Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD)

Description

The Post-Professional OTD (pp-OTD) is designed for licensed occupational therapists seeking to deepen their expertise and expand their impact as innovators, educators, and leaders. Offered in a flexible, part-time, online format, the program builds upon professional experience to advance skills in implementation science, human-centered innovation, curriculum design, and advocacy. Students apply evidence and design thinking to address complex challenges in practice, education, or policy, culminating in an individualized doctoral capstone that demonstrates measurable impact within their chosen area of focus. The program prepares graduates to lead transformative change, bridge research and practice, and shape the future of occupational therapy across systems and communities.

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    Admission Criteria

    1. Minimum of a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy.
    2. Minimum of 1 year practicing as a licensed Occupational Therapist (or permission of the Admissions Committee).
    3. Completed application including official transcripts, 3 references, statement of professional goals.
    4. Minimum GPA of 3.0 in prior studies.
    5. Interview.

    To apply for admission, students must submit the following:

    • Application statement of purpose and practice goals
    • Current resume, official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
    • Copy of NBCOT certification
    • Copy of current state license/certification in a US jurisdiction
    • Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 550 (213 if computer generated)
    • Three letters of recommendation (one recommendation must be from a licensed occupational therapist)
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    Degree Requirements - Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (31 credits)

    • OCT 6620 Human-Centered Innovation I: Understanding Populations (2 credits)
    • OCT 6621 Implementation Science in OT Practice (2 credits)
    • OCT 6623 Advanced Policy & Advocacy (3 credits)
    • OCT 7730 Human-Centered Innovation II: From Co-Creation to Impact (3 credits)
    • OCT 7731 Implementation Science in Action: From Design to Dissemination (3 credits)
    • OCT 7740 Designing Learning: Curriculum Foundations (2 credits)
    • OCT 7741 Teaching for Impact: Strategies for Engaged & Inclusive Learning (3 credits)
    • OCT 7820 Doctoral Project I (0.5 credits)
    • OCT 7821 Doctoral Project II (0.5 credits)
    • OCT 7822 Capstone (3 credits)
    • Electives (9 credits)
    Total credits required: 31 credits

     

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    Program Contact Information

    Amy Lamb, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, NBC-HWC
    Department Chair & Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy
    School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
    College of Health Professions, A236
    McNichols Campus
    Email: lambaj@udmercy.edu

Detroit Mercy Catalogs


Graduate Catalog
2026-2027