Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program Courses

OTD 5000 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE FOUNDATIONS (3 credits)
This course explores occupation and the evolving theories and models that enable occupational therapists to engage in authentic, theoretically-sound practices. Students will explore the meaning and complexity of occupation and engage in learning opportunities to gain an understanding of themselves and others as occupational beings. They will be exposed to key literature and engage in discussion and experiences around core principles of client-centered care and the person, environment and occupation terminology as it is used in the practice of occupational therapy. Students will be introduced to disability issues, health ethics, and society’s occupational performance issues and needs.

OTD 5050 HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT IMPACT OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE (3 credits)
This course provides an overview of selected diseases and conditions across the life span affecting daily life. Etiology, pathology, clinical course, prognosis, and medical management, as well as the “lived experience” of these conditions will be presented in order to promote health. Treatment settings from acute hospital care to community programs are explored with the effect of these conditions on participation emphasized.

OTD 5110: EMERGING TRENDS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE I (1 credit)
This first of a two–part series of seminar courses provides students with the opportunity to explore current, emerging, and future trends in OT practice. Students will utilize the most recent research and policy information to critically examine and discuss potential developments in OT practice, including new areas of practice and a focus on community and population health, participation, and well-being. This course presents a broad array of topics that affect occupational therapy practice. Students become familiar with policies, settings, interventions, and resources that support practice.

OTD 5120 EMERGING TRENDS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE II (1 credit)
This course is the second of a series of two seminar courses provides students with the opportunity to explore and discuss current issues that are shaping the world as it becomes more ‘global’. Students will utilize the most recent research, knowledge and policy information to critically examine and discuss current issues in global developments and reflect on how these can influence OT practice. Using examples from low- and middle-income countries, this course will shed a different light on questions pertaining to human development and disability. Students will be encouraged to look beyond the headlines and find the tools to gain a comprehensive analysis of the social, political and economic issues that not only influence their practice as OTs but also impact them as citizens.

OTD 5020: PROFESSIONAL WRITING SEMINAR (1 credit)
This course exposes students to professional writing and helps them transition to graduate-level writing skills necessary to ensure their success in the Methodist University Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program. This course will provide the foundation required to effectively write at the graduate level when pursuing research, formatting academic papers, professional communication techniques, peer review/editing, and other forms of professional writing. Upon completion of this course, students will enhance and implement the skills necessary to write and communicate at a professional graduate level. Assignments/learning activities will include: effective use of APA format, completion of peer reviews, professional communication, and consistent utilization of the Methodist University Writing Center for additional support.

OTD 5250 ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION FOR HUMAN PERFORMANCE (5 credits)
This course is designed to provide an in-depth study of human anatomy, using a regional approach. It will introduce anatomical and medical terminology; provide a foundation on human development and structure fundamental to clinical considerations of function, diagnosis, trauma, and disease. Teaching/learning methodologies and experiences will reflect a multi-modal approach; combining lecture, lab, 3-D computer application and cadaver dissection and prosection. Students will be introduced to resources supporting professional practice and will learn and apply a variety of skills including transfers, documentation, goal-writing, common precautions, monitoring of vital signs, chart reading, orientation to acute care environments, activity analysis, basic splinting and medical terminology.

OTD 5280: THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATIVE CARE (3 credits)
The ability to communicate and work with individuals and groups are essential skills for an occupational therapist. Effective practitioners employ therapeutic use of self, activity grading, behavioral management, and group leadership skills to effect change in those served. Concepts of self-management and basic tenets of learning theories will be introduced and applied to various populations served. Students will begin to consider the psychosocial needs of all clients across the continuum of care. Professional capacities of understanding the current continuum of care settings, professional team roles, and early leadership paradigms will be explored.

OTD 5300 ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE (3 credits)
Through critical analysis and interpretation of professional scientific literature, students build a foundation for life-long learning and evidence-based clinical practice. Evaluation of both qualitative, quantitative, and case report studies is covered. Students learn elements of study design, statistical analysis, and strategies for clinically relevant interpretation of results. Students develop proficiency in locating and critically appraising evidence-based research and integrating evidence into clinical decision making.

OTD 5310 CLINICAL AND COMMUNITY RESEARCH WORKSHOP I (3 credits)
This course is the first of a three-course sequence for the culminating scholarly inquiry experience in the OTD program. In this course, students will develop a proposal for a clinical research or community program evaluation project. This endeavor is the first component of the process that will be continued in Year 2 of the curriculum in which the project is formally executed and finally, presented in Year 3. This project proposal phase will be done under the advisement of faculty with expertise in the research and content areas.

OTD 5320 CLINICAL AND COMMUNITY RESEARCH WORKSHOP II (3 credits)
This course is the second of a three-course sequence for the culminating scholarly inquiry experience in the OTD program. In this course, students will collect data for proposed research projects and begin initial data analysis and begin to develop the initial portions of a written manuscript through an iterative process with peers, the instructor and any clinical or faculty advisors involved in the project. Specifically, students will formalize the methodology, perform piloting, recruit subjects, and perform data collection. The project is formally executed through the Fall and Spring of Year 2 and finally, presented in Year 3. This course will prepare students for the remainder of the scholarly inquiry course sequence, which culminates in the dissemination of their scholarly product. This project will be done under the advisement of faculty with expertise in the research and content areas.

OTD 5330 CLINICAL AND COMMUNITY RESEARCH WORKSHOP III (2 credits)
This course is the third of a three-course sequence for the culminating scholarly inquiry experience in the OTD program. In this course, students will develop a proposal for a clinical research or community program evaluation project. This endeavor is the first component of the process that will be continued in Year 2 of the curriculum in which the project is formally executed and finally, presented in Year 3. This project proposal phase will be done under the advisement of faculty with expertise in the research and content areas.

OTD 5350: DISSEMINATION OF CLINICAL AND COMMUNITY RESEARCH (3 credits)
This course revisits the Clinical and Community Research sequence for the culminating research experience in the OTD program. In this course, students will prepare manuscripts and presentations (podium and/or poster) to disseminate their culminating research project results. During this course students will submit a product to either a peer-reviewed journal and/or a national conference. This project will be done under the advisement of faculty with expertise in the research and content areas.

OTD 5400 PROFESSIONAL OT SKILLS & TECHNIQUES I (3 credits)
This course serves as an introduction to the essential skills required of therapists in contemporary clinical practice. Students will be introduced to resources supporting professional practice and will learn and apply a variety of skills including transfers, documentation, goal-writing, common precautions, monitoring of vital signs, chart reading, orientation to acute care environments, activity analysis, basic splinting and medical terminology.

OTD 5420 PROFESSIONAL OT SKILLS & TECHNIQUES II (3 credits)
This course is the second of a two-course series that serves as an introduction to the essential skills required of therapists in contemporary clinical practice. Students will be introduced to resources supporting professional practice and will learn and apply a variety of skills including advanced documentation, physical agents and modalities, basic ADL and IADL training concepts, orthotic fabrication, and basic feeding & eating concepts.

OTD 5450: ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IMPACTING OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE (2 credits)
This course provides an in-depth understanding of the psychological, social, political, physical, and cultural elements of the environment that influence public health, participation, well-being and quality of life. Disability, as the consequence of environmental barriers and the relationship between the person and environments across the life span, will be discussed. Disability prevention will be addressed. Assessment and intervention strategies that maximize participation in daily activities and prevent disabilities will be examined in home, school, workplace, and other community settings.

OTD 5500 FUNCTIONAL NEUROSCIENCE (3 credits)
Students learn how the brain and nervous system support the sensory, perceptual, cognitive, emotional and physiological capacity of individuals as they engage in the activities of daily life. Emphasis is placed on sensory processing, motor processing, cognitive performance, learning and memory, and communication. This course is designed to provide students with an integrated understanding of how occupational performance may be altered by individual variations in structure and function of person’s neurobiological systems across the life span; thus, laying the groundwork for the occupational therapy evaluation and intervention.

OTD 5600 EVALUATION OF OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE I (3 credits)
Students apply foundational theory and principles to occupational performance through assessment of anatomical structures and physiological health. Students learn how to identify sensory, cognitive, perceptual, and emotional performance capacities of individuals by focusing on neuroanatomical and neuro-physiological substrates of sensory, motor, arousal, cognitive, motivational and emotional systems. The students connect the neuroscience of the physiological, neurobehavioral, cognitive and psychological systems to the motor, process and communication performance skills and performance patterns that support occupational performance. Students will build clinical reasoning for core OT practice skills including assessment of person, occupation and environment factors, activity analysis and activity gradation, observation, administering and interpreting assessments, building measurement models, and documenting the evaluation process. Students will apply measurement principles and skills in selection, administration and interpretation of assessments through case studies, laboratory and/or in-context experiences.

OTD 5620 EVALUATION OF OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE II (3 credits)
Students apply foundational theory and principles to occupational performance. Standardized assessments of
participation, activities of daily living, occupational performance, and pediatrics will be emphasized. Using activity analysis, the students connect the neuroscience of the physiological, neurobehavioral, cognitive and psychological systems to the motor, process and communication performance skills and performance patterns that support occupational performance. Students will build clinical reasoning for core OT practice skills including assessment of person, occupation and environment factors, activity analysis and activity gradation, observation, administering and interpreting assessments, building measurement models, and documenting the evaluation process. Students will apply measurement principles and skills in selection, administration and interpretation of assessments through case studies, laboratory and/or in-context experiences.

OTD 5750 HUMAN MOVEMENT TO SUPPORT OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE (2 credits)
In this course, students apply biomechanical principles to occupational performance. Biomechanics is concerned with the mechanical/anatomical bases of human movement. An interdisciplinary approach is used in which concepts from anatomy, physiology, and physics (mechanics) are integrated. This course also investigates tissue biomechanical properties required during the production of movements.

OTD 5800 HEALTH PROMOTION AND SELF-MANAGEMENT (3 credits)
This course will address ways to meet the needs of clients with chronic diseases and conditions through community resources and self-management strategy training that extend beyond hospital delivered systems of insured care. Students will learn to develop partnerships with community agencies to reach populations affected by chronic disease. Students will study health promotion and preventive individual and group models of service delivery for community-dwelling people. Students will explore theory-driven, evidence-based health education solutions for consumers with chronic conditions to strengthen their community participation. Students will engage in therapeutic education, empowering people to manage their conditions and connect with community resources for health promotion, prevention and wellness.

OTD 6000 INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF ADULTS IN REHAB. SETTINGS (4 credits)
This course is designed to provide the foundation skills for evidence-based intervention for adults with neurologic or orthopedic conditions. Students will learn OT intervention approaches and clinical reasoning for individuals with a variety of conditions and barriers to participation. Building from what the students have learned about theory, evaluation and assessment, the learning experiences in this course will provide opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate professional competencies and behaviors necessary to develop and implement theoretically-sound and evidence-based interventions to address sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments associated with these conditions. Students will explore policies, theories, targeted outcome measurement. Related skills in documentation, goal setting, reimbursement and ethical issues which may arise will be incorporated into classroom discussions and assignments.

OTD 6020 INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES (4 credits)
This course is designed to provide the foundation skills for evidence-based intervention for young children, adolescents and families. Students will learn OT intervention approaches and clinical reasoning for individuals and families with a variety of conditions and barriers to participation. Learning activities will explore policies, theories, and targeted outcome measurement. Building from what the students have learned about theory, evaluation and assessment, this course will provide opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate professional competencies and behaviors necessary to develop and implement theoretically-sound and evidence-based pediatric interventions. Related skills in documentation, goal setting, reimbursement and ethical issues which may arise will be incorporated into classroom discussions and assignments.

OTD 6100 PSYCHOSOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide the foundation skills for evidence-based intervention for individuals with mental health and psychosocial challenges across the lifespan. Students will learn OT intervention approaches and therapeutic techniques for individuals with mental illness and other psychosocial diagnoses. Building from what the students have learned about theory, evaluation and assessment, the learning experiences in this course will provide opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate professional competencies and behaviors necessary to develop and implement theoretically-sound and evidence-based psychosocial interventions. Related skills in documentation, goal setting, reimbursement and ethical issues which may arise will be incorporated into classroom discussions and assignments. A 40-hour extended in-context fieldwork experience in a mental health setting will be incorporated as an integrated learning activity.

OTD 6120 INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF OLDER ADULTS (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide the foundation skills for evidence-based intervention for older adults with a variety of acquired and chronic conditions as well as limitations related to the healthy aging process. Students will explore policies, theories, targeted outcome measurement and OT intervention approaches and clinical reasoning for individuals with a variety of conditions and barriers to participation. Building from what the students have learned about theory, evaluation and assessment, the learning experiences in this course will provide opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate professional competencies and behaviors necessary to develop and implement theoretically-sound and evidence-based interventions to address sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments associated with these conditions. Related skills in documentation, goal setting, reimbursement and ethical issues which may arise will be incorporated into classroom discussions and assignments.

OTD 6150 SUPPORTING OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE WITH TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTS (3 credits)
This course introduces assistive technology (AT) and adaptive equipment as an environmental intervention to preserve, augment or improve social, emotional, physical and academic well-being. Equipment, mobility devices, physical environment and home modifications and computer technology will be explored. Intervention strategies that maximize participation in daily activities for people with varying limitations and disabilities will be examined in home, school, workplace, and community settings.

OTD 6180 MANAGEMENT AND POLICY FOR A DYNAMIC OT PRACTICE ENVIRONMENT (3 credits)
This course applies healthcare policy, management and organizational principles to occupational therapy services in current and evolving practice environments. Through discussions with business professionals and case studies, this course highlights organizational, managerial, marketing, financial, regulatory, and funding influences on the development, delivery and evaluation of OT practice. This course is designed to encourage students to integrate knowledge gained from studies in policy, advocacy and community practice.

OTD 6240 CLINICAL CASE-BASED LEARNING I (2 credits)
In this first course of a two-semester sequence, students are engaged in learning experiences that includes divergent case method, inquiry learning, and problem–based learning. Using a self-directed learning process, clinical reasoning and group process skills, students apply the OT process and explore practice problems. They learn to apply specific occupational therapy evaluations and intervention techniques for persons of all ages and disability categories. The cases are integrated with material covered concurrently in the Interventions courses and focus on direct clinical treatment interventions.

OTD 6260 CLINICAL CASE-BASED LEARNING II (2 credits)
In this second course of a two-semester sequence, students are engaged in learning experiences that includes divergent case method, inquiry learning, and problem–based learning. Using a self-directed learning process, clinical reasoning and group process skills, students apply the OT process and explore practice problems. They learn to apply specific occupational therapy evaluations and intervention techniques for persons of all ages and disability categories. The cases are integrated with material covered concurrently in the Interventions courses and focus on direct clinical treatment interventions.

OTD 6700 INTRODUCTION TO DOCTORAL CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE & PROJECT (1 credit)
This course is part of the experiential capstone component of the MU OTD Program. Students engage in planning and developing individual the capstone experience by drafting a learning plan with learning goals and learning activities to execute part III and IV of the Capstone Curriculum (Capstone Practice Model & Culminating Capstone Project) during summer year 3 as students develop advanced skills (those beyond a generalist level).

OTD 6500 FIELDWORK AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE I (2 credits)
This is the first course in a series that emphasizes the growth of the student as a professional. This course is the first fieldwork class that prepares students for their fieldwork experiences and sets the stage for the Preparation for Professional Practice course. This course will focus on the value of fieldwork in developing entry-level skills. Students will participate in self-directed learning experiences to enhance personal growth and professional competence. An intensive one week, 40-hour, supervised fieldwork experience in a clinical or community setting allows the student to practice the skills learned in the classroom.

OTD 6510 FIELDWORK AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE II (2 credits)
This is the second course in a series that emphasizes the growth of the student as a professional. Students will develop an electronic professional portfolio and participate in self-directed learning experiences to enhance personal growth and professional competence. An intensive one week, 40 hour supervised fieldwork experience in a clinical or community setting allows the student to practice the skills learned in the classroom. Students will be introduced to various OT practice areas and given the opportunity to observe OT in various practice settings.

OTD 6600 CLINICAL FIELDWORK IIA (6 credits)
Provides full-time clinical fieldwork experiences under the supervision of an occupational therapist. Students’ participation includes in-depth experience in delivering occupational therapy services to clients including evaluation, treatment and intervention. Students have the opportunity to practice in a variety of clinical or community-based settings with populations ranging across the lifespan between the two placements. During the fieldwork process, students are expected to assume increasing responsibilities related to patient or client care. The fieldwork experience is designed to promote clinical reasoning, professionalism and competency. Duration is 12 weeks.

OTD 6620 CLINICAL FIELDWORK IIB (6 credits)
Provides full-time clinical fieldwork experiences under the supervision of an occupational therapist. Students’
participation includes in-depth experience in delivering occupational therapy services to clients including evaluation, treatment and intervention. Students have the opportunity to practice in a variety of clinical or community-based settings with populations ranging across the lifespan between the two placements. During the fieldwork process, students are expected to assume increasing responsibilities related to patient or client care. The fieldwork experience is designed to promote clinical reasoning, professionalism and competency. Duration is 12 weeks.

OTD 6800 LEADERSHIP SEMINAR FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS (2 credits)
This course is designed to provide an exploration of leadership practice and theory to foster leadership in health
organizations and across interconnected disciplines. This course will address leadership through a study of the individual and the values that create the basis for all decisions made by leaders. Topics will include the values, conditions, and organizational factors that an autonomous healthcare professional needs to have and to understand in order to lead effectively as well as leadership theories and styles. Special emphasis will be placed on integrating knowledge and concepts related to management, professional advocacy, and organizational change.

OTD 6810 CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE MODEL DEVELOPMENT (4 credits)
This course forms the capstone of the OTD program. Students are engaged in a seminar focusing on both intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence occupational performance. The work will form an occupation-based model for either an established or an emerging area of practice. The student will develop a model that is evidence-based, client-centered, is based on theory and fosters participation. The course itself has a life span focus as students work plan models for infants through to aging and the students learn from each other through critical analysis and presentation of readings relevant to their own population.

OTD 6850 TEACHING AND EDUCATION STRATEGIES (3 credits)
This course offers an opportunity for students to explore innovative teaching methods and learning theories underlying practice, teaching tools, resources, and strategies. The knowledge in this course will provide the foundation required to create and prepare numerous presentations for classroom instruction, clinical & community-based in-services and professional presentations. Skills gained through this course will allow our graduates to be recognized as engaged, contemporary professionals. Activities will include designing and implementing teaching session(s), shared reflection on developing teaching skills in self and peers, critical reading, writing, and peer support.

OTD 6920 PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITY AND POPULATION HEALTH (3 credits)
This course examines community health and education practices for groups, communities, and populations and bridges the biomedical and sociocultural aspects of health through program development. Practice models are explored for health promotion, facilitating occupational performance and wellness, and population health across the lifespan and in different community-based settings. Students will learn community practice skills, including needs assessment, negotiating community partnerships, program planning and program evaluation. Students will develop an evidence driven, theory-based program that is capacity building for a community group or agency.

OTD 6990 PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY SEMINAR (2 credits)
This course is designed for the review and integration of occupational therapy knowledge, concepts, and skills in
preparation for participation in the Doctoral Experiential Component, completion of the NBCOT licensure exam, and autonomous clinical practice. Students will be presented with comprehensive case scenarios that will serve as the foundation for review of content areas and focused discussions. This course concludes with comprehensive examinations that will capture the student’s competency in all content areas and safe clinical decision-making skills to identify student’s readiness to proceed as an independent practitioner. The comprehensive examination must be passed to proceed with the final Doctoral Experiential Component.

OTD 7000 DOCTORAL EXPERIENTIAL COMPONENT (6 credits)
This course provides a customized experience specific to the doctoral pursuits of the student. Students may participate in research, policy, clinical practice, advocacy, teaching, or leadership endeavors. Students are expected to achieve site specific goals established by the student, their doctoral mentor and the DEC site supervisor. Duration is 16 weeks. The DEC is the capstone experience for students pursuing their clinical doctorate in occupational therapy which compliments and extends their doctoral training. Prerequisites: OTD 6990, OTD 6700