Occupational Therapy (OTD)
The OTD program is a full-time, in-person day program at our San Rafael, CA location. The first summer includes online courses, while fieldwork and doctoral capstone experiences, which are based in the community, occur in the second and third summers. The curriculum is designed with an emphasis on the practitioner-scholar model. Graduates will have a solid theoretical foundation, demonstrate knowledge of occupation as means and ends for intra- and inter-personal experience and participation, be skilled clinical practitioners, and contribute to the discovery, integration and translation of knowledge in occupational therapy and related fields after the completion of a doctoral capstone experience. Students in the program will advance through five curriculum tracks designed to meet the program learning outcomes:
- Foundational Knowledge and Skills
Foundational knowledge and skills courses introduce students to basic and critical knowledge and content for all occupational therapy practice and scholarship.
- Clinical Practice (Practitioner)
Knowledge and skills included in this curriculum thread establish and advance clinical practice. The three key practice areas are 1) psychosocial aspects of occupations and applying OT principles to individuals and groups, 2) application of OT to children and adolescents and 3) application of OT to adults and seniors. Course objectives are met through a combination of didactic instruction, experiential and practical learning, and reflection. Each of these practice courses provides core knowledge and skills fundamental to occupational therapy practice in various settings and communities.
- Research and Evidence-based Practice (Scholar)
Research and evidence-based practice are addressed through a set of courses that develop students’ skills and capacities as research scholars, culminating in a final research project and paper.
- Professional Development (Leader and Advocate)
As future leaders in occupational therapy and agents of change, Dominican students will exercise skills as responsible global citizens, assume a professional identity in occupational therapy, and act as advocates for equity. Personal and community well-being, competency, and resilience are explored through a four-semester series. Students develop their professional identity through engagement in reflective practices to promote self-awareness and skills in occupational balance, self-care, and professional communication. These courses prepare students to develop into leaders in the field.
- Fieldwork and Doctoral Capstone Experience (Innovator)
Students will engage in external experiences to solidify clinical skills, develop innovative programs in the community, and/or develop roles as scholars, educators and advocates. Courses in this area prepare students to achieve competency as entry-level practitioners and innovators in new practice areas.
Upon satisfactory completion of the occupational therapy curriculum and all required fieldwork experiences, students are eligible to take the national certifying examination offered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Occupational therapy is licensed in California and qualified individuals may contact the state licensing board for information on obtaining licensure.
Please note that prior felony convictions may affect the ability to become certified or licensed.
Occupational Therapy (OTD) Progression and Course Sequence
Progression Requirements for Occupational Therapy Doctorate
- Graduation requirements include passing all courses in the curriculum, successfully passing two Level II fieldwork (total 960 hours) and successful completion of doctoral capstone proposal and experience (total 560 hours). Specific requirements include:
- To progress, students must earn at least a "B-" grade in all courses. The option to repeat courses where a grade lower than a "B-" is earned may be allowed according to the OT department's progression policy as stated in the Student Handbook.
- To remain in the program, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. If a student's cumulative or term GPA falls below 3.0 for a semester, they will be put on academic probation. If the student fails to return to good standing, they may face program dismissal.
- In accordance with ACOTE standards, students may only begin Level II fieldwork (in psychosocial, pediatric, or physical disabilities) after successfully finishing the related clinical coursework in Psychosocial Aspects of Occupations, Occupations of Children and Adolescents or Occupations of Adults and Seniors respectively. To graduate from the program students must pass both 12-week Level II Fieldwork placements. If a student fails or withdraws from two Level II fieldwork placements, they may be dismissed from the OT program. Occupational therapy students must complete two 12-week Level II fieldwork sessions within a calendar year or 12 months after finishing academic coursework.
- As per ACOTE’s standards for OTD programs, all students must complete a doctoral capstone project proposal and 560 hours of doctoral capstone experience. Students can start their doctoral capstone experience only after completing all coursework, 960 hours of Level II fieldwork, and successfully defending their doctoral capstone project proposal. The doctoral capstone experience and project dissemination must be completed within a calendar year or 12 months after the end of the last Level II fieldwork. To graduate, students must receive a passing grade in the doctoral capstone experience and successfully defend their doctoral capstone project completion.
- Students are expected to finish the program within 3 years and no later than 6 years from their initial enrollment date.
Graduation and the OTD degree will be awarded upon successful completion of the doctoral capstone. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the national certifying examination offered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
Additional Requirements
- At Dominican University of California (DUOC), information regarding a student's criminal background and the results of criminal background checks are not considered during the admissions process for the Occupational Therapy program. However, it is important for applicants to understand that a criminal background could affect their ability to take the National Certification Examination for Occupational Therapists, which is overseen by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Additionally, a felony conviction might restrict access to necessary clinical fieldwork experiences, impact eligibility for the NBCOT certification exam, and influence the ability to obtain state licensure. Applicants with concerns about how a criminal background might affect their program participation are encouraged to consult with an OT Academic Advisor at DUOC. They can provide guidance on the requirements for completing the degree and obtaining licensure or certification.
- Students must meet the following health requirements: Continuous health insurance coverage, current health examination, evidence of CPR certification, evidence of immunizations for and/or immunity to Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (whooping cough): Hepatitis B, Rubella, Rubeola (Measles), COVID-19 vaccinations, and a clear tuberculin test prior to their first fieldwork placement in the second semester in the OT Clinical program. All required documents must be submitted and/or updated annually to CastleBranch.com, by September 1st beginning in the first year. Failure to meet these requirements may result in ineligibility for some fieldwork experiences and a delay in graduation.
- The OTD program at Dominican University of California is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any major. Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their last 60 units. Those with a lower GPA may include a statement of academic readiness. A minimum of 40 volunteer hours is required, with at least 20 hours under a licensed OT. A GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite courses is recommended. Up to three incomplete prerequisite courses are allowed at the time of application. Prerequisites include Human Anatomy, Physiology, Lifespan Development, Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Statistics, and Medical Terminology. Applicants must submit two reference letters, a personal statement, and participate in an interview. Applications are accepted through OTCAS from July to April for a fall start. The admissions process includes a review of GPA, volunteer hours, prerequisites, and an interview. For details, visit the program website.
Please contact the OT Department prior to admissions if you are unable to meet the background check or health requirements.
Occupational Therapy Courses
- Enrollment in all courses in the occupational therapy major require admission to the program
- All practice courses are sequential, and must be taken in order. Exceptions require permission from the academic advisor, instructor and Department Chair.
See the Occupational Therapy Student Handbook for other OT Departmental Policies.
Degree Requirements
These OTD course requirements are for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree.
Required Courses:
| OT 6000 | Occupational Science | 1.00 unit |
| OT 6012 | Foundations of Occupational Therapy | 4.00 units |
| OTL 6012 | Foundations of Occupational Therapy Lab | 0.00 units |
| OT 6014 | Human Movement Analysis | 3.00 units |
| OTL 6014 | Human Movement Analysis Lab | 0.00 units |
| OT 6015 | Psychosocial Foundations of Occupational Therapy | 3.00 units |
| OTL 6015 | Psychosocial Foundations of Occupational Therapy Lab | 0.00 units |
| OT 6016 | Occupations of Children & Adolescents I | 4.00 units |
| OTL 6016 | Occupations of Children and Adolescents I Lab | 0.00 units |
| OT 6019 | Culture, Diversity and Ethics in Occupational Therapy | 3.00 units |
| OT 6020 | Assistive Technology in Occupational Therapy | 3.00 units |
| OT 6027 | Occupations of Adults and Seniors I | 4.00 units |
| OTL 6027 | Occupations of Adults and Seniors I Lab | 0.00 units |
| OT 6028 | OT Fundamental Skills for Assessment and Intervention | 2.00 units |
| OTL 6028 | OT Fundamental Skills for Assessment and Intervention Lab | 0.00 units |
| OT 6030 | Occupations of Populations | 3.00 units |
| OT 6040 | Management and Leadership in Occupational Therapy | 2.00 units |
| OT 6103 | OT Program Development for Popuation-Level Practice | 3.00 units |
| OT 6104 | Educational Principles and Practices in Occupational Therapy | 3.00 units |
| OT 6115 | Occupations in Mental Health and Wellness | 4.00 units |
| OTL 6115 | Occupations in Mental Health and Wellness Lab | 0.00 units |
| OT 6116 | Occupations of Children and Adolescents II | 5.00 units |
| OTL 6116 | Occupations of Children and Adolescents II Lab | 0.00 units |
| OT 6121 | Research in Occupational Therapy I: Evidence-Based OT Practitioner | 4.00 units |
| OT 6122 | Research in Occupational Therapy II: Research Proposal Development | 3.00 units |
| OT 6123 | Research in Occupational Therapy III: Research Study Implementation | 2.00 units |
| OT 6124 | Research in Occupational Therapy IV: Research Dissemination | 2.00 units |
| OT 6127 | Occupations of Adults and Seniors II | 5.00 units |
| OTL 6127 | Occupations of Adults and Seniors II Lab | 0.00 units |
| OT 6137 | Occupations of Adults and Seniors III | 2.00 units |
| OT 6151 | Professional Identity I: The Reflective Practitioner | 1.00 unit |
| OT 6152 | Professional Identity II: The Resilient Practitioner | 1.00 unit |
| OT 6153 | Professional Identity III: OT as Change Agent | 2.00 units |
| OT 6154 | Professional Identity IV: Becoming an Engaged Parctitioner | 1.00 unit |
OT 62XX
| Special Topics | 2.00 units |
| OT 6410 | Doctoral Capstone in Occupational Therapy I | 1.00 unit |
| OT 6420 | Doctoral Capstone in Occupational Therapy II | 1.00 unit |
| OT 6430 | Doctoral Capstone in Occupational Therapy III | 4.00 units |
| OT 6431 | Doctoral Capstone Experience I | 3.00 units |
| OT 6432 | Doctoral Capstone Experience II | 4.00 units |
| OT 6440 | Doctoral Capstone in Occupational Therapy IV | 1.00 unit |
| OT 6531 | OT Level II Fieldwork 1 | 6.00 units |
| OT 6532 | OT Level II Fieldwork 2 | 6.00 units |
| Total Credit Hours: | 98 |
Recommended Electives:
| OT 6533 | OT Level II Fieldwork 3 | 6.00 units |