Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

The field of occupational therapy is consistently growing in its knowledge base and complexity of practice. Occupational therapists of the future must be better prepared academically and hold the appropriate credentials to meet increasing demands. The clinical occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) is a positive step toward preparing our students to meet these demands.

New accreditation standards implemented January 1, 2008 differentiate a master level and doctorate level occupational therapist in several meaningful ways. OTD students will be most interested in the opportunity to go beyond the generalist requirement as a master degree OT to the advanced practice in the OTD Program. The additional coursework, exposure to research, clinical fieldwork and residency requirements will prepare you for leadership and provide clinical skills to advance your practice.OTD Program

A residency is designed for you to develop your special interest in a practice area of your choosing. You will work closely with faculty and experts in your chosen area of practice to develop skills beyond those typically found at the generalist level. The curriculum helps channel your interests early in the program to reach this final residency. The four central themes to help guide you in this process are:

  1. Faith-based Advocacy
  2. Clinical Excellence
  3. Entrepreneurial Leadership
  4. Technological Advancements

Faculty will be instrumental in shaping your knowledge, skills, and passion for the OT profession.  Belmont’s Occupational Therapy faculty has advanced years of clinical, educational, research, and professional leadership roles, and engagement in national and international presentations to help guide your scholarly and professional development. The Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing facility opened in May 2006 with five specialized OT labs (neurodevelopmental lab, media technology lab; musculoskeletal lab; pediatric lab; and activities of daily living lab) with a wide range of technologically advanced equipment to support a positive learning environment. Access to clinical sites in the greater Nashville area supplement this dynamic learning of advance practice, and carefully selected local, regional, and national clinical internships will help you on your journey of selecting the residency practice area to match your interests.

The traditional weekday format of the program consists of seven semesters completed over a 33-month period. It involves the student in approximately 600 hours of clinical practicum experience directly linked to professional coursework in psychosocial, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, neuro-rehabilitation, general rehabilitation, pediatrics and management. The curriculum also includes the mandatory 940 hours of clinical internships required by the American Occupational Therapy Association’s accreditation standards, and our students select from over 420 clinical sites. Dr. Ruth Ford is the Associate Dean of the School of Occupational Therapy and serves as Director of the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program.  Dr. Christine Manville is the Residency Coordinator and Camille Turner serves as an Adjunct Fieldwork Coordinator.

Student Outcomes (Calendar Years: 2005 – 2007) 

Belmont University and the School of Occupational Therapy are committed to the successful outcomes of each of the occupational therapy students and graduates. The process for measuring success is determined in a number of different methods. Program evaluation looks at student retention and graduation rates, pass rates on National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy, and employment placement.

NBCOT First Time Pass Rate (2005 – 2007)

The total number of graduates who passed the certification exam as first-time new graduate test takers in 2005-2007 was 107 out of 119, which is an 90% pass rate for all Belmont MSOT and OTD candidates*. During that 3-year time period, the program had 119 graduates.

*NBCOT pass rates have been separated by Master level and Doctorate level candidates for program evaluation starting in January 2007. The 3 year average by program is not available for individual reporting at this time from NBCOT.

Student Retention and Graduation Rates

MSOT 2005-2007: 90 graduates from a total of 91 students with a retention level of 99% overall

OTD 2005-2007: 57 graduates from 57 total students with a retention level of 100% overall

Employment Placement

The MSOT and OTD graduates typically have job offers at the time of graduation in the chosen Occupational Therapy field. Employment placements include hospitals, school system, rehabilitation centers, long term care facilities, out-patient clinics and other settings.