Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.)


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 3.5 average GPA in all coursework leading to the Specialization (33 - 35 credits) with no grade of C.

  • Nonspecialization (24 credit hours-this is the standard program without specialized courses needed for the following 4 optional specializations)
  • Mental Health specialization (34 credit hours)
  • Neuroscience & Rehabilitation specialization (35 credit hours)
  • Pediatrics specialization (33-34 credit hours)
  • Rural/Underserved specialization (33 credit hours)

Mental Health specialization (34 hours)


**Mental Health Specialization: Students must achieve a minimum of a 3.5 average GPA in OCTH 724, OCTH 747, OCTH 777, OCTH 780, OCTH 781, OCTH 800, OCTH 831, OCTH 832, and the elective course. No grade of C will be accepted in the specialization coursework. Focus of course project in OCTH 780 and OCTH 781 and capstone proposal in OCTH 800 must be in Mental Health.

Neuroscience & Rehabilitation specialization (35 hours)


**Neuroscience & Rehabilitation Specialization: Students must achieve a minimum of a 3.5 average GPA in OCTH 721, OCTH 746, OCTH 776, OCTH 780, OCTH 781, OCTH 800, OCTH 821, OCTH 822, and the elective course. No grade of C will be accepted in the specialization coursework. Focus of course project in OCTH 780 and OCTH 781 and capstone proposal in OCTH 800 must be in Neuroscience & Rehabilitation. *Approved topics course only.

Pediatrics specialization (33 or 34 hours)


**Pediatric Specialization: Students must achieve a minimum of a 3.5 average GPA in OCTH 715, OCTH 756, OCTH 775, OCTH 780, OCTH 781, OCTH 800, OCTH 811, OCTH 812, and the elective course. No grade of C will be accepted in the specialization coursework. Focus of course project in OCTH 780 and OCTH 781 and capstone proposal in OCTH 800 must be in Pediatrics. *Course only available to students in the LEND program.

Rural/Underserved specialization (33 hours)


**Rural/Underserved Specialization: Students must achieve a minimum of a 3.5 average GPA in OCTH 733, OCTH 734, OCTH 778, OCTH 780, OCTH 781, OCTH 800, OCTH 841, OCTH 842, and the elective course. No grade of C will be accepted in the specialization coursework. Focus of course project in OCTH 780 and OCTH 781 and capstone proposal in OCTH 800 must be in Rural/Underserved.

Note:


The Occupational Therapy Program is a 114-credit program delivered in an established sequence across eight concurrent semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer). One cohort of 32 students is accepted each fall. Students must pass all required coursework before moving on to the next semester. Students who receive more than 12 credits of C or any credit of a failing grade are subject to dismissal from the program.  All students are required to complete all didactic coursework, 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork, and complete a capstone project with 14 weeks of capstone experience to earn the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree. See the Graduate School Policies & Procedures  for additional requirements.  

General Application Requirements


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

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the  “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

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 a predetermined 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

605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad