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2024-2025 University Catalog
Occupational Therapy (OTD)
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 Return to: Degree and Certificate Programs
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Occupational Therapy (OTD): Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission into the entry-level occupational therapy doctoral program, you need the following:
- Complete a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants may apply with outstanding coursework if all coursework is completed, and a degree is conferred by matriculation (September)
- Complete the online application through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application System (OTCAS) at otcas.liaisoncas.com/ . You can find a video walking you through OTCAS here.
- Courses* (with a letter grade of C or higher) completed before matriculation with the following content:
- Human anatomy with lab (cadaver lab preferred) = total of 4 credit hours
- Human physiology (lab preferred) = total of at least 3 credit hours
- *Anatomy and Physiology must be taken within five years before the start of the program. Two sequential courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology with labs will also satisfy the prerequisites
- Statistics (including descriptive and inferential statistics)
- Sociology or Anthropology
- Human growth and development across the lifespan (from birth through old age and dying)
- Abnormal Psychology
- One Psychology course (in addition to Human Growth and Development and Abnormal Psychology
*Note: Exams testing out of coursework and AP coursework are not acceptable for prerequisite requirements. Pass/Fail classes will be accepted for any courses taken in the spring 2020 semester only.
- Achieve a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the most recent two years of your education
- Personal Statement demonstrating your understanding of the profession and what characteristics and experiences support you in becoming an occupational therapist.
- Two Letters of recommendation from individuals acquainted with the applicant’s academic/professional aptitudes. OTCAS will contact each reference with instructions on how to complete an online evaluation.
- Experience with occupational therapy through 20 hours (minimum) observation of occupational therapy. In the instance you cannot shadow, familiarity with OT can be demonstrated through completing the online shadowing experiences detailed on our website.
- Interview Session, selected applicants will be invited for a small group virtual interview session and must complete a Rush supplemental application, with a $40 fee.
*Accepted applicants must complete a criminal background check and the required Health and Immunization History documentation. A felony conviction potentially negatively impacts a graduate’s eligibility for certification and licensure.
* The OTD program requires students to complete all required courses in the Rush University Department of Occupational Therapy plan of study. We do not allow credit for previous coursework and/or work experience.
*All application materials will be evaluated, and the Occupational Therapy Admissions Committee will make decisions regarding the applicant’s acceptability for the program. Academic and non-academic factors, including community service, work experience, research, and leadership, will be considered.
Rush University Occupational Therapy Admissions Mission
The Department of Occupational Therapy’s Admissions Committee is committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive student body, embracing the differences that diversity contributes to the growth of our profession and the clients we serve. We seek to matriculate students with a commitment to learning, scholarship, service, and who demonstrate a passion for occupational therapy.
Note: Special consideration will be given to applicants who have the potential to help us achieve our mission. Please ensure all portions of your OTCAS application are completed thoroughly outlining all life experiences.
Application Deadlines
Admission for the entry entry-level doctorate in Occupational Therapy program is granted for the fall term of each year, which begins early-September. Applications through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service become available mid-July.
Completed applications will begin to be reviewed by the admissions committee beginning Oct. 15. The application deadline is Jan. 15. Interviews will be held during the months of November, December, January and February. Average class size is 36 students. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Occupational Therapy (OTD): Program Requirements
General Program Requirements
The Rush University OTD program is a full-time program with classes occurring Monday-Friday, however, some evening and weekend hours may be required periodically for the completion of academic and clinical assignments. In these situations, students will be given ample notice to arrange their schedules accordingly. Although most classes are on campus, there are several courses that are online with both asynchronous and synchronous sessions. Technology requirements can be found in the technology section. Additionally, collaborative strategies are commonly used in the curriculum and students will need to work with their peers both inside and outside of scheduled class periods.
Attendance and active participation are important aspects of professional education and are critical to your professional development. Students are therefore expected to be present for all class, lecture and clinical meetings and are fully responsible for all content presented to them. Excused absences must be requested prior to the class meeting time and must be validated by the instructor. Students must e-mail or call the instructor in case of an absence. Valid excuses include illness, doctor’s instruction, notice of death in family, religious obligations and other special circumstances. Extended time out of class may require documentation from a physician. Students that miss more than four days per semester are required to meet with their assigned adviser to discuss the need for a leave of absence. Multiple or extended absences may require a leave of absence to ensure course objectives and program requirements can be met. Please see course syllabi for attendance policies and the impact on a course grade. If a student is ill, they are expected to stay home. In such instances, the student is responsible for obtaining class information after an absence and virtual options will not be available. Virtual options for in-person class content will only be provided for asymptomatic COVID-19 positive students that are currently in quarantine.
Business casual dress is required for the classroom and scrubs or business casual is required for clinical assignments. Caribbean blue scrubs are required for all practicum and fieldwork experiences that occur at Rush University Medical Center. On clinical placements outside of Rush, students will be required to follow each site’s dress code.
Students enrolled in the OTD program at Rush University are expected to have the skills necessary to function as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy student in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical/fieldwork settings. The technical standards required of all students enrolled in the OTD program can be found in the technical standards section.
Graduation Requirements
Once admitted to the Occupational Therapy program, students embark on a journey that entails the accumulation of 107 term hours for graduation. In order to graduate and have the Occupational Therapy Doctorate conferred, students must meet the following:
- Successfully complete all didactic coursework and fieldwork
- Pass the Department of Occupational Therapy competency exam
- Successfully complete all requirements of the individual doctoral experience and capstone project
- Pass the Rush University Interprofessional Patient Care Teams course (IPE 502)
- Complete a minimum of 16 contact hours of approved professional or community service
- Complete implicit bias training
In order to be eligible to take the registration exam administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists, students must have completed all graduation requirements as documented in official transcripts from Rush University. Students must complete all program requirements within 45 months from the time they begin the program. Students will have 15 months to complete Level II fieldwork after the final day of Semester 5 of the curriculum and 12 months to complete the doctoral experience/project after the last day of the final Level II fieldwork. Any student who expects to go beyond this timeframe must request an exception to the policy in writing to the program director.
Scholarly Activities
Rush faculty are engaged members of the research community within the occupational therapy profession. Rush students have a variety of opportunities to participate in research during the curriculum. All students will participate in faculty-supervised research projects. Students are required to formally present their research projects, and many will submit to disseminate their work at local, state and national conferences, and/or publication in a professional journal identified by the faculty research adviser. Students are also required to independently complete a capstone project that will advance the knowledge of occupational therapy. A plan for dissemination of the project through presentation or publication is required.
Technology: Required Software/Online Tools
Technology: Required Software/Online Tools
Students are recommended to use My Apps, which is a virtual desktop where Office software, Rush email, and secure storage is provided. Visit https://rushuportal.learning.rush.edu/faqfor more information about the My Apps virtual environment. Students are also able to log into RULearning from MyApps. Rush University utilizes the learning management system – Canvas.
RULearning Login Page: Students can log-in to Canvas through Canvas Information for Students | Rush University students are also able to access RULearning via the listed login page.
Rush University Portal: Students can log-in to the Rush University Portal through www.rushu.rush.edu/faculty-and-staff From this site students can access Canvas as well as get financial and financial aid information.
Computer Requirements: Students should have computers with audio/visual capabilities (including the ability to record presentation assignments) and that support learning management tools including but not limited to Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor, Panapto and ExamSoft. Students will be required to download Respondus LockDown Browser to their computers and complete a practice test using Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor within the first three weeks of Semester 1. A webcam will be required. If your computer does not have a built-in webcam, students will be required to purchase a plug-in camera for online test-taking. Instructions for downloading Respondus can be found in a separate document on this jump drive.
Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel and PowerPoint: If you do not already have the Microsoft Office software you can access the Suite through My Apps or download copy of the Microsoft Office suite at a reduced cost for Windows or Mac users: rush.onthehub.com/
Internet Browsers: Students should have access to more than one browser, such as Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or Safari. All browsers should be the most up-to-date version available.
Internet Requirements: Students must have access to a high-speed internet connection when working off campus.
Adobe Acrobat Reader: Students should have access to the most up-to-date Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Occupational Therapy (OTD): Technical Standards
Rush University is committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will serve diverse communities locally and nationally.
Our core values — I CARE (innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence) — translate into our work with all students, including those with disabilities. Rush actively collaborates with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and creates a respectful, accountable culture through our confidential and specialized disability support. Rush is committed to excellence in accessibility; we encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations.
The following technical functions are required of all students enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program:
Acquire Information
- Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in courses, such as lecture, group and physical demonstrations
- Acquire information from written documents and computer systems (e.g., literature searches and data retrieval)
- Identify information presented in accessible images from paper, slides, videos with audio description and transparencies
- Recognize and assess patient changes in mood, activity, cognition, verbal and non-verbal communication
Use and Interpret
- Use and interpret information from assessment techniques/maneuvers
- Use and interpret information related to physiologic phenomena generated from diagnostic tools
Motor
- Possess psychomotor skills necessary to provide or assist in holistic occupational therapy care and perform or assist with procedures and treatments
- Practice in a safe manner and appropriately provide occupational therapy care and assessment in emergencies and life support procedures and perform universal precautions against contamination
Communication
- Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families
- Communicate effectively with faculty, preceptors and all members of the health care team during practicum and other learning experiences
- Accurately elicit information, including a medical history and other information to adequately and effectively evaluate a population’s, client’s or patient’s condition
Intellectual Ability
- Measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize data related to the diagnosis and treatment of patients and populations
- Exercise proper judgment and complete responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner according to the occupational therapy role
- Synthesize information, problem-solve and think critically to judge the most appropriate theory, assessment or treatment strategy
Behavioral
- Maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with clients/patients, families, students, faculty, staff, preceptors and other professionals under all circumstances
- Exercise skills of diplomacy to advocate for patients in need
- Possess emotional stability to function under stress and adapt to rapidly changing environments inherent to the classroom and practice settings
Character
- Demonstrate concern for others
- Integrity, accountability, interest and motivation are necessary personal qualities
- Demonstrate intent and desire to follow the Rush University and Occupational Therapy code of ethics
The technical standards delineated above must be met with or without accommodation. Students who, after review of the technical standards, determine that they require reasonable accommodation to fully engage in the program should contact the Office of Student Accessibility Services to confidentially discuss their accommodations needs. Given the clinical nature of our programs, time may be needed to create and implement the accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged. To learn more about accommodations at Rush University please contact:
Marie Lusk, MBA, MSW, LSW
Director, Office of Student Accessibility Services
Rush University
600 S. Paulina St. AAC 901
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 942-5237
marie_lusk@rush.edu
www.rushu.rush.edu/office-student-accessibility-services
Occupational Therapy (OTD): Academic Policies
Academic Progression
Students will progress through the program following the curriculum outline provided.
The faculty reserves the right to dismiss any student whose conduct, health or performance demonstrates lack of fitness for continuance in a health profession as identified by the faculty member and the Rush University Code of Conduct. Any such student not voluntarily withdrawing will be dismissed from the university. Only grades of A, B, C, & P will fulfill degree requirements in all non-elective courses listed in the curriculum outline. Academic probation is assigned to any student who earns a semester grade point average of 2.99 and below.
Students placed on probation must earn or maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above by the end of the next consecutive academic term or if they fail to do so, will be placed on academic probation again. If a student fails to meet minimum cumulative GPA requirements or earns a semester grade point average of 2.99 or below for more than three terms, the student will be automatically dismissed from the program
Students placed on probation for the first time must meet with their academic adviser and establish an Action Plan effective for the next academic term. If a student is placed on probation a second or third time, they must petition and meet with the Student Performance and Academic Review Committee (SPARC) and provide an Action Plan that is acceptable to SPARC to continue in the program. The student will also be responsible for meeting on a regular basis with their adviser to monitor the progress of the Action Plan’s implementation.
A student receiving a grade D, F or No Pass (N) in a required course must repeat the course at the next academic offering and earn at least a B (or Pass for Pass/No Pass courses) to remain in the program. Only one D, F or No Pass is allowed for the entire program. In the event a student receives a second D, F or No Pass (N) at any other time in the program they will be dismissed from the program.
Students must pass the occupational therapy competency exam (OCC 820 Capstone Competencies) prior to beginning the Independent Doctoral Experience course (OCC 825).
Occupational Therapy (OTD): Curriculum
Program Total: 107 Credit Hours
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