VCU College of Health Professions

Leadership development, practical skills, lifetime professional relationships

Virginia Commonwealth University's Department of Occupational Therapy is dedicated to providing high-quality education and ranked #15 for the Best Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy in U.S. News & World Report's 2008 "Best Graduate School" rankings.

VCU's Online Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program provides graduates with the practical leadership skills to drive change and benefit occupational therapy practice or the community at large. By developing leaders and scaffolding inherent leadership ability, our graduates have the skills and insight to meet the challenges of the new millennium. Our renowned faculty are skilled leaders, dedicated researchers, and insightful educators who work collaboratively with students.

The Underpinnings of VCU's Online OTD

• Nearly 15 years experience teaching online courses in the College of Health Professions
• Open to students without disrupting their careers or relocating their families
• Part-time semester coursework that is "doable" while being employed
• Capstone Leadership Project related to student interest and passion
• Development of professional relationships for a lifetime

Computer Requirements

Required
Basic computer skills (Word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email and internet)
Microsoft Office or equivalent
PC, new within the last 2 years

Recommended
Printer
High speed internet connection
Keyboarding proficiency

The Capstone project is designed to be a culmination of the leadership coursework. It is an opportunity for students to integrate concepts learned throughout the program into a project that showcases their leadership skills and impacts individuals and chosen environments. In developing the Capstone Leadership Project, each student creates a project plan on a topic about which they are passionate. Topics are developed individually and presented to faculty in a face to face session for approval. Faculty look for projects to have a clear leadership focus, and to be of high quality. With mentorship from the faculty, students plan, design, implement, and evaluate their pre-approved leadership projects. Topics may be from a student's work environment but can also focus on interests in healthcare, education, the community, or professional- or disability-focused organizations.

The Capstone Leadership Project promotes exploration of personal styles of leadership, re-examination of leadership theories, and thorough assessment and critique of the project. A written and verbal presentation of final project and the assessment of its value to the health care or education community is given during an on-campus session. The Capstone Leadership Project is in lieu of a thesis or dissertation.

What is a typical Capstone Leadership Project?

Capstone Leadership Projects are individually driven according to student interests and passions. They are diverse in content and through peer review and development, students learn about each other's leadership skills and areas of practice or interest. Sharing this process further develops our graduates knowledge about leadership.

Completed OTD Capstone Projects

Bitgood, G.P. (2008). Rebuilding Together in Chesapeake. Unpublished manuscript. Capstone Leadership Project. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University.

Cook, M. (2010). E--mentoring: A cutting edge opportunity for professional VOTA members. Unpublished manuscript. Capstone Leadership Project. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dengler, J. (2010). Improving occupational performance through community based instruction. Unpublished manuscript. Capstone Leadership Project. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University.

Desanto, Jennifer. (2009). Occupational therapy sensory integration outpatient program. Unpublished manuscript. Capstone Leadership Project. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University.

Gray, A. L. (2010). Valley Health intranet rehab connections. Unpublished manuscript. Capstone Leadership Project. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University.

Hill, L. (2008). Handwriting recovery program. Unpublished manuscript. Capstone Leadership Project. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University.

McDaniel, M. (2010). Educational groups for seniors with visual impairments. Unpublished manuscript. Capstone Leadership Project. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University.

Martinez, C. N. (2010). Building a Community of Friends (COF): A School and Community Based Social Skills Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Unpublished manuscript. Capstone Leadership Project. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University.

Michel, S. (2008). On the move: A safe patient handling training program. Unpublished manuscript. Capstone Leadership Project. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University.

Ridgway, E. (2010). Developing a role for occupational therapy in research in a multidisciplinary children's developmental clinic. Unpublished manuscript. Capstone Leadership Project. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University.

Showalter, K. (2008). An occupational therapy practice model for patients with ALS. Unpublished manuscript. Capstone Leadership Project. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University.

Wyrick, A. (2008). Evidence-based practice web course for school-based occupational therapists. Unpublished manuscript. Capstone Leadership Project. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University.

Note: The Graduate School will confirm receipt of any application packet submitted via standard mail at the email address provided on your application form. Please use receipts for any type of priority mail as confirmation of delivery.

The VCU Global Education Office processes undergraduate and graduate applications for non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. residents.

Please visit the website for the Global Education Office at: http://www.global.vcu.edu/

Applicants for admission to the VCU Occupational Therapy Department Post Professional Masters and OTD programs must hold the academic equivalent of a U.S. baccalaureate degree in occupational therapy from an accredited university. Students who have not already passed the NBCOT certification exam, but who have completed occupational therapy program at WFOT approved schools, will be considered for admission to the Post Professional Masters and OTD programs.

Completion of VCU Post Professional programs allows you to apply as a Category B applicant for the NBCOT certification exam if you chose to. Completing our post professional program is a step toward taking the NBCOT exam, but this alone does not guarantee eligibility. It is not necessary to take or pass the certification exam to successfully complete a degree.

Specific questions about the NBCOT certification examination should be addressed to: http://www.nbcot.org/.

Hear what our OTD graduates say about the program:

The OTD program has challenged me to raise the bar of clinical practice excellence through the application of advanced critical thinking, research based practice and up-to-date theory. As a practicing clinician it has changed my view on how I approach my therapy practice and has renewed my commitment to the profession of occupational therapy. Sheri Michel, OTD, OTR/L

Being enrolled in the OTD program at VCU has changed me in a way for which I was not prepared. I have the opportunity to learn from both professors and my classmates on a daily basis. I see myself taking on new roles in the OT field and have really felt the desire to step up my game! This program has given me the confidence to follow certain OT dreams that I shied away from previously. I am so happy with my decision to complete my OTD after receiving my masters degree only two years ago. I actually truly enjoy working and learning in the field at the same time! Grace Bitgood, OTD, OTR/L

The OTD program is a wonderful opportunity to connect up-to-date theory and research to practice. Being a clinician, this opportunity makes evidence based practice more rewarding. - Jennifer DeSanto,OTD, OTR/L

The OTD program has come at an excellent time in my professional career and in OT history in providing a unique venue for serious therapists to further develop their expertise in theory, evidence based practice and research as well as developing leaders willing to make a difference in the effectiveness of OT practice in our century. - Cynthia Normandia, OTD, OTR/L

The OTD program is a natural extension of my post-professional degree. It allows me to continue my education to incorporate contemporary theory, evidence based principles, and leadership skills in a challenging and engaging online learning environment. - Anita Wyrick, OTD, OTR/L

Dr. Jennifer Desanto celebrates her graduation with her fellow OTD classmates.

1. What is an "OTD" degree?
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree, or OTD, is a post-baccalaureate professional degree launched online by Virginia Commonwealth University in 2006. The VCU OTD is a leadership-based degree that emphasizes the development of theory and practical application of leadership skills.

2. Is this distance learning degree any different from the degrees that are earned on campus?
No. There is no distinction between degrees earned online and those earned on-campus.

3. Are there any on-campus requirements?
Yes, students are required to come to campus for face to face class meetings in August and January for 2-3 days.

4. What is the difference between an entry-level OTD and a post-professional OTD degree?
Only NBCOT certified or certification-eligible occupational therapists are qualified to enroll in post-professional OTD programs. Students can earn an entry-level OTD without having taken the national registry exam. The program at VCU is a post-professional OTD.

5. How long is the program?
The program can be completed in 6-8 semesters, depending on course availability, when you take your electives, and the number of courses you take each semester.

6. How many credits and courses do I take each semester?
You will enroll in two courses each semester. Electives can be taken any semester, including summer.

7. How much does the program cost?
Tuition and fees vary; check http://accounting.vcu.edu/tuition/calculator/ for up to date information.

8. May I transfer credits into the program?
Students may submit a course description and syllabus for review of courses they feel are compatible with those in the post-professional OTD degree program. Students must identify the course in the VCU curriculum they think is compatible. The decision to waive a course will be individualized.

If you are a VCU MSOT graduate, you may receive some credit for courses taken within the past 5 years. Please contact Dr. Shelly Lane.

9. When do I start the program?
You may enter the program in either fall or spring semester, although fall is strongly recommended.

10. Will I learn from my classmates?
Yes, constantly, students and faculty are amazed at the connections and information shared with classmates online. When the on campus weekend occurs, students who are meeting for the first time already feel a connection to their fellow classmates.

11. Who do I talk to if I have more questions or if I want to apply?
Contact Ms. Lawrencine Smith at lsmith@vcu.edu, 804-828-2220

For more information about:
Post Professional Education (OTD for current OTRs and OT track of the PhD program in Health Related Sciences) please contact:
Tony Gentry, PhD OTR/L
Director of Post Professional Education
Occupational Therapy Department
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 980008
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0008
Phone: (804) 828-3397
Fax: (804) 828-0782
Email: logentry@vcu.edu

Our school is located on the Medical College of Virginia Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, at 730 East Broad Street, Theater Row Building, 2nd Floor in Suite 2050.