OTDR Course Descriptions
Table of Contents
- OTDR 510 Patient/Client Care Management
- OTDR 511 Anatomy Applied to Occupation
- OTDR 512 Occupational Engagement and Theories of Practice
- OTDR 513 Evidence-Informed Practice
- OTDR 514 Domains of Occupational Therapy
- OTDR 521 Scholarly Design
- OTDR 522 Process of Occupational Therapy
- OTDR 523 Conditions Impacting Occupational Performance
- OTDR 524 Human Movement for Occupational Performance
- OTDR 531 Clinical Neuroscience
- OTDR 533 OT Methods I: Assistive Technology
- OTDR 536 Wellness and Health Promotion
- OTDR 544 OT Methods II: Orthotics, Prosthetics and Modalities
- OTDR 550 Fieldwork IIA
- OTDR 560 Fieldwork IIB
- OTDR 567 Administration and Management
- OTDR 631 OTD Seminar 1
- OTDR 632 Clinical Applications of OT in Pediatrics and Adolescence
- OTDR 633 Clinical Applications in Psychosocial and Community Settings
- OTDR 634 Scholarly Implementation & Dissemination
- OTDR 640 OTD Seminar 2
- OTDR 641 Clinical Applications in Adulthood
- OTDR 642 Clinical Applications in Gerontology
- OTDR 643 Scholarship of Practice
- OTDR 653 OTD Seminar 3
- OTDR 664 OTD Seminar 4
- OTDR 670 OTD Seminar 5
- OTDR 672 Leadership and Advocacy
- OTDR 673 Professional Preparation
- OTDR 683 Capstone Experience
OTDR 510 Patient/Client Care Management
3 credit hours
This class introduces principles and techniques of basic patient care, therapeutic communication and touch, and inter-professional collaboration skills.
OTDR 511 Anatomy Applied to Occupation
5 credit hours
This class applies known human anatomy to occupational performance. Covers assessments related to palpation, muscle testing and goniometry, with a focus on analyzing the impact of dysfunction to occupational performance.
OTDR 512 Occupational Engagement and Theories of Practice
3 credit hours
This class introduces typical occupational activities that individuals and groups engage in throughout the lifespan. Topics include discussion of developmental stages and how occupations are influenced by changes, normal and atypical.
OTDR 513 Evidence-Informed Practice
3 credit hours
This course combines instruction in clinical problem solving and critical thinking to introduce evidence-informed skills of practice: logic, problem synthesis, hypothesis generation, reflective-practice and decision-making. Includes analysis of evidence and research design.
OTDR 514 Domains of Occupational Therapy
3 credit hours
This course examines the historical foundation and philosophical base of occupational therapy. The profession’s core values and code of ethics are introduced. The Occupational Practice Framework is examined, with a focus on occupations, client factors, performance skills, and the influences and effects that environment, context and performance patterns have on persons, groups and populations. Explores the importance of lifelong learning in developing professional behavior and communication skills.
OTDR 521 Scholarly Design
3 credit hours
This course focuses on the development of writing and reasoning skills related to research planning and design. Skills progress through an evaluation of existing research to developing a scholarly project/study, inclusive of understanding the components of an IRB proposal and sound research plan. The course includes participation in a doctoral seminar for the OTD students. Prerequisite: OTDR 513 Evidence Informed Practice
OTDR 522 Process of Occupational Therapy
4 credit hours
This course examines the Occupational Practice Framework, with emphasis on the components of evaluation, intervention and target outcomes. Explores the service delivery settings, frames of reference and models which guide occupational therapy treatment. Explores various professions that work on health care teams with occupational therapists. Ethical considerations in regard to treatment and documentation within the healthcare system are explored. An experiential lab component integrating foundational concepts in varied community settings is included. The course includes participation in a doctoral seminar for OTD students
OTDR 523 Conditions Impacting Occupational Performance
4 credit hours
Selected medical conditions throughout the lifespan and how they impact occupational performance are discussed. Diagnosis, clinical features and medical treatment, including pharmacology, are reviewed. Case studies, student presentations of evidence-based articles on medical management, and hands-on practice of appropriate diagnostic assessments are included.
OTDR 524 Human Movement for Occupational Performance
3 credit hours
This class focuses on foundational knowledge regarding kinesiology and movement task analysis. Includes presentation of historical and contemporary motor control theories to synthesize how occupation-based treatment is influenced and supported by motor control principles Prerequisite: OTDR 511 Anatomy Applied to Occupation
OTDR 531 Clinical Neuroscience
4 credit hours
This class focuses on foundations of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology and their applications to neurological conditions seen in clinical practice.
OTDR 533 OT Methods I: Assistive Technology
3 credit hours
This course introduces a variety of assistive technology devices with application throughout the lifespan. Universal design and environmental modifications are explored in depth. Focuses on the role of the occupational therapists’ use of technology to assist and prepare a client for independence in occupational engagement and performance.
OTDR 536 Wellness and Health Promotion
3 credit hours
This course focuses on ways to promote health and wellness through behavioral change and identification of barriers to change. Health promotion planning will include individual, group and population-based interventions. Examines risk behaviors that can compromise health throughout the lifespan. Applications to clinic/home/community situations and participation in selected complementary and alternative health interventions are included.
OTDR 544 OT Methods II: Orthotics, Prosthetics and Modalities
3 credit hours
This course presents the theory and evidence-based clinical application of physical agent modalities, orthotics and prosthetics, and emphasizes principles of differential diagnosis and wound/tissue healing when selecting and applying the appropriate physical agent modality. Focuses on the design and application of orthotic devices to enhance occupational performance and participation.
OTDR 550 Fieldwork IIA
11 credit hours
The first of two off-campus fieldwork experiences, this course places an emphasis on the application of occupational therapy theory and skills acquired in the didactic coursework to a clinical setting. Students will demonstrate entry-level competency and standards of practice within this practice area. Weekly online interaction with faculty facilitates student learning through reflective practice.
OTDR 560 Fieldwork IIB
11 credit hours
This course is the second of two off-campus fieldwork experiences, with an emphasis on the application of occupational therapy theory and skills mastered in IIA in a different clinical setting. Students will demonstrate entry-level competency and standards of practice within this second practice area. Includes weekly online interaction with faculty to facilitate student learning through reflective practice. Prerequisites: Successful completion of OTDR 550 Fieldwork IIA
OTDR 567 Administration and Management
3 credit hours
This course covers the application of managerial and administrative principles to rehabilitation services within a changing healthcare environment and the impact upon the delivery of services in a variety of practice settings. Primary topics addressed include: organizational and legal structures, supervision and management, quality assurance, fiscal management, human resources, collaboration and team functions, and marketing.
OTDR 631 OTD Seminar 1
1 credit hour
In this course, students explore diverse healthcare delivery models and systems to develop research questions for their doctoral capstone. By collaborating with the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator, students identify personal interests, conduct initial literature searches, and formalize their ideas through the Capstone Exploration Form. The course also emphasizes professional growth through peer review, where students practice giving and receiving meaningful feedback. These activities establish a solid foundation for a successful capstone experience.
OTDR 632 Clinical Applications of OT in Pediatrics and Adolescence
5 credit hours
This course presents the theory and rationale of competency-based assessments and interventions for physical, developmental, sensory integrative, perceptual/cognitive, and psychosocial dysfunctions as it applies to early lifespan development. Applies pediatric frames of reference to specific problems, including gross, fine and oral-motor skills; behavioral and social issues, handwriting, sensory integrative, visual, cognitive, and psychosocial problems within the framework of the multicultural family. Fieldwork Level I experience will integrate course content and clinical application. This course includes participation in a doctoral seminar for OTD students
OTDR 633 Clinical Applications in Psychosocial and Community Settings
5 credit hours
This class presents the theory and rationale of competency and evidence-based OT assessment and intervention for psychosocial dysfunctions across the lifespan. Examines community-based settings, life-style redesign, and therapeutic use of self. Level I fieldwork experiences enable students to observe, integrate and apply concepts of the course in clinical situations. The course includes participation in a doctoral seminar for OTD students.
OTDR 634 Scholarly Implementation & Dissemination
3 credit hours
This class focuses on the development, integration and implementation of data-collection skills and the evaluation of the quality and equity of data related to research design and methodology. The course includes participation in a doctoral seminar for the OTD students. Prerequisite: OTDR 521 Scholarly Design
OTDR 640 OTD Seminar 2
1 credit hour
In this course, students will collaborate with the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator to refine their research questions and problem statements, engaging in key capstone project steps such as developing an annotated bibliography, selecting a topic, and outlining a literature review. Peer review is central to the course, fostering professional feedback skills and preparing students for a meaningful capstone experience. Prerequisite: Successful completion of OTDR 631 OTD Seminar 1
OTDR 641 Clinical Applications in Adulthood
5 credit hours
This course presents the theory and rationale of evidence-based assessment and intervention for physical, developmental, perceptual/cognitive, and psychosocial and neurological dysfunctions as it applies to middle lifespan. Fieldwork Level I experience will integrate course content and clinical application. This course includes participation in a doctoral seminar for OTD students.
OTDR 642 Clinical Applications in Gerontology
5 credit hours
This course presents the theory, rationale and evidence supporting assessments and interventions with aging adults, including physical, perceptual/cognitive, and psychosocial dysfunctions as it applies to late lifespan. Fieldwork Level I experience will integrate course content with clinical application. This course includes participation in a doctoral seminar for OTD students.
OTDR 643 Scholarship of Practice
3 credit hours
This course explores the spectrum of “scholarship” (discovery of new knowledge; development of new technologies, methods, materials, or uses; and the integration of knowledge leading to new understanding) and its relationship to clinical practice.It addresses the importance of generating knowledge that is responsive to the priorities of society, consumers and clinicians, and which explicitly supports and advances clinical practice. Students will explore the literature to identify their profession’s research priorities as well as best practices in clinically focused scholarship. The emphasis of this course is to instill in students the importance of developing collaborative relationships to promote scholarship in support of practice. Prerequisite: OTDR 634 Scholarly Implementation and Dissemination
OTDR 653 OTD Seminar 3
1 credit hour
This course guides students in defining their major project, from initial capstone concept and problem statement to drafting preliminary work and necessary documentation. Students will also begin establishing their support structure and utilizing collaborative feedback to advance professional competencies. Prerequisite: Successful completion of OTDR 640 Seminar 2
OTDR 664 OTD Seminar 4
1 credit hour
In this course, students will continue working toward their capstone experience by finalizing the literature review through instructor feedback and peer review, and exploring the topic's context at individual, community, and population levels. The semester culminates with students finalizing their Capstone Committee Roster, presenting their preliminary proposal, and completing all required documentation and agreements essential for successful capstone implementation, including continuing the IRB process if applicable. Prerequisite: Successful completion of OTDR 653 Seminar 3
OTDR 670 OTD Seminar 5
2 credit hours
In this course, students will develop a foundational plan for their Capstone Experience, establishing a scholarly basis for advanced practice. This process involves creating a comprehensive proposal and completing all required documentation. The proposal, along with corresponding deliverables, will be submitted for approval by relevant academic personnel and mentors, ensuring alignment with program expectations. Students will present their proposal and respond to feedback as part of the final approval process.
OTDR 672 Leadership and Advocacy
3 credit hours
This course provides students with the opportunity to apply leadership strategies needed to shape the role of occupational therapy in our national healthcare delivery system. Reflection, critique and self-directed learning are used to enhance students’ leadership skills. Principles and importance of advocacy are presented as essential for individual and professional growth.
OTDR 673 Professional Preparation
4 credit hours
In this course, students prepare for their final project after completing required coursework and fieldwork. The focus is on professional development, including preparation for necessary examinations, exploring specialized certifications, and refining professional activities and communication skills.
OTDR 683 Capstone Experience
12 credit hours
In this course, students complete a 14-week in-depth experiential component in an area of occupational therapy practice, approved based on their prior proposal. Students collaborate with their site, document their time, and finalize their project deliverables, including a final manuscript and poster. The course concludes with the dissemination of their capstone findings and a formal performance evaluation. Prerequisite: Successful completion of OTDR 673 Professional Preparation