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

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

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 7329	Capstone Proposal	1
OT 8111	Fieldwork Level IIA	6
OT 8122	Advanced Occupation-based Assessment & Treatment	2
OT 8129	Capstone Plan & Process I	1
OT 8211	Fieldwork Level IIB	6
OT 8222	Communication & Advocacy for Strategic Change	2
OT 8229	Capstone Plan & Process II	1
OT 9319	Experiential Capstone	6
OT 9329	Capstone Dissemination	1
Total Hours		109

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 (iBT TOEFL; minimum score of 79) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System; minimum score of 6.5). 
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.

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.