Plan of Study*
Year 1
Fall Term 1 (15 Credits)
- Foundations of Occupation
- Body Functions and Structures: Anatomy**
- Therapeutic Approaches 1**
- Clinical Seminar 1
- Principles of Assessment**
- Critical Appraisal of Evidence
- Human Performance Analysis**
Spring Term 2 (15 Credits)
- Neurobehavorial Science**
- Clinical Seminar 2
- Psychosocial/Cognitive Theory and Practice**
- Occupational Therapy and the Health System
- Therapeutic Approaches 2**
- Fieldwork Education A (FW I)**
- Clinical Conditions 1
- Activity/Context Theory and Practice
Summer Term 3 (11 Credits)
- Clinical Seminar 3
- Neurorehabilitation Theory and Practice**
- Biomechanical Theory and Practice**
- Fieldwork Education B
- Clinical Conditions 2
- Adaptation/Technology Theory and Practice
Year 2
Fall Term 4 (13 Credits)
- Clinical Seminar 4
- Developmental Theory and Practice**
- Productive Aging Theory and Practice**
- Management Of Occupational Therapy Practice
- Fieldwork Education C (FW I)**
- Project Development 1
- Clinical Conditions 3
Spring Term 5 (13 Credits)
- Fieldwork Education D (FW II)**
- Fieldwork Education E (FW II)**
Summer Term 6 (7 Credits)
- Fieldwork Education E (FW II)**
Year 3
Fall Term 7 (12 Credits)
- Advanced Theory and Practice**
- Project Development 2
- Advanced Concepts in Professional and Clinical Reasoning
- Advanced Concepts in Health Policy and Advocacy
- Leadership Development
Spring Term 8 (13 Credits)
- Experiential Preceptorship**
- Professional Development Seminar
*Curriculum is subject to change.
**Course includes laboratory, fieldwork, or experiential component.
Admission to the OTD program is only available on a full-time basis. Term 1 begins at the end of August.
A GPA of at least 3.00 is required in the OTD program.
A misdemeanor or felony charge or conviction may affect a student’s ability to complete courses with a clinical component (fieldwork courses and experiential preceptorship).
NOTE: The OTD program requires students to complete fieldwork education experiences and a doctoral capstone experience (experiential preceptorship) at facilities external to the University of Pittsburgh. All OTD students are responsible for securing required resources and completing required documents to participate in fieldwork education and the doctoral capstone experience including but not limited to transportation, physical examinations and associated testing (i.e., drug screen, vaccinations), health insurance, liability insurance, background clearances, CPR/AED training, first aid training, education modules, parking, housing, food, and clothing. Additionally, certification and licensure requirements include inquiries as to whether the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor, a felony, or a felonious or illegal act, including those associated with alcohol and/or substance abuse. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the certification examination or attain state licensure.
