Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.)


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Admissions Information    

Student Learning Outcomes  

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at USD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy (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.

With a foundation in generalist practice, students may have the opportunity to focus their research, fieldwork experiences, and capstone in a recognized practice area through a Practice Specialization. Specializations are offered in the areas of Pediatrics, Neurorehabilitation, Mental Health, and Rural/Underserved practice.

Program Overview:


You will gain a holistic perspective that considers the physical, psychological and social needs of your clients and understand the importance of adapting the environment to fit the person. The new Sanford Coyote Sports Center, a state-of-the-art building, offers teaching, learning and clinic space all in one location. Choose areas of specialization in mental health, neuroscience & rehabilitation, rural/under-served populations or pediatrics. This program has been accredited by ACOTE since 1993. Learn more at usd.edu/ot.

DELIVERY: On campus

Doctor of Occupational Therapy


Total 114-117 credit hours
*Denotes course available only to students in the specialization track.

Student must select one of the 5 available tracks:


There are four optional specializations (student who choose not to specialize follow the nonspecialization track). The specializations are only available to enrolled Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree-seeking students. It is awarded after successful completion of the identified program of study with a minimum of a B attained in all coursework leading to the Specialization (30 - 33 credits), and an A earned in a minimum of 24 credits.

  • Nonspecialization (24 credit hours-this is the standard program without specialized courses needed for the following 4 optional specializations)
  • Mental Health specialization (30 credit hours)
  • Neuroscience & Rehabilitation specialization (30 credit hours)
  • Pediatrics specialization (32-33 credit hours)
  • Rural/Underserved specialization (32 credit hours)

Mental Health specialization (30 hours)


**Mental Health Specialization: Students must achieve a minimum of a 3.0 in OCTH 747, OCTH 777, OCTH 784, OCTH 786, OCTH 800, OCTH 831, OCTH 832, and the elective course with a minimum of 24 credits earned at a 4.0. Focus of research project in OCTH 784 and OCTH 786 and capstone proposal in OCTH 800 must be in Mental Health.

Neuroscience & Rehabilitation specialization (30 hours)


**Neuroscience & Rehabilitation Specialization: Students must achieve a minimum of a 3.0 in OCTH 721, OCTH 776, OCTH 784, OCTH 786, OCTH 800, OCTH 821, OCTH 822, and OCTH 792 with a minimum of 24 credits earned at a 4.0. Focus of research project in OCTH 784 and OCTH 786 and capstone proposal in OCTH 800 must be in Neuroscience & Rehabilitation

Pediatrics specialization (32 or 33 hours)


**Pediatric Specialization: Students must achieve a minimum of a 3.0 in OCTH 715, OCTH 756, OCTH 775, OCTH 784, OCTH 786, OCTH 800, OCTH 811, OCTH 812, and the elective course with a minimum of 24 credits earned at a 4.0. Focus of research project in OCTH 784 and OCTH 786 and capstone proposal in OCTH 800 must be in Pediatrics

Rural/Underserved specialization (32 hours)


**Rural/Underserved Specialization: Students must achieve a minimum of a 3.0 in OCTH 733, OCTH 734, OCTH 778, OCTH 784, OCTH 786, OCTH 800, OCTH 841, OCTH 842, and the elective course with a minimum of 24 credits earned at a 4.0. Focus of research project in OCTH 784 and OCTH 786 and capstone proposal in OCTH 800 must be in Rural/Underserved.

Application Requirements


  1. Completed application
  2. $35 application fee
  3. Official transcripts*
  4. Letters of recommendation*
  5. Admission test scores*
  6. Statement of purpose
  7. Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. For specific program requirements and submission deadline, visit: catalog.usd.edu.

Accelerated O.T.D. Standard Program


Admissions Information  

This 3+3 program is available, by application, to eligible University of South Dakota students in the following programs with the O.T.D. standard program and:

  1. Health Sciences, B.S.-Clinical Studies Specialization only
  2. Kinesiology and Sport Management, B.S.-Exercise Science specialization only
  3. Neuroscience, B.S.-Cognitive Neuroscience specialization only

The accelerated track will allow the undergraduate program to count 20 hours of the 1st year of OTD towards the electives in the B.S. degree. The student will complete 100 hours by the end of the 3rd year towards the undergraduate degree.

[key word search: 3+3 or 3 plus 3 program]

Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification


The educational curriculum for your academic program may or may not meet educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification in states other than South Dakota. If you are planning to apply for licensure/certification in a state other than South Dakota after completion of your program, please review that state and your program on USD’s Licensure-Track Programs webpage. Licensure-Track Programs

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

QUESTIONS?


Department of Occupational Therapy

605-658-5999 | ot@usd.edu | usd.edu/ot

Graduate Admissions

605-658-6200 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad

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