Program Requirements
The Doctor of Clinical Science (CScD) program in Occupational Therapy is offered 100% online on a part-time basis and requires completion of 72 post-baccalaureate credits. Students with an entry-level master’s degree in occupational therapy or a baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy and an advanced level master’s degree in occupational therapy or another field may be eligible to transfer up to 30 credits from their master’s degree, leaving a remaining 42 credits. With a transfer of 30 credits, students are able to complete the program in as little as 7 terms or 28 months. Students without a master’s degree will be required to complete 72 credits, culminating in a longer program of study.
This program also offers an Advanced Practice Certificate in Implementation of Evidence in Clinical Practice , which is earned upon completion of the CScD in Occupational Therapy degree or can be earned on a standalone basis.
Curriculum and Course Descriptions
The program requires the completion of 72 credits (up to 30 credits may be transferred from a master’s degree, potentially leaving a remaining 42 credits in the CScD in Occupational Therapy program). Each student will be paired with a faculty mentor who will oversee the development, implementation and grading of Preliminary and Comprehensive Examinations necessary to complete the program. Required courses are held in the fall, spring and summer terms.
Clinical Science Doctoral Committee
Each student will be assigned a faculty mentor by the end of their first term in the program. The mentor will work with the student to design a capstone project and invite two additional faculty or community leaders to participate on the doctoral capstone committee. This committee will oversee the development, implementation and grading of the comprehensive examination.
Preliminary Examination
The preliminary examination is a portfolio comprised of a series of artifacts including select course assignments, a reflection paper and a capstone draft proposal. Questions will address assessment concepts, intervention/education concepts, evidence and an implementation plan in the student’s chosen area of interest. Students must successfully pass the preliminary examination before they can initiate their capstone project.
Comprehensive Examination
A capstone project will be developed and implemented by the student in collaboration with the doctoral committee. The comprehensive examination is the culminating written summary and oral defense of the capstone project. Students must successfully pass both the written and oral components of the comprehensive examination to complete the CScD in Occupational Therapy program.
Plan of Study
CScD in Occupational Therapy Degree Courses
All students will take the following courses:
Following completion of the 34 credits of online courses, CScD in Occupational Therapy students will culminate their matriculation through the program with an eight-credit capstone project. With the support of a faculty mentor, students will individually design and complete a capstone project that demonstrates their advanced knowledge for implementing evidence into practice.
*Required courses for the Advanced Practice Certificate in Implementation of Evidence in Clinical Practice .
Academic Standards
In addition to following University-wide academic rules and regulations as detailed in the General Academic Regulations section of this Catalog, the CScD in Occupational Therapy program is regulated by the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Academic Standards, as well as the departmental Student Handbook on Academic and Clinical Requirements.
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