EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MEETS ONLINE CONVENIENCE
BRADLEY UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY COURSES
Take your potential to the next level with Bradley University’s online Post-Professional Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (DrOT) curriculum. Throughout your program, you’ll engage with a diverse array of courses meticulously crafted to enrich your clinical insight, research acumen, and leadership skills. Bradley’s Doctorate in OT curriculum is strategically designed to give you the skills you need to lead at the intersection of innovation and advocacy, preparing you to make a profound impact within healthcare and on patients’ lives.
DrOT ONLINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Don’t go at it alone: synchronous classes ensure full faculty support
Gain new perspectives through “flipped classroom” experiences
Learn anywhere with the 100% online program designed for working OTs
DrOT CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Required Courses for BS to DrOT Students
Preliminary Courses
- OTD 685 Introduction to Occupational Science 3 credit hours
- OTD 690 Interprofessional Education 3 credit hours
- OTD 695 Assessment and Evaluation 3 credit hours
Doctorate Courses
- OTD 801 Professional Engagement in OT 3 credit hours
- OTD 803 Evidence-based Clinical Inquiry in OT 3 credit hours
- OTD 811 Research Methods- Quantitative 3 credit hours
- OTD 813 Research Methods- Qualitative 3 credit hours
- OTD 821 Practice and Research Ethics 3 credit hours
- OTD 823 Educational Principles in OT 3 credit hours
- OTD-831 OT Professional Advocacy 3 credit hours
- OTD 833 Advanced Practice Trends in OT 3 credit hours
- OTD 841 Management Strategies in OT 3 credit hours
- OTD 843 EBP Project 1- Discovery and Design 3 credit hours
- OTD 845 EBP Project 2- Implementation 3 credit hours
Total: 42 credit hours
Required Courses for MS to DrOT Students
Doctorate Courses
- OTD 801 Professional Engagement in OT 3 credit hours
- OTD 803 Evidence-based Clinical Inquiry in OT 3 credit hours
- OTD 811 Research Methods- Quantitative 3 credit hours
- OTD 813 Research Methods- Qualitative 3 credit hours
- OTD 821 Practice and Research Ethics 3 credit hours
- OTD 823 Educational Principles in OT 3 credit hours
- OTD-831 OT Professional Advocacy 3 credit hours
- OTD 833 Advanced Practice Trends in OT 3 credit hours
- OTD 841 Management Strategies in OT 3 credit hours
- OTD 843 EBP Project 1- Discovery and Design 3 credit hours
- OTD 845 EBP Project 2- Implementation 3 credit hours
Total: 33 credit hours
DrOT COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
All students will complete the following 33 credit hours of courses to earn their OT doctorate.
Doctorate in OT Courses
OTD 801 - Professional Engagement in OT (3 credit hours)
The focus of this course is to assist practicing occupational therapists in defining their personal career goals and creating a plan to achieve those goals. Students will refine self-reflection skills and leverage various resources for advancement. Students will explore concepts related to emotional intelligence and career mapping to develop the career plan. Prerequisite: Admission to the DrOT Program.
OTD 803 - Evidence-based Clinical Inquiry in OT (3 credit hours)
This course introduces evidence-based practice methods with skill development through developing practice-based questions, use of search engine databases, and other resources. Students are introduced to appraising the quality of evidence. A deeper understanding of evidence and its impact on occupational therapy practice is a primary focus. Prerequisite: OTD 801.
OTD 811 - Research Methodology- Quantitative Methods (3 credit hours)
This course overviews common quantitative research methodologies seen in occupational therapy research. Students learn selection, application, and interpretation of basic correlational and inferential statistics through the design of quantitative studies and data collection tools. Students design quantitative studies and data collection tools while learning to analyze and disseminate study outcomes. Students learn to develop IRB proposals and study designs for quantitative studies. Prerequisite: OTD 803.
OTD 813 - Research Methodology- Qualitative Methods (3 credit hours)
This course overviews the common qualitative and mixed method research methodologies seen in occupational therapy research. Students design qualitative studies and data collection tools while learning to analyze and disseminate study outcomes. Students learn to develop IRB proposals and study designs for qualitative and mixed method research. Prerequisite: OTD 803.
OTD 821 - Practice and Research Ethics (3 credit hours)
This course provides an overview of the ethical and legal considerations of conducting research and practice. Students will identify and problem-solve ethical dilemmas in a variety of practice settings and assess legal implications to practice based on the ethical dilemmas. Students apply knowledge related to research ethics based on CITI training. Prerequisite: OTD 801.
OTD 823 - Educational Principles in OT (3 credit hours)
This course engages students in examining educational principles in everyday practice. Students will deepen the knowledge of various educational pedagogies and learning styles to be effective in educational pursuits in a multitude of practice settings. Students learn how various teaching strategies are informed by pedagogy and learning styles. Basic principles for curriculum design and development will be introduced. Prerequisite: OTD 801.
OTD 831 - OT Professional Advocacy (3 credit hours)
This course addresses cultural competency and advocacy skills in order to facilitate occupational therapy services for underserved populations. Students develop awareness of diversity factors and social determinants of health that impede access to health services for individuals, populations, and societies. Students will gain knowledge in multiple methods of advocacy including grant writing, information systems, health and public policy, political activism, professional networks, and social change initiatives. Prerequisite: OTD 801.
OTD 833 - Advanced Practice Trends in OT (3 credit hours)
In this course, students develop the skills to identify emerging practice areas based on current healthcare trends identified by American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) emerging practice areas and niches. To advance the profession, students gain skills in assessing needs and developing action plans for occupational therapy services in various settings. Students learn a systematic approach to addressing population and societal needs through expanding occupational therapy practice. Prerequisite: OTD 801.
OTD 841 - Management Strategies in OT (3 credit hours)
In this course, leadership and management strategies are applied through analysis of program development and evaluation. Students gain expertise in outcomes assessment, case management, business planning, personnel management, and emotional intelligence. Students gain knowledge in basic budgeting and marketing through entrepreneurship. Prerequisite: OTD 801.
OTD 843 - Evidence-based Project Discovery and Design (3 credit hours)
In this course, students explore and design individualized evidence-based projects in advanced practice areas based on professional interests under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students complete a thorough evidence review and explore resources needed to contribute to the success of the project. The culminating project relates research to practice and synthesis of advanced knowledge and skills using knowledge translation. Synthesis and application of advanced knowledge and evidence-based approaches may include clinical practice, education, research, technology, leadership/ administration, advocacy, or entrepreneur opportunities. Prerequisites: OTD 801, OTD 811, OTD 813.
OTD 845 - Evidence-based Project Implementation (3 credit hours)
Students implement the previously designed evidence-based project during this course. The overall goal of advancing the occupational therapy body of knowledge and scholarly dissemination of the information is emphasized. Elements of the project include strategy implementation, outcomes evaluation, and presentation of the final product. The project has written objectives and assessment measures approved by the faculty advisor. Prerequisites: OTD 801, OTD 811, OTD 813, OTD 843.
BSOT to DrOT PRELIMINARY OT COURSES
Students beginning the program with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy will need to complete these three courses before moving on to the advanced OT courses that make up the occupational therapy doctorate.
Preliminary OT Courses
OTD 685 - Introduction to Occupational Science (3 hours)
This course examines the relationship between environment, occupations, and context on occupational performance. Students will be able to define key concepts and theoretical models influencing occupational engagement across the lifespan. Prerequisite: Admission to DrOT Program.
OTD 690 - Introduction to Interprofessional Education (3 hours)
This course overviews fundamentals of interprofessional education in various settings. Students develop communication strategies for effective interprofessional collaboration. Cultural influences and team dynamics are also examined in this course. Prerequisite: Admission to DrOT Program.
OTD 695 - Assessment and Evaluation (3 hours)
This course addresses the occupational therapy evaluation selection process for evidence-based assessment. Students analyze standardized and non-standardized assessment based on psychometrics and testing procedures. Students refine documentation to effectively convey skilled services through assessment data analysis. Prerequisite: Admission to DrOT Program.
ADMISSIONS DATES AND DEADLINES
Spring 2025
Nov
15
Final Application Deadline
November 15, 2024
Spring 2025
Jan
22
Start Date
January 22, 2025
Spring 2025
Summer 2025
Apr
15
Final Application Deadline
April 15, 2025
Summer 2025
May
21
Start Date
May 21, 2025
Summer 2025
Fall 2025
Jul
20
Final Application Date
July 20, 2025
Fall 2025
Aug
27
Start Date
August 27, 2025
Fall 2025
TAKE YOUR CAREER AND STUDENTS FURTHER
Eager to elevate your occupational therapy career? Bradley’s Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy online can help you take the first step toward becoming an influential educator or thought leader in the field of OT. Fill out the form to receive more information.
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Bradley University is authorized to deliver online programs to US citizens and permanent residents residing in the United States. International students are encouraged to inquire about on-campus opportunities by visiting Bradley University International Admissions.