Professional Component
Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Pathway
The entry-level professional doctorate curriculum in occupational therapy emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills, an understanding of research literature, and professional competence. The degree Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) is granted to students who successfully complete a program consisting of the prerequisite course work and a baccalaureate degree followed by eight semesters of professional education. Starting in the fall of 2020, students can enroll in the program without a baccalaureate degree.
In addition to didactic course work, students in the entry-level professional OTD pathway must register for Level I Fieldwork for four didactic semesters of the curriculum beginning in the second semester. Level I Fieldwork is provided in a variety of settings covering the lifespan, including hospitals, clinics, school systems and community centers. The schedule of didactic classes is organized in such a way to assist students in accomplishing this course requirement. All fieldwork assignments are made by the Occupational Therapy Academic Fieldwork Coordinators.
Two of the eight professional semesters required for the awarding of the entry-level OTD degree are three-month Level II Fieldwork placements at supervised, approved facilities. Eligibility for Level II Fieldwork experiences is determined by the student’s mastery of the professional curriculum. In addition, a 14-week Doctoral Capstone experience is required during the final semester of the curriculum. A GPA of 2.00 or higher is required for Level II Fieldwork placement.
It is the student’s responsibility to finance transportation and living accommodations for all fieldwork and Professional Rotation courses. Students should plan to travel to sites outside of the local area for both Level I and Level II Fieldwork, as well as for Doctoral Capstone experiences.
Entry-level Hybrid Distance Pathway
In 2007, we began our University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)-Creighton University Distance Pathway. This entry-level program initiative includes asynchronous and synchronous teaching and learning in a unique distance hybrid model. Students complete lab and experiential learning activities at the UAA campus.
In 2015, we began a collaboration with Regis University in Denver, CO. This pathway follows the successful hybrid model used to make the Alaska Pathway so successful, and is available to students who wish to continue their Occupational Therapy education in Denver, Colorado.
In 2021, the third hybrid pathway program began on the Phoenix Health Sciences Campus in Phoenix, Arizona.
For all hybrid distance pathways, students must meet the admission requirements and criteria identical to the on-campus applicants, plus submit an additional statement articulating their interest in, and suitability for distance education.
The curricula of the entry-level and post-professional doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) responds to important trends in occupational therapy practice, health care, and society in general. Creighton University’s professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy pathways prepare graduates to fulfill all traditional duties of occupational therapists while helping them become transformative leaders in the profession. The program is based on models of other professional doctorate degrees in health sciences such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and physical therapy. The professional doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Creighton University is the first such program initiated in the United States.
For successful development as occupational therapists, membership in the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is required of all entry-level and post-professional students. Membership in the Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association (NOTA), the Alaska Occupational Therapy Association (AKOTA), the Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado (OTACCO), or the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association (ArizOTA) is strongly recommended.
Special fees are required for purchase of professional resource and laboratory materials, fieldwork expenses, NOTA or AKOTA and AOTA membership, and professional liability insurance.
Entry-Level (Omaha Campus, Hybrid Alaska, Hybrid Colorado, Hybrid Phoenix) Program
| First Professional Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| IPE 500 | Introduction to Collaborative Care | 0 |
| OTD 302 | Occupations and Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| OTD 306 | Health Conditions | 3 |
| OTD 310 | Introduction to Clinical Education Seminar | 0.5 |
| OTD 314 | Occupation and Health: Population Perspectives | 3 |
| OTD 316 | Professional Practice and Ethical Formation Seminar | 4 |
| OTD 341 | Neuroanatomy | 3 |
| Term Credits | 16.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| OTD 317 | Occupational Therapy in Mental Health | 4 |
| OTD 318 | Level IA Fieldwork: Mental Health | 0.5 |
| OTD 324 | Applied Kinesiology | 3 |
| OTD 334 | Foundations of Research | 3 |
| OTD 342 | Clinical Human Anatomy | 4.5 |
| OTD 355 | Physical Rehabilitation I: Evaluation | 3 |
| Term Credits | 18 | |
| Summer | ||
| OTD 333 | Upper Extremity Evaluation and Intervention I | 3 |
| OTD 356 | Physical Rehabilitation II: Neurorehabilitation | 4 |
| OTD 390 | Level IB Fieldwork: Physical Rehabilitation | 1 |
| Term Credits | 8 | |
| Second Professional Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| OTD 406 | Management and Program Development | 4 |
| OTD 423 | Occupational Therapy with Older Adults | 3 |
| OTD 433 | Upper Extremity Evaluation and Intervention II | 3 |
| OTD 434 | Research Proposal | 3 |
| OTD 435 | Occupational Therapy with Children and Youth I | 3 |
| OTD 460 | Clinical Education Seminar I | 1.5 |
| OTD 490 | Level IC Fieldwork: Pediatric or Selected Practice Setting | 1 |
| Term Credits | 18.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| OTD 403 | Neuro-occupation | 2 |
| OTD 417 | Disability and Health Care Policy | 3 |
| OTD 436 | Occupational Therapy with Children and Youth II | 4 |
| OTD 442 | Critical Analysis of Occupational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| OTD 457 | Physical Rehabilitation III: Interventions and Outcomes | 4 |
| OTD 461 | Clinical Education Seminar II | 1.5 |
| OTD 491 | Level ID Fieldwork: Pediatric or Selected Practice Setting | 1 |
| Term Credits | 18.5 | |
| Summer | ||
| OTD 481 | Level II A Fieldwork | 12 |
| Term Credits | 12 | |
| Third Professional Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| OTD 564 | Professional Identity and Ethical Perspectives | 3 |
| OTD 571 | Level II B Fieldwork | 12 |
| Term Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| OTD 602 | Professional Competency | 0.5 |
| OTD 603 | Doctoral Capstone | 16 |
| Term Credits | 16.5 | |
| Total Credits | 123 | |
Level I, II and Entry-Level Professional Rotation are practical experiences which supplement the occupational therapy didactic courses. Students will need to arrange for travel and housing to sites which may be located in Omaha, the surrounding area, or other states or countries.
In order to satisfy the requirements for graduation, the entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy must successfully complete all requirements for admission, all required courses in their professional curriculum, and must participate in a capstone event at the end of the academic program. A cumulative grade-point average of not less than 2.00 is required for graduation based on all work attempted while enrolled in the professional program. Candidates for the entry-level OTD degree must be determined by the faculty to be of good moral character and fit for the practice of the profession, must have paid all indebtedness to the University, and must be present at the ceremonies where the degree is conferred (unless excused under University rules). To participate in Commencement, a candidate must submit an application for degree available online through the Registrar's Office by the University deadline. In an effort to comply with accreditation and ongoing programmatic quality assurance, completion of all course evaluations and graduate exit survey is required in order for the student to be assigned a course grade and/or graduate.
Faculty
Professors: Shirley A. Blanchard, Alfred G. Bracciano, Brenda M. Coppard, Helene Lohman, Keli Mu
Associate Professors: Angela Bahle-Lampe, Sarbinaz Z. Bekmuratova, Anna Domina, Kathleen Flecky, Bobbi Greiner, Lou Jensen, Angela Patterson, Yongyue Qi, Andrea Thinnes
Assistant Professors: Carrie Bose, Sarah E. Dahlhauser, Lori Davis-Russell, Ashley Fecht, Andrea Fleischman, Rebecca Kinnison, Miranda Little, Marion Russell, Julia Ye-Jin Shin, Colleen Spellman, Marisa R. Welch, Kylie Widhelm, Amanda Wise, Erin Young
Instructor: Lisa Jordan
Special Associate Professor: Rene Padilla