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The OTD program is a 32 month (8 term) professional course of study requiring 99 credits, including fieldwork education and a Doctoral Capstone that includes a capstone experience (Experiential Preceptorship) and capstone project. Students in the OTD program must successfully complete all didactic coursework, Level II fieldwork, and pass a competency examination prior to the commencement of the Doctoral Capstone. Students must complete Level II fieldwork and the doctoral capstone experience within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program. 

 

View Program Catalog and Course Descriptions

Plan of Study*

Year 1 - Fall Term - 15 Credits
OT 2200 - FOUNDATIONS OF OCCUPATION
OT 2201 - BODY FUNCTIONS AND STRUCTURES: ANATOMY **
OT 2202 - THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES 1 **
OT 2203 - CLINICAL SEMINAR 1
OT 2207 - PRINCIPLES OF ASSESSMENT **
OT 2208 - CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF EVIDENCE
OT 2234 - HUMAN PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS **

Year 1 - Spring Term - 15 Credits
OT 2205 - NEUROBEHAVORIAL SCIENCE **
OT 2209 - CLINICAL SEMINAR 2
OT 2210 - PSYCHOSOCIAL/COGNITIVE THEORY AND PRACTICE **
OT 2213 - OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND THE HEALTH SYSTEM
OT 2214 - THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES 2 **
OT 2215 - FIELDWORK EDUCATION A (FW I)**
OT 2235 - CLINICAL CONDITIONS 1
OT 2236 - ACTIVITY/CONTEXT THEORY AND PRACTICE

Year 1 - Summer Term - 11 Credits
OT 2216 - CLINICAL SEMINAR 3
OT 2217 - NEUROREHABILITATION THEORY AND PRACTICE **
OT 2218 - BIOMECHANICAL THEORY AND PRACTICE **
OT 2219 - FIELDWORK EDUCATION B (FW I)**
OT 2237 - CLINICAL CONDITIONS 2
OT 2238 - ADAPTATION/TECHNOLOGY THEORY AND PRACTICE

Year 2 - Fall Term - 13 Credits
OT 2220 - CLINICAL SEMINAR 4
OT 2221 - DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY AND PRACTICE **
OT 2222 - PRODUCTIVE AGING THEORY AND PRACTICE **
OT 2224 - MANAGEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE
OT 2226 - FIELDWORK EDUCATION C (FW I)**
OT 2239 - PROJECT DEVELOPMENT 1
OT 2244 - CLINICAL CONDITIONS 3

Year 2 - Spring Term - 13 Credits
OT 2228 - FIELDWORK EDUCATION D (FW II)**
OT 2229 - FIELDWORK EDUCATION E (FW II)**

Year 2 - Summer Term - 7 Credits
OT 2229 - FIELDWORK EDUCATION E  (FW II)**

Year 3 - Fall Term - 12 Credits
OT 3206 - ADVANCED THEORY AND PRACTICE **
OT 3207 - PROJECT DEVELOPMENT 2
OT 3210 - ADVANCED CONCEPTS IN PROFESSIONAL AND CLINICAL REASONING
OT 3211 - ADVANCED CONCEPTS IN HEALTH POLICY AND ADVOCACY
OT 3212 - LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Year 3 - Spring Term - 13 Credits
OT 3208 - EXPERIENTIAL PRECEPTORSHIP **
OT 3213 - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR


* Curriculum is subject to change.
** Course includes laboratory, fieldwork, or experiential component.

Admission to the OTD program is only available on a full-time basis. Term 1 begins the end of August.
A GPA of at least 3.00 is required in the OTD program.
A misdemeanor or felony charge or conviction may affect a student’s ability to complete courses with a clinical component.

PLEASE NOTE: The OTD program requires students to complete fieldwork education and a doctoral capstone experience (Experiential Preceptorship) at facilities external to the University of Pittsburgh. All OTD students are responsible for securing required resources and completing required documents to participate in fieldwork education and the doctoral capstone experience including but not limited to transportation, physical examinations and associated testing (i.e., drug screen, vaccinations), health insurance, liability insurance, background clearances, CPR/AED training, first aid training, education modules, parking, housing, food, and clothing.  Additionally, certification and licensure requirements include inquiries as to whether the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor, a felony, or a felonious or illegal act, including those associated with alcohol and/or substance abuse. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the certification examination or attain state licensure.

OTD Student Manual