Doctor of Occupational Therapy - Residential

Roxanna Bendixen, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Division Director

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program was the first professional, graduate entry-level program in the state of South Carolina. This entry-level program is distinguished among the nation’s finest occupational therapy doctoral programs through its commitment to supporting health and participation in life. The program embraces the university’s core values: compassion, collaboration, respect, integrity, and innovation.

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) degree prepares students for lifelong and rewarding careers. Graduates are prepared to improve the quality of life for people who experience difficulties and challenges to everyday living.

Our high-quality program is provided at an academic medical center and the curriculum is rigorous and engaging. Educational technology enhances classroom learning, group work develops professional skills, and experiential learning refines practice skills.

Interprofessional education is a hallmark of the program and involves connections with other health professionals across the campus and in the community. Research shows that working in teams produces better outcomes. Teamwork supports innovation and promotes excellence.

Beginning in the second year, fieldwork experiences are an integral part of the curriculum and allow opportunities for direct observation and participation in a variety of practice settings and contexts. These experiences help integrate learning from the classroom and lab and enhance capacity for becoming a proficient occupational therapist. We are excited to offer four courses online: Evidence-Based Practice I (Semester 2), Population Health and Visionary Leadership (Semester 6), and Professional Seminar (Semester 8). Students should have access to personal technology such as a laptop computer, tablet, or PC throughout the duration of the program as well as a working webcam when taking the online courses.

Semesters seven and eight are two full-time 12-week fieldwork rotations at facilities throughout the state and across the country working under the direct supervision of a clinical instructor. The final semester involves a Doctoral Capstone course. The capstone course provides an in-depth, customized experience specific to the interests, skills, and professional goals of the occupational therapy student.

Accreditation

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). NBCOT Exam Data will be available shortly after graduating our first ELOTD class in May of 2022. Passing the NBCOT Certification Examination is necessary, but each state may have additional requirements for state licensure. You can find information about state licensure here.

Curriculum

Year 1, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

OTD800	Introduction to Occupational Therapy	2
OTD802	Therapeutic Interactions	1
OTD803	Therapeutic Interactions Lab	1
OTD813	Musculoskeletal I	2
OTD813L	Musculoskeletal I Lab	2
OTD815	Evidence-based Practice I	2
DRS 700	Human Anatomy	4
Semester Total		14

Year 1, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

OTD814	Musculoskeletal II	3
OTD814L	Musculoskeletal II Lab	1
OTD817	Pediatrics I	2
OTD817L	Pediatrics I Lab	2
OTD825	Evidence-based Practice II	1
DRS 701	Neuroscience	4
IP711	IP Foundations & TeamSTEPPS	1
IP###	IP Concentration Course of Choice	1
Semester Total		15

Year 1, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

OTD816	Level 1 Fieldwork A	1
OTD818	Pediatrics II	2
OTD818L	Pediatrics II Lab	1
OTD819	Neurorehabilitation I	2
OTD819L	Neurorehabilitation I Lab	1
OTD842	Musculoskeletal III	2
OTD842L	Musculoskeletal III Lab	1
DRS 702	Clinical Pathophysiology	3
Semester Total		13

Year 2, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

OTD820	Neurorehabilitation II	1
OTD820L	Neurorehabilitation II Lab	1
OTD821	Neurorehabilitation III	3
OTD821L	Neurorehabilitation III Lab	1
OTD822	Level 1 Fieldwork B	1
OTD830	Leadership & Management I	3
OTD835	Scholarship I	1
OTD835S	Scholarship I Seminar	1
OTD840	Psychosocial Practice	2
OTD840L	Psychosocial Practice Lab	1
Semester Total		15

Year 2, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

OTD805	Population Health	2
OTD831	Leadership & Management II	3
OTD832L	Synthesis of Clinical Skills Lab	1
OTD834	Topics in Aging	1
OTD834L	Topics in Aging Lab	1
OTD836	Scholarship II	1
OTD836S	Scholarship II Seminar	1
OTD838	Synthesis of Clinical Skills	1
OTD846	Level 1 Fieldwork C	1
Semester Total		12

Year 2, Summer A, Trailer (5/4/26-8/14/26)

OTD854	Level II Fieldwork A	12
Semester Total		12

Year 3, Fall B (8/25/25-12/12/25)

OTD839	Level II Fieldwork B	12
OTD880	Professional Seminar	1
Semester Total		13

Year 3, Spring (1/5/26-5/1/26)

OTD887	Capstone	14
Semester Total		14

Curriculum Total

108