Post-Professional Doctorate Program

The Misericordia University Online Post Professional Doctoral Degree is the academic experience you are looking for to launch into the next phase of your career, whether it be into academia, to re-invigorate your clinical practice, or to establish an entirely new direction based on your unique years of experience and vision for the future.

With over 100 doctoral graduates, we have the outcomes to demonstrate that this curriculum can prepare you for a role in academia, academic leadership, as a private practice practitioner or business owner, entrepreneur, advanced practice clinician or theorist. Our graduates have gone on to achieve recognition through AOTA, conduct numerous presentations and publications, present nationally and internationally, and attain leadership positions on various boards, advocating for the profession.

When you enter our program, we will support you in deciding upon a “capstone”, which will be your individualized way to express your passion for occupational therapy. This capstone topic will then impact some of the assignments in ore coursework, your choice of electives, and will culminate in a capstone project that is planned, implemented and disseminated under the mentorship of a faculty member.

Doctoral students have the opportunity to concentrate their electives in pediatrics or adult/ geriatric specializations, or to focus their electives in areas such as teaching and transitioning to academia; mental health, trauma and interoception; or issues surrounding current school based practice. Opportunities to integrate external certifications and credentials that fit each students personal career trajectory may be utilized to meet the requirements of either elective coursework or the capstone project.

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education does not recognize post professional degrees, yet has been approved by received the Middle States Association and the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program.

Why a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy?

OTD graduates are agents of positive change, social responsibility, and ethical care who are prepared for major career advancements. With a doctorate in Occupational Therapy, you can choose from a variety of available career paths such as:

Influence public policy with knowledge of how occupation impacts health
Start your own business or private practice
Develop and research programs that will enable occupational therapists to be responsive to public health concerns of the 21st century
Enter academia as a faculty member, academic fieldwork coordinator, or OTA program director.

Why Misericordia?

Relevant: Practice oriented coursework that recognizes and incorporates your experience while preparing you for your self-identified future goals. Seek pediatric or adult/geriatric specialization or focused electives in mental health, teaching, etc.

Mission Oriented and Innovative: Core courses promote values of service, justice, mercy and hospitality. Elective courses are varied, and remain current with issues and trends in the field.

Excellent Faculty: Courses are taught by full-time nationally respected doctorally prepared faculty as well as clinical faculty specialists.

Great Value: Small class size (typically 8-15) with personalized attention, reasonable fees and class schedules designed for working therapists to allow for continued full-time employment.

Testimonial

Jennifer Rugletic Washko '09

Learn more about Dr. Jennifer Rugletic Washko's '09 journey as a student in the Occupational Therapy master's and doctoral programs at Misericordia University!

OT Student Capstones & Accomplishments

Click here for OT Student Accomplishments

Curricular Synopsis

The total program is 33 credits. The 24 credits of “core” OTD coursework address the competencies required of leaders and advocates in the profession and emphasize evidence based practice, current theories and trends, public policy and advocacy, occupational science, scholarship and program development. While this curriculum may be a bit longer than some other options, we believe that the comprehensive and specialized knowledge that you gain through our curriculum is essential in acquiring an advanced doctoral degree that you will feel proud of and support your future goals. Capstone coursework requires the integration of these content areas into a individualized advanced project. Each student also completes 9 credits of electives, for a total of 33 credits for the doctoral coursework.

Program Delivery

The program is designed to be completed part-time (2 classes per semester) over a two year tri-semester period.
Students may extend the program to a 3 year sequence if they wish to progress through the program at a slower pace, due to either lifestyle or financial factors.
All courses are offered online, with both synchronous and asynchronous components.
“OTD Weekends” are opportunities for all doctoral students and a faculty to get together for both social and academic experiences twice a year…one each fall and spring. These 1-2 day experiences are held on campus, and students have the opportunity to attend face to face or virtually through Zoom.

Program Goals and Routes of Entry

Applicants must possess either an ELM degree in OT or a bachelor’s degree in OT and a post professional master’s degree to be considered for the program.

The OTD program goals are focused in areas of research, advanced practice, leadership and administration. Graduates will:

be proficient in critically appraising, applying and contributing to evidence that supports occupation-based practice.
synthesize and apply advanced theoretical concepts and clinical skills in selected areas of practice.
enhance their leadership and advocacy skills to promote occupational participation in light of human dynamics and private & public policy influences.
design and administer effective, fiscally responsible client-centered programs.

Contact Information

For Admissions Information:
Maureen Sheridan
(570) 674-6451

OR

Ellen McLaughlin, EdD, OTR/L
Professor
570-674-6399

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