Occupational Therapy Doctorate

1. Tamerill Faison, OTD, MS, OTR/L
2. Samantha Painter, MSOT, OTR/L
3. Josue Rosario-Caliz, EdD

Year 1

Fall Semester (15 Semester Hours)

OTD 532 OT Foundational Knowledge & Practice (4)
OTD 534 Neuroscience for Rehabilitation (3)
OTD 536 Population Health and Occ Justice (2)
OTD 537 Research I - Qual and Quant Methods (3)
OTD 538 Healthcare Ethics, Policy and Advocacy (3)

Spring Semester (15.5 Semester Hours)

OTD 542 Immersive I - Mental Health (4)
OTD 543 Cognition Across the Lifespan (2)
OTD 544 Vision Across the Lifespan (2)
OTD 546 Research II – Mix Methods and Stats (3)
OTD 548 Clinical Med and Pharmacology (3)
OTD 549 Interprofessional Healthcare Engagement (1)
OTD 545 Fieldwork Level 1A – Mental Health (.5)

Summer Semester (10.5 Semester Hours)

OTD 551 Immersive II - Physical Rehabilitation (3)
OTD 552 Anatomy and Biomechanics (3)
OTD 553 UE Evaluation and Intervention (2)
OTD 555 Capstone Planning I (1)
OTD 554 Fieldwork Level 1B – Physical Rehab (.5)

Year 2

Fall Semester (13.5 Semester Hours)

OTD 601 Immersive III – Pediatrics and Youth (4)
OTD 602 OT School Based Practice (2) 
OTD 603 Neuro Rehabilitation (3)
OTD 605 Assistive Technology (2)
OTD 608 Capstone Planning II (2) 
OTD 611 Fieldwork Level 1C – Pediatrics (.5)

Spring Semester (12.5 Semester Hours

OTD 621 Leadership and Management (3)
OTD 623   Aging and Wellness (3)
OTD 625 Qualitative Improv Through Translational Sciences (2)
OTD 627 Buss Planning & Development in OT Practice (3)
OTD 628 Capstone Planning III (1)
OTD 612Level 1D Emerging Area (.5)

Summer Semester (9 Semester Hours)

OTD 631 Advanced Practice in OT: Border & Barriers (3)
OTD 633 Instructional Design, Strategies & Delivery Methods (3)
OTD 635 Capstone Planning IV - (2)
OTD 638 Professional Seminar – (1)

Year 3

Fall Semester (9 Semester Hours)

OTD 642 Capstone Planning V (1)
OTD 650 Level II A Fieldwork (8)

Spring Semester (9 Semester Hours

OTD 700 Doctoral Experience Prep Seminar (1) 
OTD 660 Level II A Fieldwork (8)

Summer Semester (10 Semester Hours)

OTD 721 Capstone Presentation (1)
OTD 720 Doctoral Rotation (9)

Admission into the OTD program at NDMU is competitive. Students are considered for admission with the following:

• Bachelor's degree - minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale)
• Completion of prerequisite courses
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Human service observation hours
• Personal statement
• Resume
• Interview

Note: All observational hours need to be completed within the past two years.

Prerequisites

Completion of the following prerequisite courses within the past 5 years with a minimum cumulative grade point average of B (3.0 based on 4.0) is required for admission into the OTD program. Transcripts of bachelor’s degree and completed prerequisite courses must be submitted. Courses may be taken online or in person from an accredited institution.

NOTE: Students may have a maximum of 2 prerequisite courses with a grade of C (as long as their cumulative grade point average is 3.0 across all prerequisites).

Required Courses & Credits

• Human Anatomy & Physiology I Course and Lab (4)
• Human Anatomy & Physiology II Course and Lab (4)
• College Writing (3)
• Basic Statistics (3)
• Introductory Psychology (3)
• Psychopathology OR Abnormal Psychology (3)
• Human Growth & Development or Developmental Psychology Across Life Span (3)
• Introductory Sociology (3)
• Medical Terminology (3)
• Neuroscience or Cognitive Psychology or Brain and Behavior (3)

Total Credits: 32

NOTE: Advanced Placement (AP) credits are not accepted as fulfillment of prerequisite courses. Course credits from other occupational therapy programs are not accepted.

Letters of Recommendations

Provide three letters of recommendation, from individuals who have taught the applicant in an academic setting. Letters of recommendation should address academic, professional and personal attributes, and potential for successful graduate education.

Human Service Observation

Applicants are required to complete thirty (30) hours of observation. Three practice area and settings are required, one with 10 hours and two with 10 hours each. All observational hours need to be completed within the past three years.

• Ten (10) hours in the practice area that you intend to pursue after graduation and must be done under the direction of an Occupational therapist.
• One additional observation must be done with an OTR.
• The third observation may come from work experience where you worked with populations with a disability, including geriatrics, pediatrics, day camps, mental/behavioral health, etc., for example.

NOTE: Your essay should be reflective of your insights and experiences gained from these observations. All hours must be completed prior to admission into the program.

Personal Statement

A personal statement should cover your interest in occupational therapy with emphasis on the practice area that you intend to pursue after graduation, insights gained from the observations, your strengths, professional skills, personal attributes, and how these experiences have helped to shape your desire to become an occupational therapist. Required length is a minimum of 500 words to a maximum of 750 words.

Success in both the online and in-person portions of the program requires students to have the ability to navigate the institution’s learning management system (Canvas), manage electronic communications (email), utilize research and information databases, and install software.  Online courses will consist of a combination of scheduled synchronous and asynchronous learning activities; synchronous sessions will require use of the Zoom platform.  In-person courses will maximize the use of technology with no seat-time reduction, using the Canvas learning management system for administration, communication, assessment and content delivery to both supplement and enhance the face-to-face experience. Prior to starting coursework, all students will be required to complete an online orientation course through Canvas that will prepare them to meet the technology competency requirements of the online portions of the program.  Additionally, students will have ongoing access to the IT service desk to assist with managing questions or concerns related to required technologies while in the program. 

Estimated Costs: Doctorate in Occupational Therapy

The charts below contain estimates of direct costs for AY2023-24 for Maryland residents and out-of-state students for the Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program. Students should consult the University’s Business Office webpage for the most up-to-date tuition and fee rates.

Cost Estimate: Maryland Residents

* Beginning for AY2023-24, new applicants who are Maryland State residents at the time of application will automatically receive a $10,000 “Maryland Resident Scholarship” per year to help offset the cost of tuition for Maryland students.

Cost Estimate: Out-of-State Residents

Additional Notes

• Estimates do not include other direct or indirect costs which may include but are not limited to: room and board, transportation costs, personal expenses, health insurance, background checks, etc.
• The program total cost estimates above do not include annual tuition and fees increases. Tuition and fee rates are determined annually year by the Board of Trustees, and are subject to change.