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Effective Spring 2023 the Department of Occupational Therapy  will offer an Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) pending final review and approval by Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The OTD program will be structured using a cohort model where students are admitted and progress through a sequenced program of study in an organized manner to support completion of the degree within three years of full time enrollment. This model fosters collaboration between students and faculty. The OTD degree is designed for an entry-level occupational therapist and seeks to support students as leaders and practitioner-scholars. The curriculum is designed using a variety of instructional methods to enhance content mastery. Although the majority of instruction will be face to face instruction, classes will include simulations, case presentations, involvement with the on campus faculty-run clinics and online instruction. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

PLO 1 Achieve entry-level competence as a generalist with a broad exposure to the delivery models and systems used in settings where occupational therapy is currently practiced and where it is emerging as a service;
PLO 2 Understand, value and uphold the occupational core of the profession including the ethical standards, attitudes, and professional behaviors;
PLO 3 Articulate and apply occupational therapy theory, models of practice, clinical reasoning to evidence-based evaluations and interventions to achieve expected outcomes;
PLO 4 Be a competent and critical consumer of research and knowledge that supports practice; design, implement and present a scholarly project that will contribute to the professional body of knowledge;
PLO 5 Identify the social, political, economic and cultural issues in a diverse society that impact the ability of individuals, communities and populations (clients) to participate in meaningful; occupations; create opportunities for occupational engagement for individuals, communities, or populations;
PLO 6 Advocate for individuals, communities, and populations (clients) and actively promote occupational therapy; and,
PLO 7 Demonstrate professional leadership skills to be prepared to make a positive impact on occupational pursuits for the health and well-being of society.

Admissions Requirements

University Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete graduate application by applying through the CSU Cal State Apply system at calstate.edu/apply and meet all the university admission requirements. Applicants apply separately to the department to obtain admission into the OTD degree program. See the GAPE Graduate Admissions website and this catalog for general information about Graduate Admissions  at SJSU.

Applicants from countries in which the native language is not English must achieve a minimum English-language proficiency test score as indicated on the Graduate Program Test Requirements webpage at GAPE. For TOEFL Requirements, see the Policies and Procedures section, Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Information in this Catalog.

Program Requirements

Requirements for admission shall apply to all OTD applicants and shall include, at minimum, the following:

1. The applicant holds a baccalaureate degree earned at an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or the applicant has completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by the appropriate campus authority.
2. A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units is required. A 3.2 GPA is preferred.
3. The applicant has demonstrated sufficient preparation to successfully undertake the coursework and clinical education required to practice as an occupational therapist. Evidence considered in the admission process shall include, but not be limited to:
   1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores taken within five years of application.
   2. An applicant-authored statement of purpose reflecting a commitment to occupational therapy, including applicant’s preparation for training in this profession, aptitude and motivation, commitment to working with diverse populations and the basis for interest in occupational therapy.
   3. Letters of recommendation are required and a personal interview may be included.
4. The applicant has met any additional requirements established by the chancellor in consultation with the faculty and any additional requirements prescribed by the appropriate campus authority
5. To enter the OTD program at SJSU, the applicant must successfully complete the following prerequisites with a grade of “B” or better:
   1. Statistics course completed within the past 7 years
   2. Human Anatomy with a lab (completed within the past 7 years)
   3. Physiology with a lab
   4. Neuroanatomy
   5. General Psychology
   6. Abnormal Psychology
   7. Sociology OR Cultural Anthropology
   8. Skills course where the student is engaged in working with materials with their hands to produce an end product such as ceramics, sculpture, glass blowing, etc.
6. Students may petition to have classes completed at another institution accepted for credit at SJSU but per Executive Order a minimum of 65% of semester units must be completed in residency.

Candidacy Requirements

Candidacy denotes that a student is fully qualified to complete the final stages of the Occupational Therapy degree. Matriculated graduate students must submit a Petition for Advancement to Graduate Candidacy a minimum of one semester prior to graduating. General university requirements for advancement to candidacy are detailed in the General Graduate Policies & Procedures  section of this catalog. The University requires that all graduate students complete the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  as a condition for advancement to candidacy. Successful completion of OCTH 245  with a grade of “B” or better satisfies the GWAR. 

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete all residency, curriculum, unit, GPA, and culminating experience requirements as outlined in the General Graduate Policies & Procedures  section of the catalog. Completion of the degree also requires a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and satisfying the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) .