Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program

Program Director: Allison Ellington

The Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral program is no longer accepting new students.

The Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral (PPOTD) program is an avenue for licensed occupational therapists to earn the clinical Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree. The PPOTD program emphasizes areas including evidence-based practice and knowledge translation as well as leadership, advocacy, program development, program assessment, and teaching skills. Each student will create a customized knowledge translation process with the support of a faculty advisor. Each course allows students to customize assignments and learning to apply new learning to their current occupational therapy practice or prepare for future practice transitions. The 10-course, 30-credit curriculum includes two interprofessional elective courses.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Mary Baldwin University Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program is to provide practitioner-students an enriched learning community to expand their knowledge and empower them to realize greater potentials in leadership, teaching-learning, scholarship, and interprofessional collaboration that will positively impact those they serve in the occupational therapy profession.

Program Vision

The Mary Baldwin University Post-Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy will be the program of choice for occupational therapists who wish to tailor their educational experience to most effectively advance their careers and become leaders in their current or desired area of practice.

Program Core Values

• Interprofessional education that influences and promotes interprofessional practice
• Excellence in teaching and learning (clinical, academic, and leadership contexts)
• Innovative and best practice delivery of online occupational therapy education
• A learning model focused on dual application within practice and classroom
• Translation of knowledge into evidence-informed practice
• Professional engagement including scholarly contributions and advocacy initiatives
• Leadership building (formal and informal contexts and roles)
• Advocacy for individuals, communities, populations, and the profession across varied settings and contexts including organizational, emerging/underserved practice, policy, and legislative.

Program

Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences admits new PPOTD students twice a year. Application Deadline – spring: December 15

Application Deadline– fall: August 15

Admissions Requirements

• Master's degree from an MBU approved, regionally accredited institution.
• Official transcript from most recent degree reflecting a minimum of GPA of 3.0.
• Active status license in occupational therapy
• Resume or curriculum vitae and a professional statement
• Application: Applications are available online.
• College transcripts: An official transcript demonstrating completion of a master’s degree from an MBU approved, regionally accredited institution is required prior to enrolling in coursework. Your official transcripts from your degree-granting institution(s) must be sent to Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences. Unofficial transcripts are allowable for initial review of an application; however, you will not be able to enroll in our program until your official transcript has been received verifying completion of the master’s degree and that you still meet the minimum GPA as required.
• Licensure: You will need to submit a copy of your current OT license prior to enrollment.
• Registration Fee: You will need to submit a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of

$50 once you are accepted into the program.

Conditional Admission

Conditional Admission is used in cases where applicants do not meet all of the requirements for regular program admission but allows them to begin program course work, i.e., OTH 870 and the 12-credit pre-requisite B-OT to PPOTD transition phase. Conditionally admitted students must earn at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale during the first nine credits taken and earn a grade of B or better for each course.

Full Program Admission

Upon successful completion of the pre-requisite B-OT to post-professional OTD transition phase, students will be fully admitted into the PPOTD program.