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.

The DrOT program is offered through WebCT, a distance learning course format. Students complete two courses per semester traveling to campus at the end/beginning of each 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, practicum experiences, online assignments, and communication with the professor and other students in the class.

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 75 hour clinical residency is required.

DrOT Doctoral Courses

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

Leadership
*OCT 6860	Creative Leadership
OCT 6102	The Health Professional as Academic Educator
OCT 6109	The Health Professional and Cultural Diversity
*OCT 6132	Advanced Legal and Ethical Issues in Practice
*OCT 6133	Advanced Policy Issues
OCT 6140	Media Relations for the Health Professional
Advanced Practice
*OCT 6010	Theory Development for Models of Practice
*OCT 6103	Occupation-centered Practice
OCT 6180	Neuroscience Foundation of Occupational Performance
OCT 6211	Sensory Processing Aspects of Occupational Performance
OCT 6241	Child and Infant Mental Health
OCT 6302	Contextual Analysis of Occupational Performance
OCT 6242	OT Practice with Children and Youth with Autism
OCT 6244	Low Vision Across the Lifespan
OCT 6101	The Health Professional as Academic Educator
OCT 6769	Community Practicum
OCT 6792	Wellness and Health Promotion
OCT 6911	Chronicity, Occupation and Health
Entrepreneurship
OCT 6767	Community Program Development
OCT 6110	The Health Professional and Disability Laws
OCT 6789	Small Business Practice
OCT 6791	Grant Practicum: Finding and Developing Funding
OCT 6831	The Occupational Therapist as Consultant
Research
*OCT 6005	Evidence - Based Practice & Critical Thinking
OCT 6006	Research Process of Discovery
*OCT 6007	Evidence and Outcomes
OCT 6104	Occupational Science

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DISTANCE DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS

APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR DISTANCE DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS

Routes of Entry/Courses of Study

There are four 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 42 credits of distance doctoral study. A student admitted with a baccalaureate in another field must complete:

2. An applicant with a baccalaureate degree in Occupational Therapy must complete:

3. An applicant with a baccalaureate degree in Occupational Therapy and a master's degree in a related discipline must complete:

Course		Semester Hours
	Transferred Credits	up to 30
OCT 6005	Evidence-based Practice and Critical Thinking	3
OCT 6007	Evidence and Outcomes	3
OCT 6010	Theory Development for Models of Practice	3
OCT 6103	Occupation-centered Practice	3
OCT 6860	Creative Leadership	3
*OCT 6132	Advanced Legal & Ethical Issues in Practice     or	3
*OCT 6133	Advanced Policy Issues	3
	Electives (Selected with advisory committee approval to complement stated practice focus.)	39
TOTAL		72

4. An applicant with a master's degree in Occupational Therapy must complete:

Course		Semester Hours
	Transferred Credits	up to 30
OCT 6005	Evidence - Based Practice and Critical Thinking	3
OCT 6007	Evidence and Outcomes	3
OCT 6010	Theory Development for Models of Practice	3
OCT 6103	Occupation-Centered Practice	3
OCT 6860	Creative Leadership	3
*OCT 6132	Advanced Legal & Ethical Issues in Practice    or	3
*OCT 6133	Advanced Policy Issues	3
	Electives (Selected with advisory committee approval to complement stated practice focus.)	21
TOTAL		72

TUITION AND FEES

Meet Some of Our Students...

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. Max Ito, Director of Doctoral programs, at 954-262-1227 or email at imax@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 ( page 26 of the pdf document, page 154 of Catalog)

Resource Page for Doctoral Students