The Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DROT) Program prepares occupational therapists for mentorship and scholarship in academic communities and/or health care organizations. The program has two tracks. The first track is for occupational therapists that have already completed a master’s program in any field of study. For these students the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy consists of 32 credit hours. For students with a Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy who do not possess a master’s degree, they will be enrolled in the second track which includes completing the regular Masters in Public Health (MPH) certificate simultaneously, as they complete the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. The regular MPH certificate would include taking: IPE 603 , PHS 513 , PHS 521 , and substitute OCTH 755 in place of PHS 660. These students must apply and be admitted into the MPH certificate program at the same time they are working on their Post-Bachelor’s OT program. They will have a separate degree audit for the MPH and a separate one for the Post-Bachelor’s OT program. Each student will be responsible for submitting a substitution form for the OCTH 755 to replace PHS 660. And they also must submit a graduation application for the MPH certificate, and one for the Post-Bachelor’s DROT degree, using the normal process.
This program is offered in an online format that also includes two intensive on-site weekends.
Upon completion of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree, students will be able to:
- Critically appraise evidence-based practice strategies into practice to maximize target population outcomes.
- Contribute to the occupational therapy body of knowledge through design and implementation of research.
- Implement strategies to address the ethics, policies, and laws that impact the practice of occupational therapy in the dynamic health care environment.
Admission Criteria
Applicants must have graduated from an accredited college or university with an average standing of 3.000 (B) in all undergraduate or graduate work undertaken in whichever degree is the highest held. Students who do not meet this requirement but have reason to believe that they can succeed in and benefit from graduate study will be considered on an individual basis and, if appropriate, admitted conditionally. Specific requirements for different admission statuses are given below. The Graduate Office will provide comprehensive application packets, including a complete list of the admission requirements for both the Graduate Office and the specific graduate program in response to an application request. Online applications may be submitted through the Graduate Office web site. All application materials, including transcripts, become part of the records of Valparaiso University and may not be returned to the applicant for any reason.
Admission to the graduate program is decided by the dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions following the receipt of the following materials:
- A completed application
- Graduate application fee of $30.00 for US applicants
- Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work
- A reflective essay of two double-spaced pages indicating the student’s reasons for pursuing a graduate degree and the relationship of graduate study to any professional goals
- Two letters of recommendation. Recommendation forms for each degree are available either online or from the Graduate Office. Persons writing the recommendations should not be related to the applicant.
- A GRE is not required
In addition to the above, the decision of the dean takes into consideration the admission requirements as well as the recommendation of the department and college through which the program is administered. Applicants must also meet the following criteria:
- Earned a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree
- Have a current state licensure as an Occupational Therapist in good standing
- Worked at least one year as an occupational therapist
In addition to the above, the decision of the dean takes into consideration the admission requirements as well as the recommendation of the department and college through which the program is administered.
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