Occupational Therapy
Doctorate
Now Accepting Students
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Maximize functional independence
Occupational therapy is where science and knowledge of the human body meets individuals where it means the most: everyday life.
As a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) graduate from Trine University, you will be equipped to enable clients to develop, regain or adapt the skills to perform the activities needed to maximize functional independence. Occupational therapists work in clinics, acute care including intensive care unit (ICU) settings, post-acute rehabilitation, school-based settings or even in technology fields.
Trine University offers a premier opportunity to engage in an interdisciplinary environment that enhances students’ personal and professional journeys.
Occupational therapy at Trine
As part of Trine’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, you’ll be immersed in our
state-of-the-art Brooks College of Health Professions facility and master clinical
skills and technology advances that reflect current and emerging practice. You will
spend time growing in knowledge both inside and outside the classroom to develop professional
skills in practical healthcare settings. Examples include the wet lab/cadaver lab,
dry lab, hospital simulation center, virtual rehabilitation suite and specialized
technology lab/makerspace.
Our curriculum includes five integrated clinical experiences, giving you extensive exposure to real-life occupational therapy practice before starting your 24-week full-time rotation. Our program is built for students and incorporates content at multiple intervals, increasing in complexity, to ensure graduates are prepared for the workforce.
What to expect
Trine's OTD program is designed to provide a seamless transition from the classroom to clinical practice. Our distinctive Level I Fieldwork model, titled Clinical Application and Reflection Experience (CARE), offers early and consistent hands-on experience. Starting in your first year and continuing throughout your five semesters on campus, you will engage in a series of rotations working alongside a classmate in real-world settings. These placements, organized by our Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, will take place in a variety of settings, including pediatrics, adult rehabilitation and geriatrics. The rotations are designed to progressively build your skills and confidence, equipping you for success prior to beginning full-time Level II Fieldwork. Our specialized CARE seminars provide a platform for reflection, mentorship and further skill development. This structured approach, combined with our spinal curriculum and strong support from faculty and fieldwork educators, ensures you are fully prepared for the challenges and rewards of a career in occupational therapy.
The Doctoral Capstone Project is a culminating experience that provides students with in-depth exposure to a designated area of interest. The project requires the synthesis of educational content gained throughout the curriculum, resulting in the creation of an innovative project that facilitates the advancement of the profession. Students will collaborate with OTD faculty and community stakeholders to develop the project focus and project plan, including individualized student goals and objectives. The capstone project is student-directed, which requires students to implement leadership skills as they actively manage each step of the capstone process. Additionally, students will demonstrate adaptability to effectively navigate the dynamic nature of capstone project development and implementation. Students will implement the project in the last semester of the program in OTD 7844 Doctoral Capstone Experience, followed by a presentation of the capstone project in the final week of the semester in which students will demonstrate synthesis and application of knowledge gained.
OTD students at Trine are required to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA (64 credits). Per the course catalog, a 2.0 is an average score and is the lowest passing grade for graduate courses. OTD students are allowed up to eight course credits with a grade of "C," however, the cumulative GPA of 3.0 must still be maintained. Following the successful completion of didactic coursework, students must pass 24 weeks of Level II Fieldwork rotations, the 14-week Doctoral Capstone Experience, and one-credit Doctoral Capstone Presentation. Trine University completes a degree audit for all students to ensure graduation requirements are met before a degree is conferred.
Your occupational therapy career
Once you complete your OTD degree at Trine, you will be prepared to sit for the National
Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination.
You will have the training and clinical exposure to complete occupational therapy evaluations and design and implement treatment interventions for patients of all ages.
Your diverse experiences and interactions with Trine students in other health professions programs will equip you to effectively communicate among interdisciplinary healthcare teams, and you will be prepared to advocate for persons, groups and populations.
According to the Bureau of Labor Services, the number of jobs in the field are expected to grow 12% over the next decade.
Apply now
We accept applications through the OTCAS System.
Additional information
Refunds of tuition, room, and board due to withdrawal/drop are determined by the schedule on the Business Office website. Refunds of tuition and room and board follow the schedule below. The international fee and enrollment fee are not refundable.
Tuition Fall and Spring Semester
- Week One—100%
- Weeks Two & Three—50%
- Week Four—0%
Tuition Summer Semester
- Week One—100%
- Week Two—0%
In the rare case an “exception” to the refund policy is granted, a $50 administration
fee may be assessed. Please note: If a student receiving financial aid withdraws during
the semester, that aid is subject to the federal refund calculation. Any student who
is dismissed or suspended for misconduct shall not be entitled to any refund. No refund
is provided at any time on fees, books and supplies, or personal expenses.
Withdrawal from the University
If a student decides to drop or withdraw after registering for classes:
- The student is responsible for completing the proper paperwork and filing it with the Office of the Registrar or the Educational Center Director. By failing to do so, the student accepts financial responsibility for all charges incurred on their account.
- The student may be eligible for a full or partial refund of tuition and room and board, depending on when the official withdrawal takes place.
- It may result in a change in the total amount due for the semester.
- It may result in a loss of financial aid from a federal, state or institutional source.
- Failure to attend classes does not constitute a drop/withdrawal.
Refer to Trine University’s Withdrawal policy. The policy is outlined in the Withdrawal from the University section of the Trine University Course Catalog. Additional policies related to withdrawal, including Withdrawal/ Drop Schedule, Credit Balances/Refunds, and 1098-T Tax Information, are outlined in Section 2.15 Student Accounts. The policy includes information regarding Administrative Withdrawal from the University.
Program Information
Degree
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Duration
103 Hours
Level
Graduate
Campus Location
Fort Wayne, IN