HEIDI FISCHER, OTD, OTR/L
“
As a clinical research coordinator at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, I chose to pursue an OTD at UIC because it allowed me to advance my skills as a clinical researcher. As a rigorous research program with close proximity to RIC, the UIC OTD program was able to provide me with the support I needed to better serve my clients.
Creating Tomorrow’s Practice
”
Leading the Field in Education, Scholarship and Practice
MIRANDA PALMER, OTD, OTR/L
“
I chose UIC because it has a profound reputation for preparing students to become exceptional clinicians within community hospitals, schools, senior facilities and many other settings. The OTD provided me with the necessary tools to start my own home health business, and the knowledge to collaborate with several other disciplines to provide optimal patient care.
”
JENNIFER FRIESEMA, MS, OTR/L
“
I decided to go to UIC because of the influence the faculty have on the field of OT. I wanted a rigorous program where I could learn from the best. UIC’s OTD program focuses on preparation for leadership and teaching as well as advanced OT practice.
”
EMILY FRANK, OTD, OTR/L
“
The OTD program at UIC allows each student to personalize his or her education to meet their future goals. The faculty have always been supportive, are diverse in their expertise, rich with knowledge, and are very willing to provide the perfect amount of guidance to support me as a student.
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
”
ALEXANDER AGUDELO OROZCO, OTD, OT
”
Visit us at www.ahs.uic.edu/ot
1-16/ 500 / jh.design@rcn.com
“
I decided to study at UIC because I knew of the University’s prestige, especially in the area of occupational therapy, with high academic levels and recognition due to Dr. Gary Kielhofner’s contributions. This OTD enhanced my horizons and gave me tools in both conceptual and clinical aspects that I will use as a professor of OT students back in Colombia.
SM
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) at UIC is an excellent choice for occupational therapists seeking advanced knowledge and skills. The OTD focuses on developing advanced professional skills for practice, leadership, management and education. For the currently practicing occupational therapist, an OTD offers opportunities for career development and advancement. UIC MS students co-enrolled in the OTD program have an opportunity to develop specialized knowledge and skills. While the PhD focuses on conducting research, the OTD focuses on applying existing research and evidence to improve everyday OT practice. The OTD program emphasizes UIC’s scholarship of practice and mentoring model. Students work closely with faculty members within their lines of inquiry, which assures that students have top-quality experiences doing mentored work that is relevant, forwardthinking, and that will make a difference in practice and in the lives of diverse occupational therapy clients. Students are admitted to this competitive program only when there is a match between student interest and faculty scholarship and expertise. The OTD is composed of five major components:
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
1. Core Courses (research, theory, proseminar)
3. Elective Courses
• UIC
2. Advanced Practica (clinical, teaching or leadership/management; international sites available)
4. Field exam
• OT
FALL SEMESTER Domestic and International Applicants: April 1
5. OTD Project (major work in advanced area of specialization)
professional application and fee
Application including curriculum vitae, personal statement, three narrative letters of recommendation (one recommender should have a doctoral degree)
The OTD Project represents major applied work done with a faculty mentor and
• Academic
community of learning, and can include projects such as evidence-based practice
• Graduate
reviews, educational case studies, and creation and evaluation of training, assessment
• Proof
or intervention programs. Examples of OTD Projects by recent graduates include: •
•
•
Promoting self-determination in
An evidence-based review of the
education planning for youth with
right of people with disabilities to
intellectual and developmental
utilize community-based services:
disabilities
Occupational therapy’s role
Obesity in youth: A contextual and
•
Implementation of a self-management
cultural curriculum
program for people who have expe-
Preventing falls among community-
rienced stroke in an outpatient day
dwelling older adults: Intervention
rehabilitation setting
strategies •
•
•
transcripts
Record Examination (GRE)
of certification or eligibility for certification in occupational therapy in the United States
• International
students have additional requirements; see website for details
• UIC
MS applicants and students can apply to co-enroll in the OTD program
SPRING SEMESTER: Domestic Applicants: November 1 International Applicants: Not admitted for the spring semester
Director of the OTD Program Joy Hammel, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Professor and Wade/Meyer Endowed Chair Hammel@uic.edu
Visit us at www.ahs.uic.edu/ot or email us at otdept@uic.edu
Dynamics of the intentional relation-
The Health Literacy Resources Manual:
ship: Education for occupational
A toolkit for rehabilitation professionals
therapist practitioners and students
www.ahs.uic.edu/ot