We welcome anyone interested in learning more about the WOU OTD program, including prospective students, practicing therapists, fieldwork site representatives, and other potential community partners to attend our virtual open house on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, from 5:30-7 p.m. via Zoom.
As founding program director, I’m very excited to announce that we will be the first occupational therapy program to be located within Oregon’s public university system and are planning to welcome our inaugural cohort in fall 2024. We are currently in the applicant phase of accreditation with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and plan to submit our candidacy application by the end of 2023. We look forward to welcoming students to the WOU Salem campus, where the Occupational Therapy Program will be located. Updates on our progress toward accreditation and welcoming our first class will be regularly posted on this website.
Occupational Therapists use everyday activities (occupations) to help people and groups to do the things they want to do, need to do, and/or are expected to do in order to live life to the fullest. Occupational Therapy practice balances art and science to provide assessments and interventions that are evidence-based, holistic, and context driven. More information about careers in occupational therapy can be found at the American Occupational Therapy Association website: About Occupational Therapy.
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a preaccreditation review, 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 of 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.
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program at WOU is the first public doctoral-level occupational therapy (OT) program in Oregon and is designed to prepare students to balance the art and science of OT practice as entry-level therapists. Occupational therapists work with individuals, groups, and organizations to promote health and wellness across the age span so that everyone can strive to live life to the fullest. Occupational therapy practitioners use occupations (meaningful activities) to support individuals in doing the things they want to do, need to do, and are expected to do in daily life.
Students will learn the skills necessary to become outstanding entry-level occupational therapy practitioners across the diverse settings and contexts where occupational therapists work. Students will become skilled in analyzing and applying scientific evidence through artful interventions to support participation and occupational performance for all.
Students will:
Completed applications received after the priority deadline may be considered until the cohort is full or be placed on a waitlist. Apply beginning in November!
Process: You will be notified via email regarding the acceptance status of your complete application.
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program prepares graduates to work with individuals, groups, and populations who are affected by physical, cognitive, psychosocial, mental, developmental, and/or learning challenges, as well as adverse environmental conditions, to maximize their occupational functioning and maintain optimum health through a planned mix of acquired skills, performance motivation, environmental adaptations, assistive technologies, and physical agents. Occupational Therapy education includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, psychology, sociology, client assessment and evaluation, standardized and non-standardized tests and measurements, assistive and rehabilitative technologies, ergonomics, environmental health, special education, vocational counseling, health education and promotion, health advocacy, and professional standards and ethics.
The OTD program is a three-year professional doctorate degree that will prepare students for careers as occupational therapists and faculty in Occupational Therapy programs. The program is built upon a foundation of human occupation, lifespan development, mental health, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, and neuroscience that supports evaluation and assessment, applied research, intervention and rehabilitation, clinical practice, and advocacy. The program will meet all national accreditation requirements as prescribed by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The sixty-one learning outcomes required of all ACOTE accredited programs will be delivered over 11 terms, including 24 weeks of Level II Clinical Fieldwork and a 14 week Doctoral Capstone Experience.
Is there a specific degree required for entry? No, any four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent) from regionally accredited institution as defined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars is acceptable.
What’s the deadline for completing my baccalaureate degree and pre-requisite courses? The majority of pre-requisite courses should be completed by the end of the spring term prior to entering the program. A small number of pre-requisite courses may be completed summer term before entry, but documentation of successful completion must be submitted prior to beginning the program. Acceptance into the program will be contingent upon successful completion of all pre-requisites prior to the start of the fall entry term.
How recently must pre-requisite courses be taken? Pre-requisite courses must be completed within the 10-year period leading up to entry to the program.
Can I transfer in credits from another occupational therapy school? The WOU OT program is not able to accept credits from another occupational therapy school as a substitute for required coursework.
Are observation or service hours required for application? You are highly encouraged to shadow occupational therapy practitioners in a variety of settings prior to application but it is not absolutely required. Observation hours may be considered during the application review process for candidates who are similarly qualified.
When does the entry-level OTD program start? The program starts one cohort per year in the fall term (late September).
Is the program on semesters or terms? Terms (generally 10 weeks of classes plus a finals week).
How is the program structured? We follow a cohort model so that students will start and progress through the program as a group. Once beginning the program, you will be in classes or clinical experience year-round for a total of 11-terms. The first two years will be primarily in person, predominantly at the WOU:Salem campus, while the third year will be primarily clinical experiences (Level II Fieldwork and Doctoral Capstone Experience) with some supporting online courses.
Can I attend part-time? At this point we are not offering part-time enrollment; however we are exploring the possibility of offering part-time enrollment at some point in the future.
Do students get summers off? No, the program goes year-round with regular breaks between terms.
How big are the cohorts? The first cohort will enroll approximately 30 students with the number gradually increasing each year until we reach a target of 40 students per cohort.
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Coordinator,
readh@wou.edu | TODD 103
Director of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy
roushs@wou.edu | TODD 104
Administrative Program Assistant, Occupational Therapy
stewarta@wou.edu | TODD 105
Occupational Therapy Academic Fieldwork Coordinator ,
vieyrabraendles@wou.edu
To produce socially conscious and evidence-informed OT practitioners that utilize the power of occupation to promote the health and well-being of people and their communities in our region and the larger world.
We envision a world where everyone has access to and the ability to participate in meaningful occupations that support health and well-being.
WOU OTD will achieve this vision by:
The philosophy of Western Oregon University is reflective of the Philosophical Base of Occupational Therapy (AOTA, 2017) and is grounded in the belief that access to and the ability to engage in meaningful occupation is central to the health and well-being of all individuals, groups, and populations. At the heart of the Occupational Therapy Program at Western Oregon University is an unwavering commitment to an educational journey that seamlessly integrates purpose, practice, and pragmatism. Our philosophy is rooted in the conviction that impactful education nurtures critical thinking, humility, and collaborative exploration. Through rigorous academic training, we equip students with the solid theoretical foundation to grasp human occupation, health, and well-being, as well as the clinical skills to effectively work with humans across the lifespan. Experiential learning transforms this knowledge into practical wisdom, cultivating empathy and collaboration with diverse individuals. Our philosophy underscores community engagement and advocacy for social justice, expanding the horizons of occupational therapy beyond clinical confines. By harmonizing purpose, practice, and pragmatism, we drive our mission to cultivate practitioners who ardently champion social and occupational justice, ushering valuable contributions to both the field of occupational therapy and society at large.
We believe that an OTD program should be developmental (Ringsted 2011) and subject-centered (Hooper et al, 2020), such that foundational knowledge and skills grow over time around the core subject of occupation. As students move through the program they will experience a pragmatic curriculum designed to be universally accessible to diverse learners that provides the foundational knowledge and skills of OT in the 1st year, then integrates those skills and knowledge to translate them to practice settings in the 2nd year, and culminates in a 3rd year wherein students demonstrate their mastery of the art and science of occupational therapy through fieldwork and their capstone project. Using a social reform perspective (Pratt, 1998) our curriculum facilitates constant reflection, reconstruction, and critical analysis of dominant views in OT practice, on occupation, of occupational justice, and on occupational engagement. Lastly, The WOU OTD curriculum is future-based (Young, 1999) such that graduates are able to navigate an ever-changing healthcare landscape and society all the while promoting occupational justice and access to occupational engagement that promotes health and well-being.
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program at WOU is the first public doctoral-level occupational therapy (OT) program in Oregon and is designed to prepare students to balance the art and science of OT practice as entry-level therapists. Occupational therapists work with individuals, groups, and organizations to promote health and wellness across the age span so that everyone can strive to live life to the fullest. Occupational therapy practitioners use occupations (meaningful activities) to support individuals in doing the things they want to do, need to do, and are expected to do in daily life.
Students will learn the skills necessary to become outstanding entry-level occupational therapy practitioners across the diverse settings and contexts where occupational therapists work. Students will become skilled in analyzing and applying scientific evidence through artful interventions to support participation and occupational performance for all.
Students will:
Completed applications received after the priority deadline may be considered until the cohort is full or be placed on a waitlist. Apply beginning in November!
Process: You will be notified via email regarding the acceptance status of your complete application.
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program prepares graduates to work with individuals, groups, and populations who are affected by physical, cognitive, psychosocial, mental, developmental, and/or learning challenges, as well as adverse environmental conditions, to maximize their occupational functioning and maintain optimum health through a planned mix of acquired skills, performance motivation, environmental adaptations, assistive technologies, and physical agents. Occupational Therapy education includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, psychology, sociology, client assessment and evaluation, standardized and non-standardized tests and measurements, assistive and rehabilitative technologies, ergonomics, environmental health, special education, vocational counseling, health education and promotion, health advocacy, and professional standards and ethics.
The OTD program is a three-year professional doctorate degree that will prepare students for careers as occupational therapists and faculty in Occupational Therapy programs. The program is built upon a foundation of human occupation, lifespan development, mental health, anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, and neuroscience that supports evaluation and assessment, applied research, intervention and rehabilitation, clinical practice, and advocacy. The program will meet all national accreditation requirements as prescribed by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The sixty-one learning outcomes required of all ACOTE accredited programs will be delivered over 11 terms, including 24 weeks of Level II Clinical Fieldwork and a 14 week Doctoral Capstone Experience.
Is there a specific degree required for entry? No, any four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent) from regionally accredited institution as defined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars is acceptable.
What’s the deadline for completing my baccalaureate degree and pre-requisite courses? The majority of pre-requisite courses should be completed by the end of the spring term prior to entering the program. A small number of pre-requisite courses may be completed summer term before entry, but documentation of successful completion must be submitted prior to beginning the program. Acceptance into the program will be contingent upon successful completion of all pre-requisites prior to the start of the fall entry term.
How recently must pre-requisite courses be taken? Pre-requisite courses must be completed within the 10-year period leading up to entry to the program.
Can I transfer in credits from another occupational therapy school? The WOU OT program is not able to accept credits from another occupational therapy school as a substitute for required coursework.
Are observation or service hours required for application? You are highly encouraged to shadow occupational therapy practitioners in a variety of settings prior to application but it is not absolutely required. Observation hours may be considered during the application review process for candidates who are similarly qualified.
When does the entry-level OTD program start? The program starts one cohort per year in the fall term (late September).
Is the program on semesters or terms? Terms (generally 10 weeks of classes plus a finals week).
How is the program structured? We follow a cohort model so that students will start and progress through the program as a group. Once beginning the program, you will be in classes or clinical experience year-round for a total of 11-terms. The first two years will be primarily in person, predominantly at the WOU:Salem campus, while the third year will be primarily clinical experiences (Level II Fieldwork and Doctoral Capstone Experience) with some supporting online courses.
Can I attend part-time? At this point we are not offering part-time enrollment; however we are exploring the possibility of offering part-time enrollment at some point in the future.
Do students get summers off? No, the program goes year-round with regular breaks between terms.
How big are the cohorts? The first cohort will enroll approximately 30 students with the number gradually increasing each year until we reach a target of 40 students per cohort.
Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Coordinator,
readh@wou.edu | TODD 103
Director of Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy
roushs@wou.edu | TODD 104
Administrative Program Assistant, Occupational Therapy
stewarta@wou.edu | TODD 105
Occupational Therapy Academic Fieldwork Coordinator ,
vieyrabraendles@wou.edu
To produce socially conscious and evidence-informed OT practitioners that utilize the power of occupation to promote the health and well-being of people and their communities in our region and the larger world.
We envision a world where everyone has access to and the ability to participate in meaningful occupations that support health and well-being.
WOU OTD will achieve this vision by:
The philosophy of Western Oregon University is reflective of the Philosophical Base of Occupational Therapy (AOTA, 2017) and is grounded in the belief that access to and the ability to engage in meaningful occupation is central to the health and well-being of all individuals, groups, and populations. At the heart of the Occupational Therapy Program at Western Oregon University is an unwavering commitment to an educational journey that seamlessly integrates purpose, practice, and pragmatism. Our philosophy is rooted in the conviction that impactful education nurtures critical thinking, humility, and collaborative exploration. Through rigorous academic training, we equip students with the solid theoretical foundation to grasp human occupation, health, and well-being, as well as the clinical skills to effectively work with humans across the lifespan. Experiential learning transforms this knowledge into practical wisdom, cultivating empathy and collaboration with diverse individuals. Our philosophy underscores community engagement and advocacy for social justice, expanding the horizons of occupational therapy beyond clinical confines. By harmonizing purpose, practice, and pragmatism, we drive our mission to cultivate practitioners who ardently champion social and occupational justice, ushering valuable contributions to both the field of occupational therapy and society at large.
We believe that an OTD program should be developmental (Ringsted 2011) and subject-centered (Hooper et al, 2020), such that foundational knowledge and skills grow over time around the core subject of occupation. As students move through the program they will experience a pragmatic curriculum designed to be universally accessible to diverse learners that provides the foundational knowledge and skills of OT in the 1st year, then integrates those skills and knowledge to translate them to practice settings in the 2nd year, and culminates in a 3rd year wherein students demonstrate their mastery of the art and science of occupational therapy through fieldwork and their capstone project. Using a social reform perspective (Pratt, 1998) our curriculum facilitates constant reflection, reconstruction, and critical analysis of dominant views in OT practice, on occupation, of occupational justice, and on occupational engagement. Lastly, The WOU OTD curriculum is future-based (Young, 1999) such that graduates are able to navigate an ever-changing healthcare landscape and society all the while promoting occupational justice and access to occupational engagement that promotes health and well-being.
Email: otd@mail.wou.edu
Phone: 503-751-4054
Postal: OTD Program, Western Oregon University
345 N. Monmouth Avenue Monmouth, OR 97361
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