience with infants and/or children. Parallels with didactic course content to bridge classroom learning with clinical practice through observations of the OT process, such as screening, evaluation, intervention, re-evaluation, discharge planning and application of OT theories. CR/NC grading.
3rd Semester OTR 732 (1 unit) Clinical Fieldwork I in an Adult Setting
On-site and/or simulated clinical experience with adult clients. Parallels with didactic course content to bridge classroom learning with clinical practice through observations of the OT process, such as screening, evaluation, intervention, re-evaluation, discharge planning and application of OT theories. CR/NC grading.
4th Semester OTR 742 (1 unit) Clinical Fieldwork I in an Adolescent Setting
On-site and/or simulated clinical experience with adolescents. Parallels with didactic course content to bridge classroom learning with clinical practice through observations of the OT process such as screening, evaluation, intervention, re-evaluation, discharge planning and application of OT theories. CR/NC grading.
5th Semester OTR 752 (1 unit) Clinical Fieldwork I in a Geriatric Setting
On-site and/or simulated clinical experience with older adult clients. Parallels with didactic course content to bridge classroom learning with clinical practice through observations of the OT process such as screening, evaluation, intervention, re-evaluation, discharge planning and application of OT theories. CR/NC grading.
6th Semester OTR 592 (9 units) Fieldwork IIA
Completion of 12 weeks of full-time equivalent supervised Fieldwork Level II practicum in a community or clinical setting. With the supervision of the Fieldwork Educator (FE), student will conduct client evaluations, delivery of OT services, progress notes, documentation, reports and/or provision of resources as assigned at the placement site. CR/NC grading.
7th Semester OTR 593 (9 units) Fieldwork IIB
Completion of 12 weeks of full-time equivalent supervised Fieldwork Level II practicum in a community or clinical setting. With the supervision of the Fieldwork Educator (FE), student will conduct client evaluations, delivery of OT services, progress notes, documentation, reports and/or provision of resources as assigned at the placement site. CR/NC grading.
1st Semester OTR 713 (2 units) OT Frameworks and Models of Practice
Introduction to the OT Practice Framework and fundamental concepts of OT practice. Analysis of the development and application of theories, models of practice, and frames of reference in achieving desired intervention outcomes in a variety of practice contexts and environments.
2nd Semester OTR 723 (3 units) Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy: Pediatric Conditions & Case Analyses
Case analyses using simulated and first-hand personal narratives of children and their families. Examine effects of various developmental, physical and/or psychosocial conditions commonly seen in pediatric populations and employ clinical reasoning skills in identifying and addressing OT needs within varying service delivery models.
3rd Semester OTR 733 (3 units) Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy: Adult Conditions & Case Analyses
Case analyses using simulated and first-hand personal narratives of adults and/or family members. Examine effects of various physical and/or psychosocial conditions commonly seen in adult populations and employ clinical reasoning skills in identifying and addressing OT needs within varying service delivery models.
4th Semester OTR 743 (3 units) Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy: Adolescent Conditions & Case Analyses
Case analyses using simulated and first-hand personal narratives of adolescents and/or family members. Examine effects of various developmental, physical and/or psychosocial conditions commonly seen in adolescent populations and employ clinical reasoning skills in identifying and addressing OT needs within varying service delivery models.
5th Semester OTR 753 (3 units) Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy: Geriatric Conditions & Case Analyses
Case analyses using simulated and first-hand personal narratives of older adults, family members, or caregivers. Examine effects of various physical and/or psychosocial conditions commonly seen in geriatric populations and employ clinical reasoning skills in identifying and addressing OT needs within varying service delivery models.
1st Semester OTR 714 (2 unit) Introduction to Population Health
Introduction to the social determinants of health as well as health promotion and disease prevention at the community and global levels. Explore impact of sociocultural, socioeconomic, political, demographic, diversity factors, lifestyle choices, and epidemiological factors to public health and welfare of populations.
2nd Semester OTR 724 (2 units) Person, Environment, Occupation, and Health Promotion in Pediatric Populations
Explore the values and meanings of “occupations” within varying environmental contexts to the health and wellness of infants, toddlers, and children. Review service delivery models, policy issues, social systems, related to both traditional and emerging areas of practice for the pediatric population.
3rd Semester OTR 734 (2 units) Person, Environment, Occupation, and Health Promotion in Adult Populations
Explore the values and meanings of “occupations” within varying environmental contexts to the health and wellness of adults. Review service delivery models, policy issues, social systems, related to both traditional and emerging areas of practice for the adult population.
4th Semester OTR 744 (2 units) Person, Environment, Occupation, and Health Promotion in Adolescent Populations
Explore the values and meanings of “occupations” within varying environmental contexts to the health and wellness of adolescents. Review service delivery models, policy issues, social systems, related to both traditional and emerging areas of practice for the adolescent population.
5th Semester OTR 754 (2 units) Person, Environment, Occupation, and Health Promotion in Geriatric Populations
Explore the values and meanings of “occupations” within varying environmental contexts to the health and wellness of older adults. Review service delivery models, policy issues, and social systems, related to both traditional and emerging areas of practice for the geriatric population.
2nd OTR 537L (2 units) Assessments in OT Practice – Pediatrics
This course focuses on OT clinical evaluation with the pediatric population. Students will develop clinical reasoning and skill to select and administer standardized and non-standardized interview, observational, self-report and assessment tools in the processes of referral, screening, evaluation and documentation.
3rd OTR 557L (2 units) Assessments in OT Practice – Adult
This course focuses on OT clinical evaluation with the adult population. Students will develop clinical reasoning and skill to select and administer standardized and non-standardized interview, observational, self-report and assessment tools in the processes of referral, screening, evaluation and documentation.
4th OTR 517L (1 unit) Assessments in OT Practice – Adolescence
This course focuses on OT clinical evaluation with the adolescent population. Students will develop clinical reasoning and skill to select and administer standardized and non-standardized interview, observational, self-report and assessment tools in the processes of referral, screening, evaluation and documentation.
5th OTR 577L (1 unit) Assessments in OT Practice – Geriatrics
This course focuses on OT clinical evaluation with the geriatric population. Students will develop clinical reasoning and skill to select and administer standardized and non-standardized interview, observational, self-report and assessment tools in the processes of referral, screening, evaluation and documentation.
1st Semester OTR 719 (3 units) Therapeutic Activities & Group Dynamics Across the Lifespan
Introduction to how activities, as meaningful occupations, are used as interventions in OT practice. Identify, analyze, and adapt activities using various media in both individual and group therapeutic experiences. Discuss the historical and theoretical underpinnings of arts & crafts as a treatment modality.
2nd Semester OTR 539L (2 Units) Interventions in OT Practice – Pediatrics
This course focuses on OT clinical interventions with the pediatric population. Students will develop clinical reasoning and skill in treatment planning, implementation, reviewing progress, discharge planning, and documentation.
3rd Semester OTR 559L (2 Units) Interventions in OT Practice – Adult
This course focuses on OT clinical interventions with the adult population. Students will develop clinical reasoning and skill in treatment planning, implementation, reviewing progress, discharge planning, and documentation.
4th Semester OTR 519L (2 Units) Interventions in OT Practice – Adolescence
This course focuses on OT clinical interventions with the adolescent population. Students will develop clinical reasoning and skill in treatment planning, implementation, reviewing progress, discharge planning, and documentation.
5th Semester OTR 579L (2 Units) Interventions in OT Practice – Geriatrics
This course focuses on OT clinical interventions with the geriatric population. Students will develop clinical reasoning and skill in treatment planning, implementation, reviewing progress, discharge planning, and documentation.
OTD Research Portfolio Course Thread: (10 units)
1st Semester OTR 715 (1 unit) OTD Research Portfolio 1 – Introduction to Research Portfolio: Literature Review
Introduction to an individual e-portfolio focused on the completion of high quality research projects that contribute to occupational therapy practice. As the first of five courses, the focus is to review literature as a foundation to developing research questions and research proposals in succeeding courses.
2nd Semester OTR 725 (3 units) OTD Research Portfolio 2 - Methodologies in Quantitative Research
Comparison of quantitative research methodologies. Students will select appropriate methods and design a scholarly proposal aligned with the ethical policies and procedures necessary to conduct human-subject research.
3rd Semester OTR 735 (2 unit) OTD Research Portfolio 3 - Quantitative Research Project
Completion of a scholarly quantitative research report that supports clinical practice. Students are encouraged to submit for professional or public audience presentation or publication.
4th Semester OTR 745 (2 units) OTD Research Portfolio 4 - Methodologies in Qualitative Research
Comparison of qualitative research methodologies. Students will select appropriate methods and design a scholarly proposal aligned with the ethical policies and procedures necessary to conduct human-subject research.
5th Semester OTR 755 (2 unit) OTD Research Portfolio 5 – Qualitative Research Project
Completion of a scholarly qualitative or mixed methods research report that supports clinical practice. Submission for professional or public audience presentation or for publication in a peer-reviewed journal is required.
OTD Professional Development Course Thread: (12 units)
1st Semester OTR 701 (2 units) The Historical Analysis of Occupational Therapy Profession
Analysis of OT history, sociopolitical climate and its importance in meeting society’s current and future needs. Introduction to OT practice philosophical base, terminologies, scope of practice, professional roles and associations, certification/licensure, regulation, and accreditation as a baseline for professional development.
2nd Semester OTR 780 (1 unit) OT Professional Development Seminar – OT Code of Ethics
Principles and constructs of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and AOTA Standards of Practice. Analysis of ethical dilemmas and case study scenarios of clinical situations, decision-making, professional interactions, client interventions, employment settings, and personal and organizational ethical conflicts.
3rd Semester OTR 781 (1 units) OT Professional Development Seminar – The Reflective Occupational Therapist
Apply the concept of “therapeutic use of self” in the OT process with self-reflection on one’s personality, insights, perceptions, and judgements. Explore skills and knowledge needed to promote inclusiveness, diversity, justice, equity, sensitivity and responsiveness to societal and cultural differences in practice.
4th Semester OTR 782 (1 unit) OT Professional Development Seminar– Effective Communication and Team Dynamics
Introduction to the principles of interprofessional team dynamics, effective communication, and effective intraprofessional collaboration.
5th Semester OTR783 (1unit) OT Professional Development Seminar-Program Development & Funding of OT Services
Overview of important aspects and processes in developing programs that address occupational therapy needs, including funding sources, such as reimbursement systems and documentation as well as locating and securing grants.
5th Semester OTR 784 (1 unit) OT Professional Development Seminar – Administration & Management
Administration and management concepts and trends that influence service delivery to patients, families, students, and others in community and clinical settings, including supervision of personnel, quality improvement methods, and oversight of credentialing and licensure requirements consistent with federal and state laws.
5th Semester OTR 785 (1 unit) OT Professional Development Seminar-Adaptive and Assistive Technology & Devices
Assessment, selection, fabrication, application, fitting, and training of adaptive and assistive technology and devices that enhance occupational performance and foster participation and well-being of persons experiencing limitations due to personal or environmental barriers. Discuss state and federal laws affecting its availability or acquisition.
5th Semester OTR 786 (1 unit) OT Professional Development Seminar - Group Interventions
Historical, theoretical underpinnings and application of group work to populations spanning the lifespan. Focus on group dynamics and understanding human behavior in a variety of contexts to develop appropriate selection, planning, facilitation of group interventions.
9th Semester OTR 787 (1 units) OT Professional Development Seminar – Ergonomics
Specialized area of ergonomic evaluation and interventions for daily activities at home and in work environments, including body mechanics, work/rest cycles, application of traditional and alternative work environments, application and use of commercially available ergonomic equipment, and development of novel ergonomic applications.
9th Semester OTR 788 (1 unit) OT Professional Development Seminar –Leadership and Advocacy
Discussion of personal and professional responsibilities as occupational therapists, including ongoing professional development as well as engagement in advocacy, systems and structures that create legislation, and work in an academic setting.
9th Semester OTR 789 (1 unit) OT Professional Development Seminar – Business Aspects of Practice
Business aspects of occupational therapy practice, which include the development of business plans, financial management, program evaluation models, and strategic planning.
OTD Capstone Portfolio Course Thread: (17 units)
4th Semester OTR 790 (1 unit) OTD Capstone Portfolio 1 – Needs Assessment: Identifying OT Problem
Introduction to an individual e-portfolio for the OTD Degree capstone. As the first of five courses, the focus is to perform a needs assessment to identify an OT Problem as a baseline for the development of a research or evidence-based capstone project in succeeding courses.
5th Semester OTR 791 (1 unit) OTD Capstone Portfolio 2 – Evidence-Based Practice: Reviewing Best Intervention
Evidence-based rehabilitation as applied to occupational therapy practice. The student is mentored through the development of an evidence-based program proposal for a potential capstone experience placement site. A research project proposal may also be acceptable as approved by the academic adviser.
8th Semester OTR 792 (9 units) OTD Capstone Portfolio 3 – Capstone Experience
A 14-week in-depth exposure to one or more of the following: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development. Fulfills the capstone experience requirement of the OTD degree.
8th Semester OTR 793 (3 units) OTD Capstone Portfolio 4 – Capstone Project I
The first phase of the capstone project completion. The student is mentored through (1) the selection of doctoral capstone project committee, (2) development of a capstone project proposal for committee review and approval, (3) facilitation of the proposed research or evidence-based program.
9th Semester OTR 797 (3 units) OTD Capstone Portfolio 5 – Capstone Project II
Completion of the capstone project, which include both a written report and an oral presentation. Capstone committee approval required.
Electives – TBD as approved by academic adviser by concentration (6 units)
OTR 794 (1-3 units) Independent Study
Independent study under the supervision of a faculty member. Independent study contract and consent of academic adviser required. Repeatable course.
OTR 795 (1-3) Special Topics
Advanced course of special interest in occupational therapy. Topic and content will vary as announced. Consent of instructor and the academic adviser required with possible course prerequisites depending on topic. Repeatable course.
OTR 796 (1-3 units) Practicum: Supervised Internship
Supervised practicum experience in an area of interest, with a participating agency or company. The practicum internship will be chosen in consultation with the OTD program coordinator and academic adviser. Repeatable course.
OTR 798 (1-3 units) Directed Research
Independent research under direction of supervising faculty member in occupational therapy. Consent of the OTD program coordinator in consultation with the academic adviser required. Repeatable course.
OTR 799 (1-3 units) OTD Capstone Advisement
Thesis or project advisement. Advancement to candidacy and consent of the department chair in consultation with the OTD program coordinator and academic adviser required.
500 or 600-level Cognate Courses (TBD)