The mission of this practice doctorate is to prepare occupational therapists that possess the knowledge and skills to become leaders in the practice of occupational therapy using evidence-based practice. Graduates will direct occupational therapy and rehabilitation services in traditional arena; develop and lead innovative programs and services in the community; establish private practices; serve as consultants to business and industry and the judicial, educational, or health care systems; and move into position to influence public policy decisions as they impact individual and societal engagement in occupation.

This program is designed for the working professional who is looking for flexibility in a distance format for advancing their career. Our Dr.OT students range from goal-oriented individuals who have just completed their Masters, to very experienced clinicians who share their knowledge in the dynamic online learning environments.

The benefits of clinical doctoral education are many and include:

• gain a professional edge
• develop an ability to engage in clinical research
• compete effectively with other allied health professionals
• advance in your clinical practice
• make unique contributions to the occupational therapy profession
• participate in creating and using evidence-based literature

You can be on the cutting edge of making a difference for your own professional development, as well as contributing to the profession's advancement in so many ways. In addition, doctoral education will enhance your ability to meet the diverse occupational needs in our society.

The DrOT program is offered through WebCT, a distance learning course format. Students complete two courses per semester traveling to campus at the mid-semester for four days (Friday through Monday) of intensive coursework. The rest of the semester's work will be completed from the student's home through readings, writing, community experiences, online assignments, and discussions, with the professor as facilitator.

All DrOT students must successfully complete the required core courses and select their remaining courses, in consultation with the Director of Doctoral Programs, based upon their professional interests and goals. A capstone paper and 90 hour clinical residency is required.

DrOT Doctoral Courses

Courses in the DrOT program are organized into four areas of focus: Leadership, Advanced practice, and Evidence-based Practice and Outcomes Research. Students take courses across all four areas. They are required to take the eight starred courses (*)

The other courses are some of the electives offered.

Routes of Entry/Courses of Study

There are three routes of entry to the DrOT Program:

1. An applicant who has a baccalaureate degree in another field or who has 90 semester credits from a regionally accredited college or university (60 lower division and 30 upper division) will first complete the MOT degree requirements on campus and continue with an additional 39 credits of distance doctoral study. A student admitted with a baccalaureate in another field must complete:
   
   

   Course		Semester Hours
   MOT Program	Equivalent of entry-level master's program including 6 months of internship	Min of 30 grad. credits
   OCT 7007	Evidence and Outcomes	3
   OCT 7002	Intro to Research	3
   OCT 7010	Theory Development for Models of Practice	3
   OCT 7005	Evidence-based Practice and Critical Thinking	3
   OCT 7302	Contextual Analysis of Occupational Performance	3
   OCT 7103	Occupation-centered Practice	3
   OCT 7860	Creative Leadership	3
   OCT 7133	Advanced Policy Issues	3
   OCT 7006	Process of Discovery	1
   OCT 7003	Residency	2
   	Electives (Selected with doctoral advisor approval to complement student's practice focus.)	12
   TOTAL		69

2. An applicant with a baccalaureate degree in Occupational Therapy must complete a minimum of 30 graduate level credits from an accredited program or the online NSU Master of Health Science program, in addition to the courses in the table above, including electives.
3. An applicant with a baccalaureate degree in Occupational Therapy and a master's degree in a related discipline, or a Masters degree in OT, must complete the same core courses listed above, in addition to electives adding up to the 69 total credit requirement.

TUITION AND FEES

For more information, please call the Health Professions Division Occupational Therapy Admissions Office at (954)262-1101 or 1-800-356-0026 Ext. 21101 (Ask for Occupational Therapy Admissions). You may also contact Dr. Sandee Dunbar, Dr.OT Program Director, at (954)262-1243 or email at sdunbar@nova.edu.

Note: A prospective student should consult the university catalog. Should any discrepancies exist between the catalogue and these Web Pages, the university catalog will be considered to be the official binding document.

Catalog link for DrOT program