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Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Curriculum

Program Objectives

Our Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program combines academics and clinical experiences to develop highly skilled practitioners. 

Occupational therapists work with persons, groups and populations to enhance their ability to perform daily activities and participate in meaningful occupations, such as self-care, work, and leisure.

Students in the RUSH University OTD program will have hands on clinical experiences every semester of the program including the following:

  • Directed observations within RUSH University Medical Center and community partners
  • Group dynamics
  • Fieldwork Experiences
  • Individualized capstone experiences

These experiences expose you to diverse patient populations across a variety of settings, both on and off campus. 

RUSH OTD utilizes cutting-edge technology that bring the educational experience to a whole new level. This includes our Anatomage tables, Moxie Learning Robots, Virtual Reality, 3D printing and more.

Our commitment to providing the best resources for our students is unwavering, and these innovative learning supports are a testament to that dedication.

Our program is currently ranked among the top 12% of occupational therapy programs nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

Graduation Requirements
On

Course Curriculum

First year

Fall term

  • OCC - 600 Introduction to Occupation, Health and Wellness (Credits: 3)
  • OCC - 608 Introduction to Clinical Practice (Credits: 2)
  • OCC - 520 Health Conditions (Credits: 4)
  • OCC - 501 Human Structure and Principles of Movement (Credits: 3)
  • OCC - 501L Functional Anatomy with Lab (Credits: 2)
  • IPE - 502 Interprofessional Patient Centered Teams (Credits: 0)

Spring term

  • CHS - 601 Introduction to Biostatistics (Credits: 2)
  • OCC - 620 Foundational Theories in OT (Credits: 3)
  • OCC - 576 Sociocultural Aspects of Care (Credits: 2)
  • OCC - 579 Research Methods Credit(s): 3
  • OCC - 609 Occupational Performance and Ability (Credits: 3)
  • OCC - 643 Health Care Systems (Credits: 3)
  • IPE - 502 Interprofessional Patient Centered Teams (Credits: 0)

Summer term

  • OCC - 625 Functional Neuroscience and Cognition (Credits: 4)
  • OCC - 607 Psychosocial Aspects of Care (Credits: 3)
  • OCC - 610 Occupational Therapy Process (Credits: 3)
  • OCC - 615 Developmental Disabilities I (Credits: 3)
  • OCC - 617 Clinical Practice Skills/Fieldwork 1-A (Credits: 2)
  • OCC - 683 Evidence-Based Practice Series I (Credits: 1)

Second year

Fall term

  • OCC - 612 Physical Disabilities I (Credits: 4)
  • OCC - 614 Mental Health Practice (Credits: 4)
  • OCC - 618 Clinical Practice Skills/Fieldwork 1-B (Credits: 2)
  • OCC - 630 Program Development (Credits: 2)
  • OCC - 684 Evidence-Based Practice Series II (Credits: 1)

Spring term

  • OCC - 685 Evidence-Based Practice Series III (Credits: 2)
  • OCC - 810 Professional Reasoning and Doctoral Experience I (Credits: 2)
  • OCC - 613 Physical Disabilities II (Credits: 4)
  • OCC - 616 Developmental Disabilities II (Credits: 4)

Summer term

  • OCC - 644 Leadership and Advocacy (Credits: 2)
  • OCC - 795 Advanced Fieldwork I (Credits: 9)
  • OCC - 811 Professional Reasoning and Doctoral Experience II (Credits: 1)

Third year

Fall term

  • OCC - 820 Capstone Competencies (Credits: 1)
  • OCC - 797 Advanced Fieldwork II (Credits: 9)
  • OCC - 812 Professional Reasoning and Doctoral Experience III (Credits: 1)

Spring term

  • OCC - 825 Individualized Doctoral Experiences (Credits: 12)
  • OCC - 828 Capstone Dissemination (Credits: 1)

Program total: 107 credit hours

View the current course catalog

Refer to the course catalog for our most up-to-date curriculum information.