Doctor of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level (CUAA)

Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). You will be prepared to work in hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and many other locations throughout the community.

Mission

The Concordia University Ann Arbor Occupational Therapy Program prepares clinicians who are passionately committed to recognizing the dignity of all human beings through participation in valued occupations, resilient and creative problem solvers prepared to rise to the challenges of a changing world.

Vision

Graduates of the Concordia University Ann Arbor Occupational Therapy Program will be consistently recognized as highly compassionate professionals with the skills to empower effective change in individuals, communities, and in health care.

Highlights

The CUAA OT program is designed to prepare graduates to excel within the complexities of both traditional and emerging practice areas.

  • 28 students per cohort
  • 109 credits/3 years of study for post-baccalaureate applicants
  • Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (BSRS) to OTD format for incoming freshman allows completion of bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in 4.75 years total
  • Program threads include occupation as a centering concept, spirituality as a lens through which we view the client, professional identity as the foundation of who we are as practitioners, deliberate practice and advocacy as primary tools for addressing occupational performance, and an innovative, engaged, and transformative curriculum design
  • Hybrid program delivery combines structured online learning with hands-on practice both in the classroom and in the community
  • State-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and simulation center
  • Twenty-four weeks of full time fieldwork experiences are designed to ensure students achieve the entry-level generalist competencies of the occupational therapy profession
  • Fourteen week individualized capstone project and experience allow students to gain an in-depth exposure to one or more areas of practice

Accreditation

Please refer to the program website for up-to-date accreditation status as several actions are anticipated throughout the 2024/25 academic year.

The Concordia University Ann Arbor entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status 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.

Licensure/Certifications

The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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 in order 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.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates of the Concordia University Ann Arbor Program will:

  1. Recognize the unique spiritual aspect of every individual’s occupational roles, routines, and activities.
  2. Extend Christian empathy, compassion and dignity based on a reverent view of the unique occupational nature of all human beings.
  3. Cultivate the professional identity of an occupational therapist based on reflection and positive self-management skills, consistently responding with sound ethical decision making.
  4. Provide culturally responsive and individualized occupational therapy services.
  5. Address health and participation disparities among diverse communities and populations.
  6. Effectively combine principles of science & medicine, interpersonal interaction, teaching & learning, environmental/technology studies, and occupational science to meet the holistic needs of individuals, groups, and communities.
  7. Apply advanced clinical reasoning and creative problem solving to empower others to overcome occupational barriers.
  8. Demonstrate a desire for inquiry and a commitment to lifelong learning.
  9. Articulate and advocate for the distinct value of occupational therapy when working as part of an interdisciplinary team.
  10. Complete thorough and timely documentation of occupational therapy services to communicate treatment plan/results and facilitate reimbursement of services.
  11. Select, analyze, and utilize evidence-based practice as an integral part of clinical decision making.
  12. Contribute to the body of knowledge of occupational therapy through completion of a relevant research study and capstone project.

Curriculum

OT 6121Integration & Practice I1
OT 6122Occupation as Meaning2
OT 6123Foundations of an OT Professional2
OT 6124OT Process2
OT 6125Scientific Inquiry in OT: Evidence-based Practice1
OT 6211Integration & Practice II1
OT 6212Anatomical Structures Underlying Occupational Performance4
OT 6213Lifespan Perspective of Occupation2
OT 6214Occupational Analysis2
OT 6219Introduction to Capstone1
OT 6221Integration & Practice III1
OT 6222Assessment of Person Factors2
OT 6223Assessment of Occupational Roles2
OT 6311Integration & Practice IV1
OT 6312Healthcare Continuums2
OT 6313Neuroanatomy, Learning & Behavior's Role in Occupation2
OT 6314Preparatory Intervention Strategies3
OT 6321Integration & Practice V1
OT 6322Motor Learning2
OT 6323Psychosocial & Emotional Aspects of Occupation3
OT 6325Scientific Inquiry in OT: Quantitative Design2
OT 7111Integration & Practice VI1
OT 7112Occupation-Centered Practice for Children I3
OT 7113Spirituality & Occupation2
OT 7121Integration & Practice VII1
OT 7122Occupation-Centered Practice for Children II3
OT 7123The Intentional Practitioner2
OT 7125Scientific Inquiry in OT: Qualitative Design2
OT 7211Integration & Practice VIII1
OT 7212Occupation-Centered Practice for Adults I3
OT 7213Wellness & Population Health2
OT 7214Environment & Occupation2
OT 7221Integration & Practice IX1
OT 7222Occupation-Centered Practice for Adults II3
OT 7225Scientific Inquiry in OT: Applied Research3
OT 7311Integration & Practice X1
OT 7312Community-Based Intervention2
OT 7313Case-based Critical Reasoning & Practice3
OT 7314Innovation in Intervention2
OT 7321Integration & Practice XI1
OT 7322Professional Roles & Responsibilities2
OT 7323Specialty Topics in OT2
OT 7325Scientific Inquiry in OT: Dissemination & Translation2
OT 7329Capstone Proposal1
OT 8111Fieldwork Level IIA6
OT 8122Advanced Occupation-based Assessment & Treatment2
OT 8129Capstone Plan & Process I1
OT 8211Fieldwork Level IIB6
OT 8222Communication & Advocacy for Strategic Change2
OT 8229Capstone Plan & Process II1
OT 9319Experiential Capstone6
OT 9329Capstone Dissemination1
Total Hours109

Program Admission

The Concordia University Ann Arbor Occupational Therapy Program (CUAA OTD) will accept a maximum of 28 students annually.

We anticipate two groups of applicants:

  • CUAA Accelerated BSRS-OTD students 
  • Post-baccalaureate students

Admission Requirements

  1. Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA recommended.
  2. C or higher in the following prerequisites:
    • Minimum 6 credits (8 preferred) of Human A&P with a lab component in every course from a Biology, Anatomy, or Physiology department
    • 1 credit of Medical Terminology
    • 3 credits Statistics 
    • 3 credits Lifespan/Development course 
    • 3 credits Abnormal Psychology 
    • 3 credits Multicultural/Diversity themed course 
  3. CUAA Accelerated BSRS-OTD students will apply during the Fall of their sophomore year. For others, at least four of the six prerequisite courses must be complete at time of application with a documented plan for completion of all prerequisites. Post baccalaureate students must have a bachelor’s degree completed from an accredited institution prior to the start of the OTD program.
  4. Three letters of recommendation addressing potential for success both academically and as an occupational therapist, giving specific details about the applicant.
  5. Shadowing of an occupational therapy professional is encouraged but not required. Students should be familiar with the profession of occupational therapy and the types of populations that OT serves.  This can be completed through online research, readings, an Introduction to OT course at another university, or personal experience. Volunteer or work experience with diverse populations representative of those who may receive OT services (i.e., pediatric, geriatric, homeless, disabled, underserved, etc.) assists with development of leadership and service skills and will strengthen a candidate’s application. 
  6. Personal statement addressing why you selected occupational therapy as a career and how this degree relates to your professional goals.
  7. Transcripts from all college/universities attended.
  8. To assure the health and safety of the student and clients with whom they work, applicants must have the ability to perform essential functions of an occupational therapy graduate student.
  9. International applicants who would attend on a student visa and whose native language is not English must demonstrate competent user status via Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT; minimum total score of 89) or Cambridge Assessment English (Cambridge English Scale; minimum overall score of 185).
  10. Pre-requisite coursework must have been completed at a regionally accredited institution.
  11. A holistic admission process will be utilized.  In addition to the above requirements, participation and leadership in extracurricular activities, work, research or other pursuits is encouraged.  An interview will be required for all selected applicants, including CUAA BSRS students with early assurance admission. The OT Admissions Committee within the Occupational Therapy Department will make decisions regarding the status of an application after reviewing application materials. Decisions of the committee are final.
  12. Once accepted to the program, applicants must successfully pass a background check, provide immunization and health screening, and complete CPR training prior to the start of the program

Note:  The program does not accept occupational therapy transfer students or credits.

Note: Due to the hybrid and accelerated nature of the program, students in the Occupational Therapy Program do not participate in the Fall/Spring 6th Friday break.

Technology Requirements

Because of the hybrid nature of the program, students are required to ensure access to a personal computer with camera and internet access at their own expense throughout the course of the program. View minimum recommended technology requirements at /graduate/university/tech-reqs/.

Applying

All applicants to the Concordia University Ann Arbor Occupational Therapy Program will utilize the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). The application process will open mid-July of the year prior to admission and close June 1.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Hours
OT 6121 Integration & Practice I 1
OT 6122 Occupation as Meaning 2
OT 6123 Foundations of an OT Professional 2
OT 6124 OT Process 2
OT 6125 Scientific Inquiry in OT: Evidence-based Practice 1
 Hours8
Semester 2
OT 6211 Integration & Practice II 1
OT 6212 Anatomical Structures Underlying Occupational Performance 4
OT 6213 Lifespan Perspective of Occupation 2
OT 6214 Occupational Analysis 2
OT 6219 Introduction to Capstone 1
OT 6221 Integration & Practice III 1
OT 6222 Assessment of Person Factors 2
OT 6223 Assessment of Occupational Roles 2
 Hours15
Semester 3
OT 6311 Integration & Practice IV 1
OT 6312 Healthcare Continuums 2
OT 6313 Neuroanatomy, Learning & Behavior's Role in Occupation 2
OT 6314 Preparatory Intervention Strategies 3
OT 6321 Integration & Practice V 1
OT 6322 Motor Learning 2
OT 6323 Psychosocial & Emotional Aspects of Occupation 3
OT 6325 Scientific Inquiry in OT: Quantitative Design 2
 Hours16
Semester 4
OT 7111 Integration & Practice VI 1
OT 7112 Occupation-Centered Practice for Children I 3
OT 7113 Spirituality & Occupation 2
OT 7121 Integration & Practice VII 1
OT 7122 Occupation-Centered Practice for Children II 3
OT 7123 The Intentional Practitioner 2
OT 7125 Scientific Inquiry in OT: Qualitative Design 2
 Hours14
Semester 5
OT 7211 Integration & Practice VIII 1
OT 7212 Occupation-Centered Practice for Adults I 3
OT 7213 Wellness & Population Health 2
OT 7214 Environment & Occupation 2
OT 7221 Integration & Practice IX 1
OT 7222 Occupation-Centered Practice for Adults II 3
OT 7225 Scientific Inquiry in OT: Applied Research 3
 Hours15
Semester 6
OT 7311 Integration & Practice X 1
OT 7312 Community-Based Intervention 2
OT 7313 Case-based Critical Reasoning & Practice 3
OT 7314 Innovation in Intervention 2
OT 7329 Capstone Proposal 1
OT 7321 Integration & Practice XI 1
OT 7322 Professional Roles & Responsibilities 2
OT 7323 Specialty Topics in OT 2
OT 7325 Scientific Inquiry in OT: Dissemination & Translation 2
OT 8129 Capstone Plan & Process I 1
 Hours17
Semester 7
OT 8111 Fieldwork Level IIA 6
OT 8122 Advanced Occupation-based Assessment & Treatment 2
 Hours8
Semester 8
OT 8211 Fieldwork Level IIB 6
OT 8222 Communication & Advocacy for Strategic Change 2
OT 8229 Capstone Plan & Process II 1
 Hours9
Semester 9
OT 9319 Experiential Capstone 6
OT 9329 Capstone Dissemination 1
 Hours7
 Total Hours109

Course options and schedule are subject to change.