Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Doctor of occupational therapy courses include a mix of lectures, lab, and fieldwork learning. You’ll take classes such as: 

• Occupation and Adaption Across the Lifespan
• The Neuroscience of Occupational Performance
• Mindful Practice and Wellness
• Movement in Occupation
• Principles of Practice IV: Pediatric Occupational Therapy
• Contemporary Issues: School-Based Consultation and Intervention
• Ethics, Professional Communication and Advocacy 
• Population Health
• Current Issues in Practice: Adulthood and Aging
• Community Living Supports
• Entrepreneurship in Occupational Therapy 
• Management and Supervision of Occupational Therapy Services

Refer to the graduate catalog for full OTD degree requirements, course descriptions, and required sequence. 

Put learning into action through fieldwork experiences.

• Level I Fieldwork focuses on professional behaviors and refining “soft skills” that are essential to the field. These experiences, which take place on and off campus, include small group exercises, patient simulations, and telehealth activities. 
• Level II Fieldwork focuses on developing and practicing the skills of an entry-level occupational therapist in a professional setting. 

Learn more about our OTD fieldwork experiences. 

The doctoral capstone is the culmination of your experience in the OTD program at Monmouth. You’ll work with your faculty mentor and capstone coordinator to develop a scholarly, evidence-based project that aligns with your 14-week Doctoral Capstone Experience and your professional goals. You’ll prepare for this research-rich endeavor throughout the program with classes such as:

• Research for Evidence-Based Practice
• Quantitative Methods in Occupational Therapy Research
• Qualitative and Mixed Methods in Occupational Therapy 
• Mentored Scholarship 
• Professional Portfolio/Capstone Project I, II, III, and IV

During your final semester, you’ll present your capstone to your peers, faculty members, and the broader OT community at Monmouth. Learn more about the OTD capstone.

To apply to Monmouth’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, you can submit an application online through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS).

Post-Baccalaureate Entry Admission Requirements

The post-baccalaureate program allows for students to enter the program after completing their undergraduate degree program.

Applicants are evaluated for admission based on academic preparation; quality of references; insightful goals in personal statement; successful completion of observation hours and academic prerequisites; work and service activities.

To be considered for admission:

• Bachelor’s Degree – A bachelor’s degree (or US equivalent) must be completed at the time of application or completed by the time the program begins. A degree in any area of study will be accepted.
• Observation Hours – 60 hours of observation in a minimum of two practice settings must be completed prior to admission to the program. Examples of settings are: adults, geriatrics, pediatric, wellness, LTC, hospitals, community centers, primary care, etc. An OT Observation Form will be provided to complete for each site observed.
• GPA – At least a 3.0 cumulative GPA as well as in the prerequisite courses. (Note: All completed courses will be used in the GPA calculated by OTCAS.)
• Criminal Background Check – Required of all admitted students. Must have prior to first day of class.

Your application must also include: 

• Quality References – Three references are required, with at least one from a healthcare professional. When submitting a letter of recommendation from a healthcare professional (required), applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a letter from a rehabilitation professional, such as an occupational therapy practitioner, physical therapy practitioner, or speech-language pathologist. Examples of other letters of recommendation include academic advisors, work managers, and any professional who may highlight your strengths as a future occupational therapist.
• Writing Sample – Your responses to the questions available in OTCAS.
• Technical Standards – Occupational Therapy Program Essential Skills and Standards Acknowledgement
• The application process also requires an interview with the admissions committee.

The following prerequisite courses must also be completed before matriculation with a B- or better and applicants must have a minimum prerequisite GPA of a 3.0 or better:

• Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (4 credits)
• Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (4 credits)
• Lifespan or Human Development OR three courses to include Childhood, Adolescent and Adult Development OR courses that cover the Lifespan Development (3 credits)
• Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
• Statistics (3 credits)
• English Composition or Technical Writing (3 credits)
• Humanities (i.e. sociology, anthropology, psychology etc.) (3 credits)

**All courses must be completed within five years of application to the program. If any prerequisite course requirement does not meet the 5-year completion time frame, the application will be reviewed by the OT admissions team to determine eligibility. 

Students can indicate their plan for completing any outstanding prerequisites using the OT Prerequisite Course Completion Plan below.

The following items will be required to complete fieldwork and capstone components of the OTD curriculum. Compliance for these items will be discussed in new student orientation.

• Physician’s Clearance 
• Physical Evaluation
• Tuberculosis Testing
  • 2-Step PPD/TB- QuantiFERON Gold/T-SPOT (2 step for the first year)
• FBI Fingerprinting 
• Annual Training Certificates (HIPAA & OSHA)
• CPR Certification
• Flu Vaccination 
• Immunizations (proof of vaccination and/or titers)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  • Hepatitis
  • Varicella
  • Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap)
  • Influenza (annual)
• Medical Insurance

Additional vaccinations may be required for specific clinical placements.

Technology Requirements

The OTD program requires students to have access to personal technology such as a laptop computer, tablet, or PC throughout the duration of the program as well as a working webcam during the hybrid/online courses. Students should reference our Campus Technology Website for detailed suggestions before purchase.

Technology Competency Requirements

The Monmouth OTD program requires completion of coursework in a predominantly traditional week day. However, there are a few courses that are delivered in hybrid/online format. Success in both the online and in person portions of the program requires students to have the ability to navigate the College’s learning management system (eCampus), manage electronic communications, utilize research and information databases, and apply software. Online courses may consist of a combination of scheduled synchronous and asynchronous learning activities; synchronous sessions will require use of the Zoom platform. In person courses will maximize the use of technology with no seat time reduction, using the eCampus learning management system for administration, communication, assessment and content delivery to both supplement and enhance the face to face experience. Prior to starting coursework, all students will be required to complete an online orientation through eCampus that will prepare them to meet the technology requirements of the online portions of the program. Additionally, students will have ongoing access to the Help Desk to manage questions or concerns with technology while in the program.