Program Policies
In addition to the general policies described in the Academic Policies section, specific policies of this program are as follows.
Time Limit:
The program’s academic work is designed to be completed within 9 semesters of being admitted to the program. To ensure continuity of application of academic concepts and to meet accreditation standards, all fieldwork must be completed within 24 months following completion of academic preparation. The time limit for completion of the OTD program is dated from the date of first matriculation and ends at seven years.
Grade Policy:
All courses in the occupational therapy curriculum must be completed with a minimum of B- (2.67) to carry graduate credit. If a student receives a grade below B-, the student must repeat the course in the next semester that it is offered. Because occupational therapy courses are not offered every semester, it may be necessary for the student to take a leave of absence from the program until the required course is offered again. A student is only permitted to repeat one course. If a student receives a grade below B- in a second course, they may be dismissed from the program.
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in each semester to progress in the program. A student whose grade point average falls below a 3.0 in any semester will be placed on academic probation and will have one semester to bring the grade point average up to at least 3.0. Students who fail to reach this threshold may be dismissed from the program. A student may not be placed on probation more than once.
Transfer Policy:
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy program abides by the University of Southern Maine transfer policy as outlined in the graduate catalog. Students may transfer a maximum of 6 credits from a MOT degree or from another OTD program. In addition, all transfer courses must be evaluated by the OTD Program Director to determine whether they meet content requirements of the appropriate ACOTE standards. Only those courses that meet the standards will be accepted for transfer.
Program Requirements
Students in the entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program complete 108 credits consisting of 9 semesters of coursework, inclusive of 6 months of full time fieldwork. All courses in the curriculum must be completed with a cumulative average of B- or higher.
Students are required to complete two Level I Fieldwork experiences in mental health, community practice, and pediatric or adult settings. Level I Fieldwork is completed concurrently with the semester in which the relevant coursework is taken. Students are also required to complete two 12-week Level II Fieldwork experiences in two different settings, and they must complete a 14-week capstone experience.
Students are expected to design a capstone project that demonstrates excellence in a chosen area of study at the level of a doctoral student, and it must be evidence-based. Students may use numerous resources to develop their project; however, one critical piece of the project is the unique design and critical thinking demonstrated in the capstone project proposal. The capstone should be designed within the roles and functions of the occupational therapy practitioner. OT roles are numerous and may include clinician, educator, practitioner, scholar, advocate, consultant, director, administrator, and researcher. These roles may be distinctly different by area of practice, level of clinical experience, or competency of the occupational therapist. The capstone may be focused at the level of an individual client, group, community, or population. The capstone may be designed in one of several areas that align with accreditation standards for the entry-level OTD and may cover a broad range of important areas for the field of occupational therapy. These areas include:
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Clinical practice skills
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Research skills
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Administration
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Leadership
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Program development
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Advocacy
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Education
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Policy development
Personal health insurance is required for all students in this program.
As part of Level I and II fieldwork placements, students will be required to complete an annual criminal background check and fingerprinting. If a student has been convicted of a felony and is uncertain if their conviction may jeopardize potential board certification, they should participate in NBCOT’s Character Review Process and should complete the Early Determination Review to determine eligibility to sit for the NBCOT exam (required for licensure). Students should also check with the Maine State Licensure Bureau regarding eligibility for certification and licensure in the state.
Students are required to become members of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
