Doctorate of Occupational Therapy

Spalding University’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program in the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy (ASOT) prepares students to meet the needs of the times with compassionate action based upon best rehabilitation principles and evidence-based practice through community outreach, service, and research. The OTD offers students the opportunity to advance their preparation and application of in-depth knowledge in practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and the application of theory.

Entry-level OTD

Spalding University offers the first fully accredited entry-level OTD program in the state of Kentucky, and it is accessible to any student with a bachelor’s degree in any field.

• 3 years (36 months)
• 9 trimesters
• 110 credit hours (84 didactic hours and 26 clinical hours)
• 35 students per cohort

Post-Professional OTD

This post-professional degree is designed for licensed occupational therapy practitioners who are looking to progress to the doctoral level and is offered exclusively online.

• 30 credit hours
• Online format
• 4 trimesters + self-directed capstone

About ASOT

Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy (ASOT)

Spalding University’s Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy (ASOT) prepares students to meet the needs of the times with compassionate action based upon best rehabilitation principles and evidence-based practice through community outreach, service, and research.

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy

Entry-level graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate is credentialed to use the title of Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. In order to be eligible to sit for the NBCOT examination, and become licensed in the state, an individual must hold at least a Master’s degree from an ACOTE accredited occupational therapy program.

Trimester 1

• Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy: Meeting Society’s Occupational Needs
• Application of Research Evidence in Practice
• Human Anatomy Correlates for Occupational Therapy
• Ethical Decision-Making in Occupational Therapy

Trimester 2

• Neuroscience Foundations for Occupational Therapy Practice
• Movement in Occupations
• Occupations in Life: A Theoretical and Applied Perspective
• Research and Implementing Evidence into Practice

Trimester 3

• Evaluation, Intervention & Outcomes Work, Industry, and Orthopedic Practice
• Work, Industry & Orthopedic Level I Fieldwork
• Evaluation, Intervention & Outcomes Rehabilitation Practice
• Rehabilitation and Disability Level I Fieldwork

Trimester 4

• Evaluation, Intervention, & Outcomes Mental Health Practice
• Psychosocial Level I Fieldwork
• Evaluation, Intervention, & Outcomes Children and Youth
• Children and Youth Level I Fieldwork

Trimester 5

• Diagnosing Occupational Performance and Participation Problems within Varied Service Delivery Contexts
• Evaluation, Intervention & Outcomes Productive Aging
• Elder Mentor Project
• Evaluation, Intervention & Outcomes Special Topics Beyond Generalist

Trimesters 6 & 7

• Competency Measures and Capstone Application
• Level II A Fieldwork
• Level II B Fieldwork

Trimester 8

• Management and delivery of OT Services within Complex Healthcare Systems
• Occupational Therapy Leadership and Advocacy
• Synthesizing Occupational Therapy Research, Education & Practice

Trimester 9

• Occupational Therapy Capstone

Features of Entry-Level OTD

With your entry-level OTD, you’ll be able to do the following:

• Become a skilled decision-maker as you progress through the program and gain a deeper understanding of occupational therapy.
• Engage with your peers and interact with the on-campus teaching clinic enTECH and experience the Kosair for Kids’ virtual immersive playground.
• Enhance your understanding of societal needs through practice-based scholarship and research.
• Benefit from on-site deep physical agent modality (DPAM) specialty certification courses that take place throughout the year.
• Enjoy everything downtown Louisville has to offer, including access to a thriving health care community. Learn more about Louisville.

Facts

• We’re the first entry-level OTD program in the state of Kentucky.
• Over 96% of our school’s graduates are employed within six months of graduation.
• Our national board certification pass rate for the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy has
• been 95% or higher over the past five years.

Features of Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Our faculty of doctorally-prepared experts specialize in a variety of fields, including upper extremity rehabilitation, tele-health, pediatric oncology and autism spectrum disorder. You’ll work closely with your faculty mentors to customize your program of study, fieldwork and capstone to your professional interests.

As a practitioner and doctoral student, you’ll be setup for success. You’ll take one online course per trimester (13 weeks), allowing you to dedicate yourself to your studies without sacrificing your career. We’ll guide you through the program with a unit-by-unit breakdown of course content. Your online learning will be robust and engaging:

• Engage in instructor-led discussions.
• Interact with other students virtually.
• Have access to resources, including audio and video materials.
• Enhance your learning and test your knowledge with online readings and quizzes.

Program Highlights

• Begin your OTD program at the start of any trimester throughout the academic year
• Engage in active inquiry, critical thinking, and reflective practice
• Enhance your professional goals and excite your interests with a self-directed, evidence-based practice capstone

As an OTD, you can serve in a wide range of practice settings:

• hospitals
• community agencies
• ambulatory healthcare centers
• independent living center
• public and private schools
• rehabilitation centers
• skilled nursing facilities
• education