Curriculum Requirements

Framework for Curriculum Design

The Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model by Christiansen and Baum (2005) provides a unifying concept for the overall curriculum. We define occupational performance as a process that includes the "doing of activities, tasks, and roles" and serves as a way of integrating an individual with their particular societal roles in various environments (Christiansen & Baum, 2005, p. 244). Occupational performance is a result of the person and environment interaction, or, in which roles and task are carried out, i.e., a human being in place while knowing and doing (Rowles, 1991). Likewise, the curriculum wraps itself around the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) to reiterate the profession's core beliefs in the relationship between occupation and health and its view of people as occupational beings, (AOTA, 2008).

Each course intentionally considers and applies the PEOP - OTPF relationship with all course content and objectives as the major unifying curricular thread. Courses are logically sequenced to facilitate students' comprehensive knowledge and application of this relationship and its application to occupational therapy practice. The following course sequences weave into the curriculum for the entry level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program designed to meet current standards for doctoral occupational therapy education, and provide consistency throughout the curriculum. These curriculum sequences are:

OTD Curriculum Model

The OTD curriculum model illustrates didactic-to-clinical experiences designed for the Nova Southeastern University Tampa doctoral student. The inner circle features the eight clusters of course sequences within the hybrid entry level professional program. The concentric rings, shown starting from the inner layer comprise: 1) teaching exemplar; 2) learning threads; and 3) practice areas consistent with the profession's Centennial Vision.

The eight curriculum sequences provide opportunities for student experiences for lifelong learning applying the PEOP model and the OTPF. The sequences provide activities to learn the structure and function of the human body as it relates to occupations; theoretical and philosophical foundations of occupational therapy practice; expressions and use of occupations and technology for teaching and learning across the lifespan; identification and treatment of developmental and acquired occupational dysfunctions using occupation based interventions; evidence basis and scholarly explorations for accountable practice; leadership and advocacy for responsible collaborative, global practice; clinical competence in all areas of practice, and beginning specialization as a reflective doctorally prepared professional.

Curriculum Requirements

First Year Courses
course # course title credit hours
Summer Semester    
ANAT 5420 Anatomy 5
OTD 8101 Introduction to Didactic, Clinical and Capstone Experiences 1
OTD 8102 Foundations of Occupational Therapy 3
TOTAL   9
Fall Semester    
OTD 8103 Kinesiology in Occupations 3
OTD 8141 Development of Occupation Across the Lifespan 3
OTD 8142 Occupational and Contextual Analysis 3
OTD 8151 Human Conditions and Occupations I 3
TOTAL   12
Winter Semester    
ANAT 5423 Neuroanatomy 3
OTD 8152 Human Conditions and Occupations II 3
OTD 8143 Therapeutic Use of Self 3
OTD 8161 Evidence in Occupational Therapy Practice 3
TOTAL   12
Second Year Courses
course # course title credit hours
Summer Semester    
OTD 8271 Occupational Therapy Interventions I 6
OTD 8281 Business of Practice and Management 3
OTD 8244 Innovations and Technology in Occupational Therapy 3
TOTAL   12
Fall Semester    
OTD 8272 Occupational Therapy Interventions II 10
OTD 8262 Research Design 2
TOTAL   12
Winter Semester    
OTD 8273 Occupational Therapy Interventions III 10
OTD 8262L Research Design - Lab 1
OCT 7860 Creative Leadership 3
TOTAL   14
Third Year Courses
course # course title credit hours
Summer Semester    
OTD 8391 Fieldwork Experience II 12
TOTAL   12
Fall Semester    
OTD 8392 Doctoral Certification and Introduction to Residency Program  
Specialized Course Selected with Chair &/or Advisor approval to complement stated practice focus 3
OTD 8363 Capstone Project I 2
TOTAL   5
Winter Semester    
OTD 8363L Capstone Project I - Lab 1
Specialized Course Selected with Chair &/or Advisor approval to complement stated practice focus

3
TOTAL   4
Fourth Year Courses
course # course title credit hours
Summer Semester    
OTD 8393 Fieldwork Experience II 12
TOTAL   12
Fall Semester    
OTD 8494 Doctoral Residency 16
OTD 8464 Capstone Project II-Reflections and Exit Colloquium 2
TOTAL   18