OTD-Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Note: applications are not being accepted for admission to this program.

INTRODUCTION

The post-professional OTD curriculum is designed to prepare practicing occupational therapists to become advanced practitioners capable of serving as evidence-based leaders. The capstone component is an integral part of the program. It is designed to develop occupational therapists with advanced knowledge/skills in one of the following eight areas: clinical practice, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory development.

MISSION

The mission of the post-professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (ppOTD) program is to enable occupational therapists in any practice area or other position in health, education, community practice or other arenas to develop roles and skills beyond that of the therapist-clinician; to educate them to become practitioner-scholars who can translate knowledge including cross-disciplinary theories and research) into practice and who are capable of serving as agents of change in new and expanded arenas.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The Office of Graduate Admissions and the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Department receives and reviews applications for the post-professional OTD program on a rolling basis. The electronic application can be located at www.apply.gannon.edu. After completing the application, candidates must submit supplemental materials to the Office of Graduate admissions. This includes but is not limited to, the following information: academic transcripts, OT licensure, AOTA national and state membership, curriculum vitae/resume, and references.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Acceptance requirements into the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate program will be based on the following:

• Completed master’s degree

• Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy (Bachelor’s degree with extensive OT practice background will be considered)

• Minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

• OT license (in state of practice)

• AOTA and state OT organization membership

Application Procedures for the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program:

• Submit online graduate application (apply.gannon.edu) and materials:

  • Official transcript from all prior institutions

  • One letter of recommendation

  • Copy of OT license

  • Curriculum vitae or professional resume

  • Personal statement of professional and educational goals

STUDENT SUCCESS ONLINE

Gannon’s Online Engagement Coordinator facilitates our online new student orientations, implements strategies to ensure that online students are active in their online courses, and provides general online student support through various high-touch methods to engage students and support student retention efforts. Gannon online students can contact our Office of Distance Education with general questions about online learning or how to remotely access Gannon’s comprehensive student services.