Occupational Therapy
Courses
OTD 7001 Interprofessional Approach to Health 3.0 Credits
This doctoral course exposes students to major theories and research about the process of interprofessional collaboration and looks at the features of successful interprofessional teams and team leaders. This course will also give students the opportunity to delve into specific topics in the literature on interprofessional collaboration that will inform their chosen specialty area of study in the OTD program.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 7002 Teaching in Higher Education 2.0 Credits
This course prepares students for the role of teaching in graduate programs and courses. Students will learn how to develop syllabi, course content, and course assessment. Instructional methods and strategies for enhancing student learning and teaching with technology will be introduced and applied. Students will learn how to transition and thrive in academia.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 7003 Advanced Occupation-Based Perspectives 2.0 Credits
This course examines the multifaceted aspects of human occupations. It will include perspectives from Occupational Science, Ecological Models of Occupation, Model of Human Occupation, Canadian Models of Occupational Performance and Engagement, and Person, Environment, Occupation model. The course will emphasize strength-based approaches, including enablement, relevant positive psychological constructs and interpersonal influences that facilitate participation in the clients? meaningful roles and occupations.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 7004 Grant Writing and Disseminating Scholarship 3.0 Credits
This course will introduce students to the process of bringing their capstone work to the scholarly community. As part of this course, students will create a conference proposal, complete a grant application, and understand the process of submitting to a peer-review journal.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 7501 Understanding Visual Deficits and Their Relationship to Occupation 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to provide students with a strong understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the visual system, and an understanding of the 3 - component model of vision, and the relationship between vision and occupation. The literature will be explored relative to the prevalence of vision problems in both the pediatric population and the acquired brain injury population. Important topical areas about vision in the pediatric and acquired brain injury populations will be explored.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 7502 Vision Testing and Screening 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the history of vision screening and how to select appropriate screening tests. A battery of vision screening tests appropriate for both the pediatric and acquired brain injury populations will be presented. Students will be required to perform each screening test on a minimum of 3 subjects.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 7530 Remedial Vision Rehab I 3.0 Credits
This course is the first in a two-part series. The course prepares learners to address visual efficiency concerns in collaboration with eye care professionals. Content includes treatment modalities, historical perspectives, current evidence, and areas of debate in vision therapy. An intensive workshop provides hands-on experience with intervention techniques. Students should take this course to develop advanced rehabilitation skills, critically appraise evidence, and apply vision therapy strategies in practice. It is offered at the end of the spring semester as a five-day in-person partial residency.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 7531 Remedial Vision Rehab II 3.0 Credits
This course is the second in a two-part series. The course advances skills in addressing eye movement, visual information processing, and visual field challenges in collaboration with eye care professionals. Learners review current evidence and practice intervention techniques through immersive training. Emphasis is placed on clinical application and outcome evaluation. Students should take this course to expand advanced vision rehabilitation competencies and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration. It is offered at the beginning of the fall semester as a five-day in-person partial residency.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 7701 Health and Wellness Across Life Cycle 3.0 Credits
This doctoral course will examine major theories and research on bio-psycho-social health and wellness across the lifespan from childhood, through adulthood (relationship/family development, work years, and changing women's health needs), post-work life including new conceptualizations of healthy retirements. These holistic perspectives will be integrated with Occupational Therapy conceptual models and practice, including lifestyle redesign, chronic illness self-management, as well as relevant complementary and integrative practices, and processes that will enable positive change. Exploration of the health and wellness needs and vulnerabilities of people with disability or at risk for disability will be included.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 7702 Global and Cultural Perspectives of Health and Health Policy 3.0 Credits
This course provides students with an overview of global health and health policy and focuses on the social, economic and environmental factors that impact the health of populations around the world. Health problems discussed include but are not limited to, malnutrition, injury, disasters, mental health disorders and chronic diseases. Emphasis is on the epidemiology of global health issues, and the policies and interventions that address these concerns. The role of the occupational therapist in global and population health is stressed throughout the course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 7703 Health Promotion in Groups, Communities and Populations 3.0 Credits
This self-paced course examines community health, prevention strategies, and health promotion at the population level. Learners integrate epidemiological evidence with collaboration, partnership development, and coalition-building strategies. Emphasis is placed on serving communities affected by disability or chronic illness. Students should take this course to build skills in program development, community engagement, and population-based intervention planning. This online course is offered in the spring semester.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 7704 Innovative Occupational Therapy Health and Wellness Practices 3.0 Credits
This self-paced course explores emerging and future-focused opportunities in health and wellness practice. Learners examine roles in primary care, chronic condition self-management, ergonomics, accessibility initiatives, transitional services, aging in place, and technology integration. Emphasis is placed on innovation, leadership, and adapting to changes in healthcare systems. Students should take this course to expand entrepreneurial thinking and develop forward-looking practice competencies. This online course is offered in the fall semester.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 7900 Independent Study in Occupational Therapy 1.0-3.0 Credit
Self-directed course within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 8001 Research Methods in Occupational Therapy 3.0 Credits
This course is designed to prepare the student for the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone project. A range of Doctoral Capstone options will be covered, including, but not limited to a systematic review, a qualitative or quantitative study, and program/manual development. Topics also will include searching, evaluating and synthesizing relevant research literature, developing a research question from the literature or from practice, introduction to systematically collecting and coding data (qualitatively or quantitatively), learning about an appropriate research or program evaluation design and data analysis method. The course will culminate in a well-developed idea for a doctoral capstone project (acceptable to the Doctoral Capstone Design instructor and doctoral capstone mentor).
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 8002 Occupational Therapy Doctoral Project Design 4.0 Credits
This doctoral course focuses on developing a formal occupational therapy capstone project proposal. Learners gain experience utilizing tools to identify the criteria for submitting project proposals to the Institutional Review Board and submitting documentation as required. Emphasis is placed on ethical research and program development practices, identifying and creating appropriate project outcome measurements, and aligning project plans with feasibility timelines. Students should take this course to strengthen project planning skills and ensure readiness for successful capstone implementation. This online course is offered in the spring semester.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 8031 Doctoral Capstone Project 1.0 Credit
This capstone course supports implementation and completion of the doctoral capstone project under faculty mentorship. Learners refine project components, manage timelines, analyze outcomes, and prepare a final presentation and manuscript. Emphasis is placed on professional communication, problem-solving, and translating evidence into practice. Students should take this course to demonstrate advanced competency, leadership, and scholarly contribution within a focused area of practice. This credit/no credit course is repeated until the student successfully completes and defends their capstone project. This online course is offered every semester.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 8032 Doctoral Capstone Project Advisement 1 1.0 Credit
This course provides individualized mentorship to students through the conclusion of the Doctoral Capstone Project process, adding personalized and specialized guidance to their experience from a knowledgeable mentor in the student's chosen specialty area and from the Doctoral Capstone Project course instructors. The course is structured to individually support each student through data collection, analysis, and conclusion parts of the capstone research process. This course is not included in the required 30-credit course OTD program. This course is an additional course for students who desire a second attempt to complete the Doctoral Capstone Project and complete the OTD program.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 8033 Doctoral Capstone Thesis and Defense 0.0 Credits
The content emphasis for this course will focus on presenting an overview of a doctoral capstone project (completed in doctoral capstone design/project/advisement) and submitting a written manuscript and slide deck.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
OTD 8501 Understanding Visual Deficits and Their Relationship to Occupation 3.0 Credits
This course provides foundational knowledge of visual anatomy, physiology, and models of vision as they relate to occupational performance. Learners examine the prevalence and impact of visual deficits in pediatric and acquired brain injury populations. Emphasis is placed on interpreting research and linking vision to participation in daily activities. Students take this course to strengthen clinical reasoning and improve intervention planning for individuals with visual challenges.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit