Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)

Program Director: Allison Ellington
Director of Clinical Education: Megan Bailes
Capstone Coordinator: Elizabeth Richardson
Faculty: Emily Budd, Lisa Burns, Greg Hansen, Sarah McCadden

Overview

The Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) is a post-baccalaureate, professional doctoral degree that will prepare the student for work in any occupational therapy practice setting following graduation and license acquisition. The curriculum integrates the occupational therapy profession’s foundational knowledge requirements with basic theoretical tenets and perspectives, while supporting students to gain competency in key practice skills such as screening, evaluation, and delivery of evidence-based plans of care. The curriculum incorporates contemporary and emerging contexts associated with occupational therapy service delivery and emphasizes interprofessional education in class, lab, and community settings. Knowledge and skills gained in didactic courses are applied through numerous community-based learning experiences as well as Level 1 & 2 fieldwork experiences and the capstone process.

An OTD student must successfully complete each didactic year prior to progress to the fieldwork education course that follows. The total length of the program will be 100 credit hours, 2.5 years (eight semesters). The curriculum will include thee, short-term Level 1 fieldwork experiences, two, 12-week fieldwork experiences and one, 14-week Capstone Experience. Successful completion of both the Level 2 fieldwork experiences and capstone experience, as well as evidence of meeting the competencies for entry-level occupational therapy practice must be achieved in order to graduate.

OTD Program Vision Statement

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate program at Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences at Mary Baldwin University will provide dynamic and innovative, student-centered teaching and learning that develops practitioners who pioneer, practice, teach, and lead in a globally linked inter-disciplinary healthcare environment. The program will be a model for the Occupational Therapy profession. The graduates and faculty are committed to lifelong learning and demonstrate high levels of competence for and in the profession. The program, students, and faculty will be nationally and internationally recognized through its contributions to the profession and other entities, as well as be recognized regionally as an authority and primary source for occupational therapy information, education, and services related to occupation, health, and wellness.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Murphy Deming OTD program is to prepare compassionate graduates who will provide client-centered, occupation-focused, and evidence-based practice.  Our graduates will work collaboratively on interprofessional teams and provide supportive leadership at every opportunity.  Through ethical decision-making and with high standards of care, they will enhance engagement in meaningful, productive, and satisfying occupations for individuals and communities.

Program Philosophy

The MDCHS OT program is committed to student-centered teaching and learning experiences that innovatively address current and future occupational therapy practice needs for an ever-changing global environment.  Students learn the process of occupational therapy by exploring and applying principles of 1) client-centered and evidence-based occupational therapy practice that is based upon occupation and recognizes the influence and importance of culture, 2) teaching and learning theory, and 3) interprofessional practice.  The program seeks to develop graduates who will become lifelong learners, continually strive for excellence, and make substantial contributions to the improvement of the human condition. The MDCHS OT Philosophy statement is divided into beliefs about the human experience, health, occupational therapy, education and learning.

ACCREDITATION

The information below is current as of printing, however, our most current accreditation information can be found on our website: https://marybaldwin.edu/health-sciences/school-of-health-human-performance/doctor-of-occupational-therapy/accreditation-outcomes

ACOTE

Accredited Doctoral Degree Level Occupational Therapy Program

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 20825-4929. 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 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.

Process for Filing Complaints with ACOTE

The process for filing complaints has been established by ACOTE. The process is outlined in the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education Policy for Complaints Against Educational Program, Revised August 2016. Link to this information: http://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/EducationCareers/Accredit/Policies/Procedures/VB%20Complaints.pdf

Admission Requirements/Process for the Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program

All students must apply to the Occupation Therapy Program using OTCAS.

Application cycle and deadline dates will be published on the OT program website for each cycle.

There are two options for admission into the OTD program: junior admit; or graduate admit.

• The junior admit option is available to students who have completed three years of undergraduate work at Mary Baldwin University. Students applying for the junior admit option must have completed all general education requirements and major requirements before entering the OTD program. This includes completion of at least 90 credit hours. MBU students applying for the junior admit option must have achieved an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher throughout the first three academic years. MBU students who do not meet these criteria as a junior should consider applying as a graduate admit applicant.
• The graduate admit option is available to students with an earned bachelor’s degree from an MBU approved, regionally accredited institution before entering the Occupational Therapy program. Applicants may begin the application process during the application cycle before the conferral date of the bachelor’s degree. If accepted for admission, the applicant will be given conditional acceptance until proof of completion of the baccalaureate degree and program prerequisites are confirmed. If the applicant does not have the required baccalaureate degree and program prerequisites before the program start date, the status of conditional acceptance will be revoked.

Prerequisite Courses: (Must earn a “C” or better)

Prerequisite course work may be completed during the admission cycle. Please add planned courses in OTCAS transcript section. All of the listed prerequisite courses must be completed with a "C" or better before enrollment in the professional curriculum.

*Can be combined A/P for 8 credits.

For ALL applicants, the following admission criteria must be met prior to entering the professional phase of the program:

• GPA: A 3.0 overall GPA is preferred. Junior admit applicants must have achieved an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher throughout the first three academic years. We expect that most accepted students will surpass this minimum. In addition, all prerequisite courses must reflect a "C" or better.
• GRE: GRE scores are not required for admission. However, if you would like to submit your GRE scores, you are welcome to do so. The OTCAS GRE Code for Mary Baldwin University is 1992.
• Personal Essay: You will be required to submit a brief personal essay in OTCAS.
• Two Professional References: At least one reference must be from an occupational therapist
• OT Observation Hours: 40 hours are required in at least two different settings. Instructions on how to provide this information can be foud on the online application form.
• Interview: The Admissions Committee will send invitations to selected candidates to interview. Not all applicants will be invited to interview. An interview does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
• Official Transcripts: Official transcripts from your all post-secondary institutions must be sent to the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). If you are still taking prerequisite courses during the application cycle, please indicate these planned courses in your OTCAS application. Please note, however, that you will not be able to enroll in our program until your official transcript has been received verifying completion of these courses, that you have received a “C” or better, and that you still meet the minimum preferred GPA required.
• Language Proficiency: English proficiency is considered essential to providing quality patient care. Students for whom English is not their primary language, regardless of US citizenship, are required to submit their TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score with their application. The MBU school code is 5397. A minimum score is 570 (paper-based) or 88 (internet-based). A student may be exempted if they have graduated with a bachelor or graduate degree from a 4-year accredited US university.
• In addition to the OTCAS fee, a non-refudable supplemental fee of $45 is required. The Supplemental Application Fee is waived for Junior Admit students.

The Occupational Therapy Program

The Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program consists of 2.5 years of professional study over 8 consecutive semesters. Program courses begin in the fall semester. MBU students enrolled in the junior admit process will complete the requirements for the baccalaureate degree in Health Sciences or Exercise Science at the end of the first year of the OTD program.

Before registering for classes, students must provide:

• Criminal background checks (federal requirement for all persons working with vulnerable populations) at student expense.
• Signed Letter of Intent.
• Signed Technical Standards document.
• Written verification of immunizations at student expense.
• Written verification or proof of health insurance at student expense.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Health Care Providers certification from the American Heart Association at student expense.

After classes start, and in preparation for clinical placements, students must also provide:

• Any additional requirements as stated by specific health care agencies (such as drug screening, additional criminal background checks, etc.) at student expense.

Articulation Agreements: Occupational Therapy Program

The Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences OT program has established articulation agreements with partner institutions. Qualified currently enrolled applicants from these partner schools are guaranteed an interview with the OT program; certain highly qualified applicants may be offered guaranteed admission to the OT program. The details of the articulation agreement for each school can be obtained from the school’s liaison or the MDCHS admissions office. All students must apply through OTCAS. The MDCHS supplemental application fee is waived for qualified applicants from articulation agreement partners.

PROGRAM POLICIES

Grading, Student Standing, and Academic Probation for the PT, and Entry-Level OT Graduate Programs

The health sciences Entry-Level OT and PT graduate programs are full-time programs. Students will not be permitted to reduce the course load in a semester as the professional programs are sequential and require the student to complete them in a specific period of time. Any special circumstances related to course work for students will be addressed on a case-by- case basis with the Accessibility Services Program Coordinator, the program director, and the faculty.

Courses will be taken in semesters and assigned appropriate credit hours for contact time for lecture, lab, and clinical activities as appropriate. A course may be offered as a pass/fail grading option; however, students may not choose to take a regular, graded course for pass/fail.

Graduate courses in the school must be passed with a grade of “C” or better. A student receiving a grade of “D” or “F” in any course will be dismissed from the program in which they are enrolled. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better to continue in the program and graduate. Students falling below a GPA of 3.0 in any given semester will be placed on academic probation. A student may remain on academic probation for one additional semester in order to reach a 3.0 overall GPA. If the 3.0 GPA is not met at that time the student will be dismissed from the program.

For students in the Entry-Level OT or PT Programs:

A student on probation at the completion of the first spring semester academic year may be permitted to proceed to Clinical Education 1 or Fieldwork  Level 1 in Mental Health if the student has completed all course work with no grade lower than a “C,” has successfully passed all practical examinations, and has demonstrated appropriate professional behaviors in class and clinical settings. Faculty will meet to discuss the student’s performance and determine the student’s readiness to proceed to the full-time clinical experience.

If a student is permitted to proceed to Clinical Education 1 or Fieldwork Level 1 in Mental Health and successfully completes it, the student will then have one full- time semester (11 credit hours or more) in which to improve their GPA to a 3.0 or better.

Students must be at a 3.0 GPA or better at the completion of the second spring academic semester in order to proceed to Clinical Education 2 or Fieldwork Level 2 experiences.

Students must also be at a 3.0 or better in order to proceed to the terminal clinical internship experiences for the third year and must maintain the 3.0 GPA in order to graduate.

Students on academic probation should meet with their faculty advisor and course instructors on a regular basis to facilitate their academic improvement.

Students on academic probation are not eligible for academic and programmatic awards.

For more information, please see the previous section, “Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences Graduate Academic Policies.”

Program Matriculation and Completion: DPT and Entry-Level OTD Programs

At the end of each semester, faculty review the academic performance of all students. In order to progress to the next semester, students must successfully complete all courses in a particular semester with a grade of “C” or better and maintain a 3.0 GPA. All practical testing during that semester must be passed. The student must demonstrate appropriate professional behaviors as expected in all courses. The student will be permitted to progress to the second year and beyond only if all course work and full-time clinical experiences have been successfully completed.

A comprehensive examination is required for entry-level OT students. The exam must be successfully completed at the end of the Level 2 full-time clinical experiences to progress to the Capstone Experience.

PT students are enrolled in PTH 835 during the third summer of the program. This course prepares students to complete the Practice Examination (PEAT) of the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy as the written examination. This written examination must be completed at a satisfactory level, as determined by class performance and faculty assessment, to progress to the final terminal clinical experiences that begin in fall of the third year.

Successful completion and meeting of entry-level competencies is required in the full-time terminal clinical internship experiences in order to graduate as scheduled. If a student fails a clinical internship experience, he/she may be offered the opportunity to repeat the clinical internship.

The MDCHS timeframe for completion of all program requirements is specified as five years from the date of initial enrollment.

Specific procedures are further outlined in the Clinical Education and Fieldwork Education Manuals, which will be provided prior to clinical placement.