Occupational Therapy Doctorate, OTD
Dr. Claire M. Mulry, OTD, OTR/L, CAPS, FAOTA
Room: EC 226B
Phone: 908-737-5856
Email: ot@kean.edu
Program Description
The entry level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) will train students to become licensed occupational therapists. The cohort based curriculum (with admission in Summer II) consists of 103 credits that are earned over ten semesters. The OTD is designed to provide entry level education in occupational therapy for individuals who have a baccalaureate degree in another field. Each student completes 7 semesters of required academic courses, a minimum of six months of supervised full time fieldwork in approved clinical settings, successfully passes a competency exam, and completes an additional 14 week doctoral residency with a capstone project. Clinical fieldwork must be completed within 24 months of academic courses.
Currently, in order to become an occupational therapist, the minimum educational requirement is a Master’s degree. The overall goal of this degree is to train generalist practitioners. However, the entry level doctoral degree trains practitioners with advanced skills in one or more of the following areas: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development (ACOTE, 2017). Educating and training occupational therapy practitioners with advanced skills is beneficial in the changing healthcare arena. Students successfully completing the program will be eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be able to identify him or herself as an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). All states, including New Jersey, require licensure in order to practice. State licenses are usually based on the successful passing of the NBCOT Certification Exam.
*Please note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to complete fieldwork, take the certification examination and/or attain state licensure.
Prerequisites Coursework (B or better required)
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General Psychology
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3
|
|
Life Span Developmental Psychology1
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3
|
|
Psychological Statistics
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3
|
|
Introduction to Occupational Therapy2
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3
|
|
Abnormal Psychology
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3
|
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Introduction to Sociology
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3
|
|
or
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Cultural Anthropology
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3
|
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Anatomy & Physiology I & II (w/lab)1
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8
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1These courses must be taken within 5 years of application to the program.
2Must be completed at Kean University
Students may complete the required prerequisite at any accredited institution. If you intend to complete these prerequisites at Kean University, you may apply to the University as an undergraduate second-degree, non-matriculated student.
Required Coursework
Summer Semester One - 4 Credits
Fall Semester Two - 14 Credits
| OT 6002 | FOUNDATIONS OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY | 1 |
| OT 6210 | CONDITIONS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN I | 2 |
| OT 6612 | GROUP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| OT 6400 | THEORETICAL GUIDELINES TO PRACTICE I | 4 |
| OT 6200 | INTRODUCTION TO RESIDENCY I | 1 |
| OT 6500 | APPLIED KINESIOLOGY FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY | 3 |
Spring Semester Three - 16 Credits
| OT 6401 | THEORETICAL GUIDELINES TO PRACTICE II | 4 |
| OT 6303 | OCCUPATIONS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| OT 6611 | COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND SERVICE | 1 |
| OT 6223 | CONDITIONS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN II | 3 |
| OT 6201 | INTRODUCTION TO RESIDENCY II | 1 |
| BIO 6406 | ADVANCED NEUROSCIENCE (D) | 4 |
Summer Semester Four - 4 Credits
| OT 7202 | LEADERSHIP: DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION | 1 |
| OT 6520 | RESEARCH METHODS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY I | 3 |
Fall Semester Five - 17 Credits
| OT 7521 | RESEARCH METHODS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY II | 3 |
| OT 7920 | SEMINAR IN PSYCHOSOCIAL PRACTICE | 6 |
| OT 7923 | SEMINAR IN PEDIATRIC PRACTICE | 6 |
| OT 7200 | RESIDENCY PROPOSAL I | 2 |
Spring Semester Six - 17 Credits
| OT 7525 | ADVANCED RESEARCH IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY | 3 |
| OT 7921 | SEMINAR IN ADULT REHABILITATION PRACTICE | 6 |
| OT 7610 | ORTHOTICS, PROSTHETICS AND MODALITIES | 3 |
| OT 6551 | EDUCATION, ADMINISTRATION, SUPERVISION, AND ADVOCACY | 3 |
| OT 7201 | RESIDENCY PROPOSAL II | 2 |
Fall Semester Seven - 6 Credits
| OT 7960 | ADVANCED FIELDWORK SEMINAR I | 6 |
Spring Semester Eight - 6 Credits
| OT 7961 | ADVANCED FIELDWORK SEMINAR II | 6 |
Summer Semester Nine - 3 Credits
Fall Semester Ten - 16 Credits
Total Credit Hours: 103