Occupational Therapy Doctorate (O.T.D.)

Program accreditation
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association

The VCU Occupational Therapy Doctorate program prepares students for entry-level practice. Graduates are equipped with knowledge to be outstanding leaders that utilize a client-centered approach, make decisions based on the best evidence, and create new knowledge and apply that knowledge to practice. The program provides an in-depth exposure to interprofessional and collaborative care and provides opportunities for program and professional development. The entry-level O.T.D. program prepares students to work in a wide range of occupational therapy practice settings as well as emerging areas of practice. Graduates will be eligible to apply for licensure to practice in any state upon successful completion of the national board examination.

Student learning outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the social determinants of health for persons, groups and populations with or at risk for disabilities and chronic health conditions.
2. Students will demonstrate practice grounded in theory.
3. Students will apply, analyze and evaluate the interaction of occupation and activity.
4. Students will evaluate and document client occupational performance and participation.
5. Students will analyze and synthesize relevant scientific literature and apply results to improve occupational therapy practice and patient care outcomes in a culturally sensitive manner.
6. Students will participate in professional development, leadership and advocacy opportunities.

VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs

The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.

It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.

Degree candidacy requirements

A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.

Graduation requirements

As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.

Other information

All graduates of an occupational therapy program are required to take the national certification examination to become a registered occupational therapist and use the credentials OTR. The national certifying organization for occupational therapy is the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Other licensure or certification requirements have been established by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. Most licensure requirements include board certification as a registered occupational therapist. Some licensure or certification agencies consider individuals convicted of a felony ineligible for licensure or certification. For specific information, prospective students should contact the licensure or certification agency for occupational therapy. 

Apply online today.

Admission requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
2. A  preferred minimum grade-point average in all college courses of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 system)
3. Preferred prerequisite minimum grade-point average is 3.25
4. An Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service application including these items:
   1. A personal statement (prompted in OTCAS)
   2. A  “value-added” essay (no more than 1,200 words) 
   3. Documentation of observation hours in two different settings under the supervision of an occupational therapy practitioner (occupational therapy assistant or occupational therapist). Employment or an internship will count for hours at one setting
   4. Three letters of recommendation (One letter from an occupational therapist is preferred, but it is not essential.)
   5.  26 credits of prerequisite courses: See OTD prerequisites for specific courses
5. Courses on kinesiology and medical terminology — strongly recommended, but not required
6. For non-native English-speaking applicants, regardless of immigration status, a Test of English as a Foreign Language iBT score of greater than 102, a TOEFL CBT score of greater than 253, a TOEFL PBT score of greater than 610 or an International English Language Testing System score of greater than 6.5

The GRE is optional, but not required for application. If you take the GRE, it can be sent to VCU, using the code 1219. The GRE is not scored individually as part of the application, but will be visible to reviewers.

The VCU entry-level occupational therapy doctorate is a 104 credit program that spans three years (nine semesters). Applicants apply for the program between July and Nov. 1 of the year preceding enrollment. O.T.D. orientation and summer semester classes begin the end of May. The first semester is a nine-credit part-time semester and the second summer semester is a five-credit part-time semester. All other semesters, including the last three semesters of Level II fieldwork and the doctoral capstone, are full-time semesters. Students will be required to have a computer or tablet with access to the internet.

Degree requirements

In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students must complete all College of Health Professions requirements and successfully complete 104 credits.

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 104.

Sample plan of study

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 104.

Contact
Audrey E. Kane, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Assistant Professor and director of admissions and recruitment
otentrylevel@vcu.edu
(804) 828-2219

Additional contacts
Tara Hemmen
Program manager
hemment@vcu.edu
(804) 828-2219

Program website: occu.chp.vcu.edu