Program Description
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) is designed as a full-time entry-level doctorate program. Students must complete their bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to be accepted into the program. One cohort of up to 36 students will be accepted each year, and classes begin in the fall semester. The course sequence is fixed, sequential, and offered one time per year. Classes will typically be held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students will complete 83 academic credits, 16 fieldwork credits, and nine capstone credits, for a total of 108 credits, in 33 months.
Program Mission
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate program advances the mission of Cedar Crest College by developing ethical occupational therapy leaders who are committed to clinical excellence, scientifically informed practice, advocacy for occupational justice and positive social change, and serving the health and occupational needs of diverse populations in a dynamic global community.
Accreditation
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 501E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-6611, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
Graduates of the program
The program must complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion ofsuccessfully completing this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork andas well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 51 months of matriculation. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 20232018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
Program Requirements
To complete the OTD doctorate, a student in the program must take a minimum of 108 credits, including all required didactic coursework, 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork, and an individual 14-week capstone experience, within 51 months from the date of matriculation. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
Program Goals and Learning Outcomes
The OTD program is committed to providing a comprehensive education that will prepare graduates to succeed as advanced practice generalists with expertise in traditional and emerging practice areas to meet the health and occupational needs of diverse populations in a dynamic global community. Upon completion of the program, graduates of the Cedar Crest College entry-level occupational therapy program will be able to:
- Utilize clinical excellence to develop and implement value-driven, client-centered, and occupation-based therapy services in traditional and emerging practice settings across the continuum of care.
- Anticipate and respond to changes in practice while leading in preventative health and collaborative inter-professional care.
- Participate in scholarly work to advance the occupational therapy profession and apply effective and efficient, scientifically informed interventions in practice.
- Model cultural effectiveness and cultural humility strategies to transform healthcare in a global community.
- Advocate for occupational justice and positive social change to improve the determinants of population health.
- Serve the health and occupational needs of diverse populations in a dynamic global community.
General Admission Requirements
The program participates in a holistic application review process. Admission decisions will be made based on your individual qualifications, academic history, academic ability, personal statement, letters of recommendation, observational experiences, and interview. A candidate’s unique learning experiences and life circumstances will be considered when making admission decisions. Requests for application materials and all correspondence relating to admission should be addressed to:
Cedar Crest College
School of Adult and Graduate Education
100 College Drive
Allentown, PA 18104-6196
Phone: 610-740-3770
Email: sage@abigail-stoudt
Fax: 610-740-3786
Online Application Materials: www.cedarcrest.edu/apply
The School for Adult and Graduate Education is located in Blaney Hall, Room 105, and is open Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Your application can be submitted through the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) or the School of Adult and Graduate Education (www.cedarcrest.edu/graduate). A rolling admissions policy is in effect for this program. Applications are accepted and reviewed continuously throughout the year.
Standards for Admission
To be considered for admission, a candidate must meet the following criteria:
- Obtained a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
- Researched the profession
- Maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Taken the required prerequisite coursework
- Accumulated 40 observation hours in the field of occupational therapy from at least two different sites (waived until further notice).
- Submitted two letters of recommendation from individuals, such as an occupational therapist, faculty member, or supervisor who can speak to your ability to be successful in a rigorous OTD graduate program.
- Completed a personal statement that reflects your understanding of occupational therapy and your aptitude for rigorous graduate study.
- Met the Technical Standards required to progress through the OTD program successfully.
- Provided proof of health insurance.
Technology
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate curriculum is delivered primarily in person; however, some online courses are required. Students admitted into the program must be proficient in using a personal computer, including but not limited to sending and receiving email, using data and word processing software (primarily Microsoft Office software), using the Internet, and navigating Cedar Crest College and other websites.
Students in the OTD Program must have consistent and reliable access to computers, printers, and the Internet.
Examplify (ExamSoft) Minimum System Requirements
The OTD Program uses Examplify (ExamSoft) for exams. Students downloading the test-taking software, Examplify, should review Minimum System Requirements (MSRs) to ensure their devices are supported. Examplify works with most modern computers, both Mac and Windows operating systems. Examplify will not run on Chromebooks, Android, or Linux operating systems. Examplify does not support touchscreen input devices on Mac or Windows laptops. Students should access the Examplify link to ensure that their computer is compatible with Examplify software.
https://examsoft.com/resources/examplify-minimum-system-requirements/#bar
Cedar Crest College Recommended Computer Specifications and Minimum Requirements for Technology
Please use the link below to review the recommended computer specifications and minimum requirements for technology.
https://cedarcrest.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2020/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=53983
Admissions Decisions
A committee of faculty members from the Occupational Therapy Program will make final admissions decisions based upon the criteria specified above. Each applicant will be considered from a holistic perspective.
Transfer Credit Policy
The OTD program does not accept transfer credits from other programs, nor is credit given for experiential learning or work experience.
Matriculation
Accepted students are matriculated into the program once they have registered for classes during their first semester of academic study. The date of matriculation is the first day of classes in the term in which the student is enrolled.
Academic Standing, Progression, and Dismissal Policy
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program faculty is responsible for educating students and determining every student’s capacity for professional competency and responsibility in an occupational therapist’s knowledge, behavior, and skills. In striving to meet this goal, the occupational therapy faculty has developed academic performance standards and professional behavior for occupational therapy students and collectively reviews student progress each semester.
The progress of each student through the curriculum requires continuous satisfactory academic performance. Satisfactory academic progress is evidenced by a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, a final grade in each course of a C- (70%) or higher, passing all course competencies, and the completion of all program requirements.
Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program Competency Requirements
The occupational therapy doctorate (OT) program has established policies regarding competency assessments to ensure students develop essential skills for fieldwork readiness and safe and effective practice. These policies outline the number of attempts allowed for competency evaluations and the consequences for failing competency.
1. Competency Assessment and Retake Limits
- Students are required to demonstrate competency through various assessments, such as practical exams, written assessments, and demonstrations.
- Students are allowed two attempts for a failed competency assessment.
- If a student fails their third attempt, they will fail the course.
2. Consequences of Failing a Competency Assessment
- All students must successfully pass any competency assessments assigned to a course as a requirement for course completion and progression within the program.
A student who receives a deficient (D) or failing (F) grade in any course is not eligible for promotion to the next phase of the program and thus is subject to immediate dismissal.
Students can meet with the Student Progression Committee (SPC) to reapply to the program and take the failed course the following year. Once the student has been dismissed from the program, the student must apply and be granted readmission before continuing the required occupational therapy coursework. If readmission is granted, the student will likely join the next cohort. A student can only repeat one course while in the OTD program. If a class is repeated, the higher grade earned is computed into the student’s grade point average. However, both grades appear on the permanent record. Students are responsible for monitoring their academic progress. A student should always consult with their advisor and instructor when problems within or outside the classroom arise that affect one’s ability to succeed.
A student who does not maintain a 3.0 GPA or demonstrates conduct in violation of ethical or professional standards is eligible for probation or could be dismissed from the program. A student placed on academic probation will remain on probation until they obtain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher and have demonstrated behavior consistent with the discipline. A student on academic probation must meet with the SPC to discuss a plan of action. Students will be permitted to progress to Level II Fieldwork rotations only after completing didactic coursework, including a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the program and demonstration of appropriate professional behaviors. Students have the right to appeal dismissal from the OTD program using the process outlined in Book VII.
Maximum Period of Candidacy
Students must complete all required courses, two Level II fieldwork placements, and the doctoral capstone to be eligible for graduation. All components of the program must be completed within 51 months of the matriculating semester.
Completion of the Graduate Program and Graduation
In addition to the requirements of the College, students enrolled in the occupational therapy doctorate program must complete the following to be eligible for graduation:
- Students must complete a minimum of 108 credit hours, including all required didactic coursework, 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork, and an individual 14-week capstone experience, within 51 months from the date of matriculation. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork, as well as completion of all doctoral capstone preparatory activities defined in 2023 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
- Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.
- Students must complete all courses with a grade of C- (70%) or higher.
- Students must pass Level I and Level II Fieldwork requirements.
- Students must complete and present their capstone project.
- Students must complete an Application for Graduation Form following the timeline identified by the Office of the Registrar. The Program Director will audit program criteria for full compliance with graduation requirements and submit a final letter of approval to the Office of the Registrar upon determining that students have met all graduation requirements as indicated above.
Required Curriculum (108 credits)
OTD500 Foundations of Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
OTD 506 Research I: Scholarship & Evidence-Based Practice (2 credits)
OTD 512 Anatomy, Movement, & Occupational Performance (4 credits)
OTD 518 Occupational Behavior & Clinical Reasoning (2 credits)
OTD 524 Leadership Development & Social Change (2 credits)
OTD 530 Group Dynamics & Contexts (2 credits)
Research II: Scholarly Project (2 credits)
OTD 550 Qualitative Research & Occupational Performance (2 credits) or
OTD 556 Quantitative Research & Occupational Performance (2 credits)
OTD 562 Children & Adolescents Development, Occupations, & Performance (4 credits)
OTD 568 Children & Adolescents Evaluation & Skills Lab (4 credits)
OTD 574 Level I Fieldwork: Children & Adolescents (1 credit)
OTD 580 Functional Neuroscience & Occupational Performance (3 credits)
OTD 586 Doctoral Experience Milestone: Introduction & Exploration (1 credit)
OTD 600 Adult Development, Occupations, & Performance (4 credits)
OTD 606 Adult Evaluation & Skills Lab (4 credits)
OTD 612 Level I Fieldwork: Adults (1 credit)
OTD 618 Psychosocial Approach to Occupations (3 credits)
OTD 624 Level I Fieldwork: Psychosocial (1 credit)
OTD 630 Special Topics in Occupational Therapy (2 credits)
OTD 636 Doctoral Experience Milestone: Proposal (1 credit)
OTD 650 Older Adult Development, Occupations, & Performance (4 credits)
OTD 656 Older Adult Evaluation & Skills Lab (4 credits)
OTD 662 Level I Fieldwork: Older Adult (1 credit)
OTD 668 Practitioner as Education (3 credits)
OTD 674 Research III: Systematic Review (3 credits)
OTD 680 Doctoral Experience Milestone: Partnership (1 credit)
OTD 700 Fieldwork Level IIA (8 credits)
OTD 706 Management in Healthcare I (online) (1 credit)
OTD 701 Fieldwork Level IIB (8 credits)
OTD 707 Management in Healthcare II (online) (1 credit)
OTD 800 Integration of Learning in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
OTD 806 Advanced Leadership & Advocacy in Occupational Therapy (3 credits)
OTD 812 Capstone Preparation I (3 credits)
OTD 850 Health and Well-being (3 credits)
OTD 856 Occupational Justice (3 credits)
OTD 862 Capstone Preparation II (3 credits)
OTD 900 Doctoral Capstone Experience (9 credits)
OTD 906 Doctoral Capstone Dissemination (1 credit)
Graduate 2025-2026 Tuition and Fees
OTD Tuition per credit, $955.00
Deposit (non-refundable) due upon acceptance to the program $500.00
Graduate Student Activity Fee per semester $25.00 (fall/spring)
Full-Time Technology Fee per semester, $125.00 (fall/spring)
Lab Fee per year, $1,500
Note: The College reserves the right to change fees and charges as necessary. Books, supplies, and other program costs are not included in the tuition.
Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program Handbook
Each student will be provided with a copy of the Student Handbook prepared specifically for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program. The purpose of the handbook is to provide students with information pertaining to the curricular requirements and policies and procedures associated with the program. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves and understanding the information presented in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Handbook. Questions regarding the content of the handbook should be directed to the Program Director.