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
- 102 credits/30 months of study for post-baccalaureate applicants
- 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 is fully 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) 652-6611 and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
Licensure/Certifications
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
By fulfilling all of the course requirements for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level (CUAA), students will be able to:
- Recognize the unique spiritual aspect of every individual’s occupational roles, routines, and activities.
- Extend Christian empathy, compassion and dignity based on a reverent view of the unique occupational nature of all human beings.
- Cultivate the professional identity of an occupational therapist based on reflection and positive self-management skills, consistently responding with sound ethical decision making.
- Provide culturally responsive and individualized occupational therapy services.
- Address health and participation disparities among diverse communities and populations.
- 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.
- Apply advanced clinical reasoning and creative problem solving to empower others to overcome occupational barriers.
- Demonstrate a desire for inquiry and a commitment to lifelong learning.
- Articulate and advocate for the distinct value of occupational therapy when working as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- Complete thorough and timely documentation of occupational therapy services to communicate treatment plan/results and facilitate reimbursement of services.
- Integrate research evidence, clinical expertise, and client values through evidence-informed practice as an integral part of clinical decision making.
- Contribute to the body of knowledge of occupational therapy through completion of a relevant research study and capstone project.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| OT 6011 | Foundation of Grad Study in OT | 2 |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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 7111 | Integration & Practice VI | 1 |
| OT 7112 | Occupation-Centered Practice for Children I | 3 |
| OT 6425 | Scientific Inquiry in OT: Research Design | 2 |
| OT 7113 | Spirituality & Occupation | 2 |
| OT 7121 | Integration & Practice VII | 1 |
| OT 7122 | Occupation-Centered Practice for Children II | 3 |
| 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 7222 | Occupation-Centered Practice for Adults II | 3 |
| OT 7225 | Scientific Inquiry in OT: Applied Research | 3 |
| OT 7312 | Community-based Intervention | 2 |
| OT 7313 | Case-based Critical Reasoning & Practice | 3 |
| OT 7314 | Innovation in Intervention | 2 |
| 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 | 105 | |
Program Admission
The Concordia University Ann Arbor Occupational Therapy Program (CUAA OTD) will accept a maximum of 28 students annually utilizing a rolling, holistic admission process.
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA recommended.
- 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
- 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.
- Three letters of recommendation written by individuals who are familiar with the applicant's academic performance, work ethic, and potential for success in a graduate-level occupational therapy program. Recommended evaluators include faculty members, licensed occupational therapy practitioners (or other rehabilitation professionals), or supervisors from relevant work, volunteer, or clinical experiences.
- 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.
- Personal statement addressing why you selected occupational therapy as a career and how this degree relates to your professional goals.
- Transcripts from all college/universities attended.
- 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.
- 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).
- Pre-requisite coursework must have been completed at a regionally accredited institution.
- 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 those from partnering institutions 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.
- Once accepted to the program, applicants must successfully pass a background check, provide immunization and health screening, and complete CPR training.
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
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| OT 6122 | Occupation as Meaning (8-week Session 2) | 2 |
| OT 6011 Foundations of Grad Study in OT | 2 | |
| OT 6125 Scientific Inquiry in OT:Evidence-based Practice | 2 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| OT 6121 | Integration & Practice I (8-week Session I) | 1 |
| OT 6212 | Anatomical Structures Underlying Occupational Performance | 4 |
| OT 6123 | Foundations of an OT Professional (8-week Session I) | 2 |
| OT 6124 | OT Process (8-week Session I) | 2 |
| OT 6211 | Integration & Practice II (8-week Session 2) | 1 |
| OT 6214 | Occupational Analysis (8-week Session 2) | 2 |
| OT 6223 | Assessment of Occupational Roles (8-week Session 2) | 2 |
| OT 7213 | Wellness & Population Health (8-week Session 2) | 2 |
| OT 6213 | Lifespan Perspective of Occupation (8-week Session 2) | 2 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| OT 6221 | Integration & Practice III (8-week Session I) | 1 |
| OT 6222 | Assessment of Person Factors (8-week Session I) | 2 |
| OT 6323 | Psychosocial & Emotional Aspects of Occupation (8-week Session I) | 3 |
| OT 6322 | Motor Learning (8-week Session I) | 2 |
| OT 6313 | Neuroanatomy, Learning & Behavior's Role in Occupation (8-week Session I) | 2 |
| OT 6311 | Integration & Practice IV (8-week Session 2) | 1 |
| OT 6314 | Preparatory Intervention Strategies (8-week Session 2) | 3 |
| OT 7112 | Occupation-Centered Practice for Children I (8-week Session 2) | 3 |
| OT 6425 | Scientific Inquiry in OT: Research Design (8-week Session 2) | 2 |
| OT 6219 | Introduction to Capstone (8-week Session 2) | 1 |
| Hours | 20 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| OT 6321 | Integration & Practice V (8-week Session I) | 1 |
| OT 7225 | Scientific Inquiry in OT: Applied Research (8-week Session I) | 3 |
| OT 7122 | Occupation-Centered Practice for Children II (8-week Session I) | 3 |
| OT 7312 | Community-Based Intervention (8-week Session I) | 2 |
| OT 7329 | Capstone Proposal (8-week Session I) | 1 |
| OT 7111 | Integration & Practice VI (6-week Session 2) | 1 |
| OT 7212 | Occupation-Centered Practice for Adults I (6-week Session 2) | 3 |
| OT 6312 | Healthcare Continuums (6-week Session 2) | 2 |
| OT 8129 | Capstone Plan & Process I (6-week Session 2) | 1 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| OT 7121 | Integration & Practice VII (8-week Session I) | 1 |
| OT 7222 | Occupation-Centered Practice for Adults II (8-week Session I) | 3 |
| OT 7214 | Environment & Occupation (8-week Session I) | 2 |
| OT 7325 | Scientific Inquiry in OT: Dissemination & Translation (8-week Session I) | 2 |
| OT 7113 | Spirituality & Occupation (8-week Session I) | 2 |
| OT 7211 | Integration & Practice VIII (8-week Session 2) | 1 |
| OT 7313 | Case-based Critical Reasoning & Practice (8-week Session 2) | 3 |
| OT 7314 | Innovation in Intervention (8-week Session 2) | 2 |
| OT 7322 | Professional Roles & Responsibilities (8-week Session 2) | 2 |
| OT 7323 | Specialty Topics in OT (8-week Session 2) | 2 |
| Hours | 20 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| OT 8111 | Fieldwork Level IIA | 6 |
| OT 8122 | Advanced Occupation-based Assessment & Treatment (8-week Session 2) | 2 |
| OT 8229 | Capstone Plan & Process II (8-week Session 2) | 1 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| OT 8211 | Fieldwork Level IIB | 6 |
| OT 8222 | Communication & Advocacy for Strategic Change (6-week Session 2) | 2 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| OT 9319 | Experiential Capstone | 6 |
| OT 9329 | Capstone Dissemination (8-week Session 2) | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 105 | |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.