Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Graduate
Graduate Admissions Pathway
The Graduate Admissions Pathway requires that a candidate has complete all requirements outlined in the admissions process. A GAP applicant will have completed three years of college coursework. A 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) minimum cumulative GPA is required, as is a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) pre-requisite GPA. The admission criterion outlines additional requirements. The GAP utilizes the OTCAS system for admissions. Open spots will be determined based on the number of Integrated Admission Pathway students who qualify to enter OTD1.
While CSM is a women’s college, men are welcome to apply for the traditional admissions pathway via OTCAS system for admissions.
Plan of Study - Graduate Pathway
|
Program Semester |
Curriculum Phase |
Total Course Credits |
|
Year 1 Fall Semester |
Intro to profession and occupational therapy evaluation
|
20 |
|
Year 1 Spring Semester |
Occupational therapy evaluation and intervention |
16, Level 1A Fieldwork
|
|
Year 1 Summer Semester |
Occupational therapy intervention |
12, Level 1B Fieldwork
|
|
Year 2 Fall Semester |
Occupational therapy intervention |
19, Level 1C Fieldwork
|
|
Year 2 Spring Semester |
Occupational therapy intervention and outcomes |
14, Level IIA Fieldwork – 12 weeks
|
|
Year 2 Summer |
Occupational therapy outcomes |
9 (one elective course optional for total of 12 credits)
|
|
Year 3 Fall |
Occupational therapy outcomes |
9, Level IIB Fieldwork – 12 weeks
|
|
Year 3 Spring |
Advancing occupational therapy |
8, Doctoral Capstone Experience rotations – 14 weeks
|
|
|
|
Total Credits – 107 (110 with elective) |
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
For information about graduate classes, see the college graduate catalog.
Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapist, administered by the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, you will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice. State licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination, attain state licensure or complete fieldwork.
Accreditation
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be 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 individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
Admission Requirements
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Minimum prerequisite course GPA 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- 3 years of equivalent college coursework.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- A grade of C or better on all courses is required.
- Completion of 100 service hours.
- Resume or CV.
- Letter of Intent.
- Ability to comply with the CSM OTD Program Technical Standards
- All courses need to be completed with a C or above.
- Anatomy and physiology I
- Anatomy and physiology I Lab
- Anatomy and physiology II
- Anatomy and physiology II Lab
- Abnormal Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Statistics
- Research Methods
- Medical Terminology
-
No more than six (6) prerequisite credit hours may remain at the time of application. The applicant must complete all prerequisite coursework prior to the start of OTD courses. The applicant must have taken all prerequisite courses within five years prior to application.
-
Completion of the following recommended coursework provides a competitive advantage to an application:
- Sociology/Anthropology
- Ethics
- Kinesiology
- Pathophysiology
- Public Speaking or Oral Communication
- Global or Cultural Diversity course
- Pre-Health Professions course
Graduate Pathway Admissions Decisions
- Academic performance and documented aptitude (GPA and completed courses).
- Leadership and service activities.
- Health care and/or clinical experiences (shadowing, volunteering, etc.).
- Recommendations from qualified individuals with knowledge of the applicant’s character and performance.
- Communication and interpersonal skills (via resume, essay, interview and review of letters of reference).
OTCAS Application Process
- Post-baccalaureate candidates apply using the Central Application Service for Occupational Therapy (OTCAS)
Complete files are prepared for review by the OTD Admissions Committee and students will be notified of their interview status.
Academic Description
Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Graduate
Graduate Admissions Pathway
The Graduate Admissions Pathway requires that a candidate has complete all requirements outlined in the admissions process. A GAP applicant will have completed three years of college coursework. A 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) minimum cumulative GPA is required, as is a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) pre-requisite GPA. The admission criterion outlines additional requirements. The GAP utilizes the OTCAS system for admissions. Open spots will be determined based on the number of Integrated Admission Pathway students who qualify to enter OTD1.
While CSM is a women’s college, men are welcome to apply for the traditional admissions pathway via OTCAS system for admissions.
Accreditation
Accreditation
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be 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 individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
Admissions Requirements
Admission Requirements
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Minimum prerequisite course GPA 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- 3 years of equivalent college coursework.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- A grade of C or better on all courses is required.
- Completion of 100 service hours.
- Resume or CV.
- Letter of Intent.
- Ability to comply with the CSM OTD Program Technical Standards
- All courses need to be completed with a C or above.
- Anatomy and physiology I
- Anatomy and physiology I Lab
- Anatomy and physiology II
- Anatomy and physiology II Lab
- Abnormal Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Statistics
- Research Methods
- Medical Terminology
-
No more than six (6) prerequisite credit hours may remain at the time of application. The applicant must complete all prerequisite coursework prior to the start of OTD courses. The applicant must have taken all prerequisite courses within five years prior to application.
-
Completion of the following recommended coursework provides a competitive advantage to an application:
- Sociology/Anthropology
- Ethics
- Kinesiology
- Pathophysiology
- Public Speaking or Oral Communication
- Global or Cultural Diversity course
- Pre-Health Professions course
Graduate Pathway Admissions Decisions
- Academic performance and documented aptitude (GPA and completed courses).
- Leadership and service activities.
- Health care and/or clinical experiences (shadowing, volunteering, etc.).
- Recommendations from qualified individuals with knowledge of the applicant’s character and performance.
- Communication and interpersonal skills (via resume, essay, interview and review of letters of reference).
OTCAS Application Process
- Post-baccalaureate candidates apply using the Central Application Service for Occupational Therapy (OTCAS)
Complete files are prepared for review by the OTD Admissions Committee and students will be notified of their interview status.
Curriculum
Plan of Study - Graduate Pathway
|
Program Semester |
Curriculum Phase |
Total Course Credits |
|
Year 1 Fall Semester |
Intro to profession and occupational therapy evaluation
|
20 |
|
Year 1 Spring Semester |
Occupational therapy evaluation and intervention |
16, Level 1A Fieldwork
|
|
Year 1 Summer Semester |
Occupational therapy intervention |
12, Level 1B Fieldwork
|
|
Year 2 Fall Semester |
Occupational therapy intervention |
19, Level 1C Fieldwork
|
|
Year 2 Spring Semester |
Occupational therapy intervention and outcomes |
14, Level IIA Fieldwork – 12 weeks
|
|
Year 2 Summer |
Occupational therapy outcomes |
9 (one elective course optional for total of 12 credits)
|
|
Year 3 Fall |
Occupational therapy outcomes |
9, Level IIB Fieldwork – 12 weeks
|
|
Year 3 Spring |
Advancing occupational therapy |
8, Doctoral Capstone Experience rotations – 14 weeks
|
|
|
|
Total Credits – 107 (110 with elective) |
Degree Requirements
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
For information about graduate classes, see the college graduate catalog.
Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapist, administered by the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, you will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice. State licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination, attain state licensure or complete fieldwork.
