Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
The OTD is a full-time, primarily in-person day program at Dominican’s San Rafael, CA campus. The curriculum utilizes a cohort model, where students progress through structured coursework designed to build from foundational knowledge to applied practice. The program spans nine semesters and consists of 100 graduate units. The first summer includes online courses, while fieldwork and the doctoral capstone experience, integral components of the curriculum, take place in the second and third summers.
Program Overview and Curriculum
Dominican’s OTD program prepares students from diverse backgrounds to become resilient occupational therapists who use occupation to enhance the health and well-being of individuals, communities, and populations. Through active and experiential learning, students co-create knowledge and embody the Dominican values of study, reflection, community, and service. The program strives to empower the next generation of occupational therapy practitioners to advance the profession as leaders, advocates, scholars, and innovators.
This entry-level clinical doctorate provides a comprehensive education covering all areas of occupational therapy practice. Students develop clinical expertise while also learning to conduct research, design community-based programs, cultivate leadership and management skills, and promote health and wellness through occupation-based interventions. The curriculum also includes a dedicated professional identity course sequence that supports the development of resilience, leadership, advocacy, and career preparedness. These courses help students cultivate reflective practices and strengthen their ability to lead within the profession. The program culminates in a 14-week doctoral capstone experience, allowing students to apply advanced knowledge in a specialized area of interest.
OT Department Mission: The Dominican University of California OT programs educate students to become resilient occupational therapy practitioners who use occupation to advance the health and well-being of themselves, individuals, communities and populations through a culture of mentorship and collegiality. The OT students are co-creators of knowledge through active and experiential learning and embody the Dominican values of study, reflection, community, and service.
OTD Vision: Empowering and educating the next generation of diverse occupational therapy practitioners to advance the profession by becoming leaders, advocates, scholars, and innovators.
OTD Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the OTD program will:
- Develop and articulate a distinct professional identity as an occupation-centered and innovative practitioner
- Demonstrate a commitment to health, wellbeing, and resilience of self and others
- Utilize reflective practices and critical thinking skills to powerfully serve individuals, communities and populations
- Practice, lead, and advocate within diverse social, cultural, and political settings
- Effectively utilize and generate evidence in practice
OTD Curricular Tracks
Students in the DUC-OTD program will advance in a non-linear progression through a curriculum structured around five tracks. These tracks support students' development from foundational knowledge to applied practice and ultimately to the integration of knowledge, skills, and professional identity. Each track aligns with the program's goal of preparing students to become practitioners, scholars, leaders, advocates, and innovators in the field of occupational therapy.
- Foundational Knowledge and Skills- Introduce students to basic and critical knowledge and content for all occupational therapy practice and scholarship.
- Clinical Practice (Practitioner)- Covers psychosocial aspects of occupation, OT principles for individuals and groups, and OT application for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Learning integrates didactic instruction, experiential practice, and reflection.
- Research and Evidence-based Practice (Scholar) Develops students' skills in research methodologies and critical appraisal, culminating in a final research project and paper.
- Professional Development (Leader and Advocate)- Strengthens professional identity, leadership, advocacy, resilience, and self-care through structured coursework.
- Fieldwork and Doctoral Capstone Experience (Innovator)- Provides external experiences to develop clinical competence, create innovative community-based programs, and explore roles as scholars, educators, and advocates.
Occupational Therapy (OTD) Courses, Progression, and Graduation Requirements
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 6010 | Functional Neuroscience in Occupational Therapy | 3.00 units |
| 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 Population-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 Practitioner | 1.00 unit |
| OT 6155 | Professional Identity V: The Prepared OT Professional | 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: | 100 |
Occupational Therapy (OTD) Progression and Graduation Requirements
To graduate with an OTD, students must successfully:
- Complete all coursework in the curriculum with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Pass two 12-week Level II fieldwork placements (full-time or approved part-time equivalent).
- Complete a 14-week doctoral capstone experience (full-time or approved part-time equivalent).
- Defend their doctoral capstone project upon completion.
- Fulfill all Level II fieldwork and doctoral capstone experience requirements within 18 months of completing didactic coursework.
Students are expected to graduate within 3 years, with a maximum timeframe of 6 years from initial enrollment.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
Academic and Professional Behavior Progression Standards
The OT Department is committed to preparing students to be effective and successful occupational therapy practitioners. This includes not only achieving academic excellence but also demonstrating the professional behaviors essential to occupational therapy practice. Developing a strong professional identity—encompassing ethical decision-making, communication, collaboration, initiative, time management, respect, and integrity—is critical for successfully navigating professional practice and providing high-quality, client-centered care.
Students are expected to meet both academic and professional behavior progression standards throughout the program. Academic progression requires maintaining a minimum grade of "B-" in all courses and a cumulative and term GPA of 3.0 or higher, while professional behavior expectations align with the OT Department’s values, AOTA’s Code of Ethics, and the behavioral standards expected of occupational therapy students. Failure to meet these standards may result in probation or dismissal from the program.
For detailed information on academic progression, professional behavior expectations, probation processes, and appeals, refer to the Occupational Therapy Student Handbook.
Academic Progression:
- Students must earn a minimum grade of "B-" in all courses.
- Courses where a grade below "B-" is earned may be repeated according to the OT Department's progression policy (outlined in the Student Handbook).
- A cumulative and term GPA of 3.0 or higher must be maintained.
If a student fails a course or has a term or cumulative GPA below 3.0, they will be placed on Academic Probation. Students placed on Academic Probation will receive a written notice outlining expectations for remediation. Failure to demonstrate sufficient improvement within the specified timeframe may result in dismissal from the program.
Professional Behavior Expectations:
In addition to academic standards, students must demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with the OT Department’s values, AOTA’s Code of Ethics, and behavioral expectations for occupational therapy students. Professional identity development includes adherence to expectations in communication, collaboration, initiative, time management, respect, and integrity.
Professional behavior concerns, including but not limited to ethical violations, unprofessional conduct in classroom or fieldwork settings, failure to meet responsibilities, or interpersonal issues impacting learning environments, may result in formal feedback, professional behavior probation, or dismissal from the program.
Students placed on Professional Behavior Probation will receive a written notice outlining expectations for remediation. Failure to demonstrate sufficient improvement within the specified timeframe may result in dismissal from the program. Severe breaches of ethical or professional conduct may lead to immediate dismissal.
For detailed information on professional behavior or academic progression policies, probation processes, and appeals, refer to the Occupational Therapy Student Handbook.
Level II Fieldwork Requirements:
Students may only begin Level II fieldwork in psychosocial/mental health, pediatric, or physical disabilities after successfully completing the corresponding clinical coursework:
- Psychosocial Aspects of Occupations → Psychosocial Fieldwork
- Occupations of Children and Adolescents → Pediatric Fieldwork
- Occupations of Adults and Seniors → Physical Disabilities Fieldwork
- Students must pass two full-time 12-week fieldwork placements or an approved part-time equivalent.
- Students must complete both Level II fieldwork placements within 12 months after finishing academic coursework.
- If a student fails or withdraws from two Level II fieldwork placements, they may be dismissed from the OT program.
Doctoral Capstone Requirements:
- Students may begin the doctoral capstone experience only after completing all coursework, passing two full-time 12-week fieldwork placements or approved part-time equivalent, and successfully defending their capstone proposal.
- Per ACOTE standards, students must complete a doctoral capstone proposal and a 14-week full-time, or approved part-time equivalent, doctoral capstone experience.
- A passing grade in the doctoral capstone experience and a successful final capstone defense are required for graduation.
- The doctoral capstone experience and project dissemination must be completed within 12 months of the last Level II fieldwork.
See the Occupational Therapy Student Handbook for other OT Departmental Policies.