Click here for information about the Graduate Occupational Therapy Department

Occupational therapy is a health profession committed to helping people of all ages participate in necessary and meaningful daily activities of life-or, occupations. The School of Occupational Therapy provides graduate education programs preparing students to become occupational therapists who excel in practice, inquiry and advocacy. Building on the values of liberal education, the program  guides students to become effective practitioners in diverse settings, to improve the profession by engaging in scholarship, and to provide leadership and advocacy local and national  levels. In conjunction with its educational mission, the School engages with the larger professional and client community to encourage high quality services and to advocate for the health and participation of people, organizations, and populations through engagement in meaningful occupations.

Degrees Offered  The School of Occupational Therapy offers an entry-level master of science in occupational therapy (MSOT) degree and an entry-level occupational therapy doctorate degree (ELOTD). Both  degree levels are acceptable routes of entry into the occupational therapy profession and prepare graduates to be entry-level practitioners.

Undergraduate Information/ Preparation for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.) and the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Degree Programs (O.T.D.)

Students enter the Occupational Therapy programs at the graduate level. Students with an undergraduate degree in any major will be considered for admission to either degree program as long as they have met the program prerequisite. There are several majors at Brenau specifically designed to provide the undergraduate preparation for entry into the O.T. programs. Students who take the substantial portion of their undergraduate work at Brenau are given preference for admission if all prerequisite requirements are met. Please click on the links below for the information specific to these options.

• Post Baccalaureate Pre-Occupational Therapy Program  for those with prior degrees: Students who already possess a bachelor’s degree and who wish to take program prerequisites may enroll in the Pre-OT Post Baccalaureate Program which consists of all program prerequisite courses. Students may choose this option if they wish to complete some or all of the required O.T. pre-requisite courses at Brenau.
• Health Science (B.S.) [Pre-OT]  
• Psychology (B.S.) [Pre-OT]  
• Dance (B.A.) - with Pre-OT concentration  

Accreditation  Both the entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree and entry-level occupational therapy doctorate degree programs are fully 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. 

Professional Certification After completion of an entry-level occupational therapy degree from an accredited program, graduates are qualified to sit for the national certification examination 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’s web address is www.nbcot.org

Most states require licensure to practice occupational therapy. State licenses are typically based, in part, on the results of the NBCOT® certification examination. All applicants should be aware that the certification and licensing boards have the right to refuse to grant occupational therapy certification and/or licenses to any individuals regardless of their educational credentials under circumstances of: 1) falsification of application for certification/ licensure; 2) conviction of a felony or crime of moral turpitude; and, 3) other moral and legal violations specified in relevant state laws. An applicant who thinks he or she may have an applicable situation should talk with the program director early in the program of study.

Center for Productive Living

The Center for Productive Living (CPL), housed within the School of Occupational Therapy, provides services to the community while at the same time providing educational opportunities for Brenau students. The CPL reflects the School’s commitment to promote health through engagement in life by facilitating opportunities for all individuals to participate in purposeful and meaningful occupations of their choice. Further, the CPL provides students and faculty members, as well as clients and community members, the opportunity to engage in activities which help remove barriers to social participation.

Occupational therapy students with supervision from licensed occupational therapists provide services. The program is scheduled each semester based on both community and student learning needs. The CPL is located at the School of Occupational Therapy at Brenau East located at 999 Chestnut St. SE, Gainesville, GA 30501, with additional programs offered at the North Atlanta (Norcross) Campus Occupational Therapy Department located at 3139 Campus Drive, Norcross, GA 30071. For information about services, please call (678) 707-5010.
 

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Occupational Therapy Graduate Information

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

In the accredited Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program, students prepare to become occupational therapists who excel in practice, inquiry, and advocacy and are committed to helping all people participate in the things they want and need to do. Students are guided to become excellent practitioners in diverse settings, to improve the profession by engaging in practice, scholarship, and to provide leadership and advocacy ranging from local to international levels. The MSOT is 85 credit hours and offered in two program tracks at two different locations:

Gainesville Day MSOT Program: This program is full-time, year-round for 6 semesters with the curriculum delivered face-to-face Monday-Friday 8-6 on the Brenau East Campus in Gainesville, GA. Level I Fieldwork (clinical) experiences are integrated into the didactic portion of the curriculum with Level II Fieldwork toward the end of the program. Students can expect to devote 30-50 hours each week in class meetings, fieldwork experiences, and assignments with occasional evening and weekend events. A new cohort begins each August with applications due December 2 of the preceding year.

Norcross Hybrid Weekend MSOT Program: This program is full-time, year-round for 7 semesters with the curriculum delivered in a hybridized format with fewer courses each semester. Students complete online learning during the week and come to the North Atlanta-Norcross Campus in Norcross, GA for face-to-face learning on Fridays, 1 pm-9 pm, and Saturdays, 8 am-5:30 pm for 8-9 weekends per semester. Weekly Level I Fieldwork (clinical) experiences, typically on Thursdays, are integrated into the didactic portion of the curriculum with full-time Level II Fieldwork toward the end of the program. Students can expect to devote 30+ hours each week completing online synchronous and asynchronous learning activities, fieldwork experiences, and assignments. Successful students are self-directed learners with experience in on-line learning. There is limited time for outside employment, but more flexibility for weekday work hours. A new cohort begins each January with applications due June 2 of the preceding year.

Educational Outcomes: Professional Entry M.S.O.T Program

The Master of Science in occupational therapy (MSOT) program prepares practitioners, skilled in professional reasoning, who engage in evidence-based and theory-driven practice, scholarly inquiry, and professional advocacy in order to promote the health, well-being, quality of life and participation of people in the communities in which they live.

Specific educational goals are to develop occupational therapists who can:

1. Provide high quality professional occupational therapy services in diverse practice environments including medical, educational and community settings.

2. Demonstrate knowledge and skills.

3. Communicate professionally in written and oral form using applicable technological resources.

4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of occupational therapy and occupational science theories and their utility for guiding practice and research.

5. Conduct and use research to inform practice.

6. Participate in life-long professional development.

7. Participate in life-long personal development related to self-awareness, spirituality, and life-time fitness.

8. Contribute to the development of the profession through ongoing professional activities.

9. Reflect the values and attitudes of the profession through ethical practice.

10. Analyze socio-cultural factors affecting practice, including organizational, legal and global/political issues.

11. Advocate for societal acceptance of individuals with occupational performance problems in order to support access to and participation in desired activities.

Please see the Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.)  program for prerequisite and graduation requirements.

Admission Process

The School of Occupational Therapy uses a holistic admissions process. Consideration for MSOT program admission includes the student’s academic ability, related work and/or leadership activities, familiarity with occupational therapy, group interview, writing sample, and references, and experience with online learning for hybrid. Overall GPA of 3.0 is required; prerequisite course GPA of 3.0 is preferred. All prerequisites/degrees must be completed by June 1 prior to class start in August and September 1 for January start date.

The School of Occupational Therapy uses a holistic admissions process. Consideration for MSOT program admission include the potential student’s academic ability, related work and/or leadership activities, familiarity with occupational therapy, group interview, writing sample and professional references. Potential students will: 1) Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, or receive a baccalaureate degree by June 1st of the admission year; 2) Have an overall minimum GPA of 3.0; prerequisite course GPA of 3.0 is preferred; 3) Recommend 40 hours of observation in at least two different occupational therapy practice settings; and, 4) Complete the 8 prerequisite courses within the last 8 years, from an accredited college or university, with a grade of “C” or better, no later than June 1st of the admission year. At time of application submission, should have at least 5 prerequisite courses complete, or currently enrolled, with 2 of those being science courses. AP credit is accepted physics and statistics prerequisite courses with receipt of official College Board report, submitted directly to Brenau University. CLEP credit can be accepted for lifespan, introduction to sociology, and statistics prerequisite courses.

The Brenau School of Occupational Therapy participates in the Occupational Therapy Centralized Applications Service, known as OTCAS. To be considered for admission to MSOT program, potential students submit a complete online OTCAS application package. The OTCAS application requires each applicant to include the following: 1) three professional references with at least one from an occupational therapist; 2) recommend of 40 hours of observation/shadowing in at least two different occupational therapy practice settings; and, 3) a copy of official transcripts from all previous institutions. To learn more about the OTCAS application process, visit the OTCAS website. Documents submitted for admission through the OTCAS system will count as official submissions to the University.

Due to the competitive nature of the program applications, meeting admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Students who meet the admission requirements may be invited to participate in an interview and to submit an additional writing sample. Applications are evaluated based on the admission requirements. A wait list of qualified students is maintained until the program track cohort is filled and finalized.

International Applicants:

Applicants with F-1 Visa must complete the following by the application deadline:

1. Submit a course-by-course NACES-approved transcript evaluation for any non-US courses to be sent directly to Brenau University; and,
2. If the applicant’s first language is not English, one of the following is required:
   1. IELTS score of 6.5
   2. Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 213 (Computer-based test)
   3. Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 79 (Internet-based test)

ENTRY-LEVEL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DOCTORATE

The Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral ( ELOTD) program prepares autonomous, evidence informed practitioners who create, reflect on, and integrate knowledge of occupation-centered practice with scientific research in order to promote the health, well-being, quality of life and participation of people and the communities in which they live. Delivered face-to-face, this 9 semester, 110 credit hour full-time program starts a cohort each August. Classes occur Monday through Friday 8 am-5:30 pm on the North Atlanta Campus in Norcross, GA. The curriculum emphasizes global health including a hands-on opportunity to provide serves to the underserved and includes the required Level I and Level II Fieldwork experiences as well as the capstone project and internship. Courses are offered once per year according to the program sequence.

Educational Outcomes: Professional Entry OTD Program

The entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (ELOTD) degree program prepares autonomous, evidence informed practitioners who create, reflect on, and integrate knowledge of occupation-centered practice with scientific research in order to promote the health, well-being, quality of life and participation of people and the communities in which they live.  Specific educational goals are to develop occupational therapists who can:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in order to develop and provide occupation-centered and evidence-informed occupational therapy services in diverse practice environments.
2. Deliver competent, efficient, and client-centered occupational therapy services to maximize health, well-being and participation in everyday life.
3. Communicate effectively in written and oral form in order to represent the distinct value of occupational therapy services.
4. Embody the values and attitudes of the occupational therapy profession through the demonstration of ethical and best practices in interprofessional environments.
5. Demonstrate advanced skills for professional roles in practice, advocacy, leadership, scholarship, education and management.
6. Engage in scholarship to provide evidence that informs practice, programs, and autonomous decision making. 

Admission Process

The School of Occupational Therapy uses a holistic admissions process. Consideration for ELOTD program admission includes the student’s academic ability, experience working with diverse people, familiarity with occupational therapy, essay, references, and group interview. Potential students will: 1) Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, or receive a baccalaureate degree by June 1st of the admission year; 2) Have an overall minimum GPA of 3.0; a prerequisite course GPA of 3.0 is preferred; 3) GRE is recommended but not required: Prefer GRE score of 285 or greater and an analytical writing score of 3.5 or higher (GRE Code: 4824); 4) Recommend 40 hours of observation in at least two different occupational therapy practice settings; and, 5) Complete the 8 prerequisite courses within the last 8 years, from an accredited college or university, with a grade of “C” or better, no later than June 1st of the admission year. At time of application submission, should have at least 5 prerequisite courses complete, or currently enrolled, with 2 of those being science courses. AP credit is accepted physics and statistics prerequisite courses with receipt of official College Board report, submitted directly to Brenau University. CLEP credit accepted for lifespan, introduction to sociology, and statistics prerequisite courses.

The Brenau School of Occupational Therapy participates in the Occupational Therapy Centralized Applications Service, known as OTCAS. To be considered for admission to ELOTD program, potential students submit a complete online OTCAS application package. The OTCAS application requires each applicant to include the following: 1) three professional references with at least one from an occupational therapist; 2) recommended 40 hours of observation/shadowing in at least two different occupational therapy practice settings; and, 3) a copy of official transcripts from all previous institutions. To learn more about the OTCAS application process, visit the OTCAS website. Documents submitted for admission through the OTCAS system will count as official submissions to the University.

Due to the competitive nature of the program applications, meeting admission requirements does not guarantee admission. A wait list of qualified students is maintained until the program track cohort is filled and finalized.

International Applicants:

Applicants with F-1 Visa must complete the following by the application deadline:

1. Submit a course-by-course NACES-approved transcript evaluation for any non-US courses to be sent directly to Brenau University; and,
2. If the applicant’s first language is not English, one of the following is required:
   1. IELTS score of 6.5
   2. Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 213 (Computer-based test)
   3. Test of English as a Modern Language (TOEFL) score of 79 (Internet-based test)

OT Progression Policies and Procedures

Students must successfully complete all coursework and fieldwork experiences in order to graduate from the program and be eligible for degree conferral. The following academic requirements must be met for students to remain classified in good standing and progress through the occupational therapy (OT) program.

1. Consistent with the Brenau Graduate School requirements, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA while in the program; a cumulative 3.0 GPA is required to graduate.
   1. Academic Probation: If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, the student will be placed on Academic Probation by the University.
   2. Academic Suspension: Students will be placed on Academic Suspension by the University following a second semester cumulative GPA below 3.0. Students who are placed on Academic Suspension by the University will be automatically dismissed from the OT program. Refer to the Brenau University Catalog for information on Graduate Academic Probation and Academic Suspension.
2. Students must successfully complete all courses with a C or better. A student who receives below a C in any course will be automatically dismissed from the School of Occupational Therapy (SOT). Students should refer to the Brenau University Catalog for information on Graduate Course Grade Appeal(s) and timelines.
   1. Students who have been dismissed from the SOT will receive a letter of notification from the SOT Director and are not permitted to attend or participate in OT courses, fieldwork, or related activities.
   2. Students who have been dismissed may only apply for readmission to the SOT one time. Readmission is not automatic or guaranteed. If a student is readmitted into the SOT, all courses with a grade of “D” or “F” must be repeated and successfully completed with a grade of “B” or higher. If the repeated course(s) has a corresponding lecture or lab, that course must be simultaneously audited. Students may be required to complete additional coursework or meet specified criteria in order to be readmitted.
   3. Pending successful completion of repeated course(s), readmitted students will join the next available cohort in the same program track to which they were originally admitted.
   4. All readmitted students will be placed and remain on academic probation for the duration of their program.
3. Students must demonstrate satisfactory professional behaviors, ethical and safe behavior in all classes and fieldwork. Documentation of unsatisfactory ratings of professional behavior in two or more semesters may be grounds for dismissal from the University.
4. Level II Fieldwork must be successfully completed within 24 months of academic program completion.
5. Students must complete their degree within 150% of the published length of the program.

OT Readmission Procedures

1. Following notification of dismissal from the SOT, the student must meet with their OT Academic Advisor to discuss the dismissal and academic options.
2. To request readmission to the SOT, the student must submit a formal letter to the SOT Director and their OT Academic Advisor. The letter should identify the barriers encountered during the program and include an outline of the steps planned to ensure academic success if readmitted.
3. The SOT Director will review the readmission request with the student’s OT Academic Advisor and respective members of the SOT Leadership Team to determine if the request is eligible for expedited review or requires a full review by the Progression Committee. Students may be asked to provide additional information to the SOT Progression Committee
4. Based on the recommendation from the SOT Progression Committee, the SOT Director will make a final decision on the readmission request.
5. The SOT Director issues a letter regarding the readmission decision to the student, the OT Academic Advisor, the Dean of the Ivester College of Health Sciences, the Provost’s Office, and the Registrar’s Office.
6. If readmitted, the student must then follow up with their OT Academic Advisor to determine next steps regarding their return into the program. The OT Academic Advisor works with the respective Site Coordinator to revise the student’s program plan and communicates the updated plan to the SOT Director, SOT Fieldwork Team, respective SOT Office Manager, and the SOT Operations Manager.

Reactivation Procedures

1. Students, in good academic standing, who have not enrolled in the OT program for more than one semester because of an approved medical withdrawal, and who wish to return must contact their OT Academic Advisor for information about options to rejoin the program. Students must follow the Reactivation procedures described in the Brenau University Catalog. The Director of the School of OT will email the Registrar’s Office indicating approval for the student’s return to the OT program.
2. Students who have a lapse of enrollment in the OT program for one semester or more must apply for reinstatement to the OT program following the Readmission Procedures.

OT Grading Scale

Criteria for grading is discussed at the beginning of each course and will be included in the course syllabi. Certain assignments/ quizzes/ exams may have minimum grade expectations. All grades and evaluations earned by the student and issued by the faculty are based upon the quality of the student’s overall academic performance both in and out of class. The School of Occupational Therapy follows the Brenau University grade policy for final course grades using the following OT Grading Scale: A equals 90-100 points/percent; B equals 80-89 points/percent; C equals 75-79 points/percent; D equals 69-74 points; and, F equals below 69 points. Students must successfully complete all courses with a C or better.

Attendance Requirements

Students are expected to attend and participate in class regularly and to contact course instructors for any absence. Absences, whether planned or because of illness, must be sanctioned by the School of Occupational Therapy to be considered an “excused” absence. Reasonable excuses include acute illness/injury, death in the family or significant family crisis, an approved college-sponsored activity, and a major religious holiday. All absences other than excused absences shall be considered “unexcused” absences. OT programs, the instructors and course syllabi may incorporate stricter attendance policies which supersede those described below. Students are to assume responsibility for meeting all requirements as specified in the course syllabus.

Gainesville and Norcross Day Programs Students who miss more than 20 percent of the scheduled class sessions for whatever reason may be removed from the class with a failing grade due to non-attendance and non-participation.

Norcross Weekend Program Due to the limited number of on-ground class sessions, students who miss more than one class period or the equivalent (which is four hours) may be at risk for receiving a failing grade due to non-attendance and non-participation.

Special Fees and Expenses

In addition to the University tuition and fees, students are responsible for additional expenses for fieldwork, lab fees, and textbooks for selected courses and other required certifications, examinations, coverage, and memberships needed for completion of the O.T. program.

• Textbooks The School of Occupational Therapy (SOT) faculty consider textbooks essential to each student’s education and development as an entry-level occupational therapy professional. The faculty recognize the student expense involved in textbook purchases and considers text bundling, electronic versions, and online resources during the adoption process. When possible, textbooks will be used in multiple courses across the curriculum; these will be identified as Core texts. Each semester, students will receive a list of the required and recommend text(s) for the course.
• E*Value database Students are charged a  annual fee for the E*Value web database to maintain health records and other professional resources including a professional portfolio. Students retain access to E*Value for a period of time after graduation from the program.
• Fieldwork Expenses Students must be able to provide their own transportation to fieldwork sites. Level I Fieldwork sites may occur within a 90 minute drive of the campus or the student’s residential address as listed in E*Value. Students should plan early in their curriculum for potential future costs associated with Level II fieldwork, to include travel (at least one Level II may occur out of area/state), housing, site required clothing, additional background check requirements, immunizations, etc. as listed below.

1. Students may have to pay transportation, parking and meals during fieldwork experiences.
2. Students may have to pay for random drug tests required either by the program or the fieldwork site.
3. Students are expected to pay for criminal background checks throughout the program for Brenau University and possibly for the fieldwork sites.
4. Students are expected to pay any costs associated with immunizations required by the program and fieldwork sites.
5. Students may need to pay additional fees associated by fieldwork sites related to management of student records during the fieldwork experience.
6. Students are also expected to cover tuition costs and living expenses related to the two required full-time (typically 12-week) fieldwork experiences (OT 715 and OT 716 or OT815 and OT816). In addition, these fieldwork experiences typically require working over 40 hours per week, making it extremely difficult to work during the completion of these experiences. Therefore, students must plan well in advance to cover all of their costs for the semester that they are in full-time fieldwork.

• Laptop computer Students will find that the program practices necessitate a laptop computer which meets specifications consistent with Brenau IT guidelines available on the Brenau IT web page and sufficient internet access. Students are required to own a computer that has sufficient memory for the use of streaming video or audio, as well as significant word and data processing. At present, the Microsoft Office Suite is the standard product used by all instructors, so students are expected to have computers that have compatible software for all coursework.
• Liability Insurance is provided by the University and is not valid after the student leaves the program.
• Tuition and University Fees are the same as those published on the University website.
• Lab/Course Fees are assigned as needed to cover consumable materials, such as supplies, assessments, and NBCOT tests used in the course of teaching. These are posted online in the course listings. Fees are billed at the time of registration.
• State and National Professional Organizations Students are expected to obtain and remain members of the student, state and national professional organizations, and can obtain fee costs from the relevant organizations as noted in the School of Occupational Therapy Handbook. Proof of membership is required within two courses in the O.T. program.
• Research and Capstone Projects may have expenses ranging from $200-600 which includes costs associated with conducting the research or project. Depending upon the method chosen, there may be costs for creating posters and/or presentations and/or duplicating materials.
• Graduation fees are listed in the Catalog and are billed to the student account by the registrar’s office.

If for any reason a student is unable to comply with required fees and deadlines, the student is expected to notify his or her advisor in a timely manner, so that the student may be referred to the appropriate financial support resources.

Health and Other Special Requirements

Students in the School of Occupational Therapy (SOT) are required to obtain, upload, and maintain current immunizations and certifications in order to participate in required fieldwork and off site learning experiences. Initial documents must be uploaded into the E*Value system no later than thirty days from the student’s program start date. Students are responsible for ensuring renewal and updating documentation in E*Value prior to all expiration date(s) and/or designated deadlines. All requirements must be up to date and current at all times during the program. Failure to update necessary documentation by expiration date(s) or designated deadline(s) may result in a delay in fieldwork start date(s), removal from course(s), and/or delay the student’s progression in the program. Certain fieldwork sites may require additional health documentation. Students must comply with site-specific requirements including, but not limited to, orientation/on-boarding and additional health documentation requirements in the period designated by the fieldwork site.

• Measles vaccinations (or titer proving immunity)
• Mumps vaccinations (or titer proving immunity)
• Rubella vaccinations (or titer proving immunity)
• Varicella vaccinations/Chicken Pox (or titer proving immunity. History of the disease is not sufficient for proof of immunity)
• Hepatitis B series vaccinations and a titer proving immunity
• Tetanus or Tdap vaccinations (required every 10 years)
• COVID-19 vaccinations (or University approved exemption)
• Annual Tuberculin Skin Test (PPD)
• Annual Physical Exam
• American Heart Association or Red Cross: Basic Life Saver for Healthcare Providers (CPR and AED) Program (In person or blended format only. Fully online courses are not acceptable.)
• Health Insurance
• Background Check and Drug Screen, through University designated vendor
• American Occupational Therapy Association annual student membership
• Georgia Occupational Therapy Association (or other state) annual student membership
• HIPAA/OSHA Training through SOT designated vendor

Course Sequence and Requirements  The professional entry-level program tracks are scheduled as cohort programs, and courses are generally offered only once a year in each program site. Successful completion of Level I and Level II Fieldwork experiences is necessary for degree completion. Course sequences for each program track location are available on the web site.

Essential Functions  Admitted students are required to meet essential functions necessary for an occupational therapy student. A list of these is available from the School of Occupational Therapy, the Student Handbook, and is also on the School website. Reasonable accommodations are provided consistent with Brenau Policies.

General Certification and Licensure Requirements  After completion of an entry-level occupational therapy degree from an accredited program, graduates are qualified to sit for the national certification examination 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®). Most states require licensure to practice occupational therapy. State licenses are typically based, in part, on the results of the NBCOT® certification examination. All students should be aware that the certification and licensing boards have the right to refuse to grant occupational therapy certification and/or licenses to any individuals regardless of their educational credentials under circumstances of:

1. falsification of application for certification/ licensure;
2. conviction of a felony or crime of moral turpitude; and,
3. other moral and legal violations specified in relevant state laws.

Any student who thinks he or she may have an applicable situation should talk with the respective program director either prior to admission or shortly thereafter.

Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy

The School of Occupational Therapy offers a post-professional program for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) degree for individuals with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy.

Purpose

The Post Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) program is designed for practicing occupational therapists who want to advance practice and their professional development. This doctoral program is based on the belief that advanced practice in occupational therapy requires a synthesis of expert knowledge, effective professional reasoning, and the ability to communicate and share knowledge with others. The program curriculum integrates the Brenau University School of Occupational Therapy philosophy by preparing students to advance and excel in their ability to engage and lead in practice, inquiry and advocacy.

In this program, students engage in mindful and ongoing examination of their experiences and assumptions about practice as they learn more about emerging theories, research, and clinical practice. The PPOTD curriculum prepares students to advance practice and their professional development through multiple routes including scholarship; leadership; program development and management; skill with evidence based practice; education of students, practitioners co-workers, clients, families, and communities; promotion and engagement in clinical research; development of new businesses; and/or gaining support and funding for their goals.

Educational Outcomes: Post-Professional PPOTD Program

Upon completion of the PPOTD program, students will be able to:

1. Clearly articulate their professional reasoning and support the development of professional reasoning in others.
2. Facilitate and promote ethical leadership in practice, education, and clinical research.
3. Find, evaluate, and incorporate research evidence when making practice and programmatic decisions.
4. Develop new programs that meet societal needs for participation in occupations.
5. Find and solicit support and/or funding for advanced practice, clinical research, and/or educational initiatives.
6. Critically review and synthesize information about the multiple and complex factors that influence practice and professional roles.
7. Develop and provide education to adults in diverse health and education contexts based upon best practices in learning theory and teaching methods
8. Effectively disseminate information about projects or programs in both oral and written formats.

PPOTD Program Location This program will be conducted primarily online. Students will be required to attend one two-day weekend each semester, on either the Historic Gainesville Campus or the North Atlanta/Norcross Site. All programs are cohort programs.

Admissions Process

Post-Professional PPOTD students are admitted in the fall. The admissions committee will review applications from practicing therapists who meet the admission requirements including a letter of intent that details their professional interests in a post-professional PPOTD degree. Applications are evaluated based on the admission requirements and will continue until the cohort is filled.

Admission Requirements Admission to the PPOTD program is competitive. There is no graduate entrance examination (GRE/MAT) requirement, but the following academic and other admission criteria must be met for consideration.

1. Currently practicing and licensed occupational therapist
2. Master’s degree or at least 30 credits of graduate coursework, and official transcripts
3. Minimum overall GPA in college and graduate coursework of 3.0
4. Letter of intent describing professional goals, interests, potential capstone interest with potential contributions to occupational therapy practice
5. Resume
6. Three professional references who can address the applicant’s professional abilities, academic and leadership potential.

Progression Requirements

The following requirements must be met for students to remain classified as in good standing in the PPOTD program, therefore earning the right to continue in the program:

1. Consistent with the Graduate School requirements, a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA must be maintained while at Brenau to be considered in good standing. Refer to the Brenau Catalog for information. Students who do not meet university academic standards will be dismissed from the university as noted in the graduate portion of the catalog. Dismissal from the university results in an automatic dismissal from the PPOTD Program.
2. Students who achieve below a C in the PPOTD program will be dismissed from the program. A student who is dismissed from a program may appeal and/or reapply. Readmission is not automatic. A grade of “C ” or below requires that the course be repeated. Refer to the Brenau Catalog for procedures.
3. Courses within the PPOTD curriculum may have specific grade requirements for students to progress within the curriculum. The course syllabus gives information about specific grading requirements.
4. PPOTD students are expected to enroll in the capstone project starting their second semester and continuing with enrollment each semester until the capstone project is completed. If there are extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical, family), the PPOTD student may request a leave of absence and then return to resume the program.
5. PPOTD students are required to complete the PPOTD program within four years from their matriculation into the Post Professional PPOTD program.

Readmission after Dismissal

After being dismissed from the PPOTD program, a student may be readmitted one time. Formal requests for readmission to the university must be submitted to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs as outlined in the Graduate portion of the catalog. The Director will advise the Provost regarding recommendations for readmission. Additional documentation may be required. The Director of the School of Occupational Therapy determine the documentation required for the student’s readmission. Students may be required to complete additional coursework or meet specified criteria to be readmitted. All readmitted students will be on probation for one semester. Readmission is not automatic.

Program Special Fees and Expenses

• Professional Organization Memberships - Memberships in the American Occupational Therapy Association and the student’s state or regional organization are required. Information from these organizations is routinely used in coursework.
• Laptop computer - Students will find that the program practices necessitate a laptop computer which meets specifications consistent with Brenau IT guidelines available on the Brenau IT web page. The University charges a Technology Fee each semester. For fee costs and what is covered refer to that section of the Catalog. Students are required to own a computer that has sufficient memory for the use of streaming video or audio, as well as significant word and data processing. At present, the Microsoft Office Suite is the standard product used by all instructors, so students are expected to have computers that have compatible software for all coursework.
• Course Sequence and Requirements - The post-professional doctoral program courses are offered only once a year. Course sequences are available on the web site.

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Programs

• Occupational Therapy (M.S.O.T.)
• Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.)
• Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.) Entry Level
• Post Baccalaureate Pre-Occupational Therapy Program

Courses

• CD 230 - Human Occupation and Lifestyle Design
• CD 415 - Qualitative Research
• CD 615 - Qualitative Methods for Evidence Based Practice
• CD 900 - Professional Reasoning
• CD 901 - Scholarship of Practice
• CD 902 - Leadership, Ethics, and Advocacy
• CD 903 - Teaching in Practice, Community, & Classroom
• CD 904 - Program Development
• CD 905 - Program Development and Systems
• CD 906 - Adult Learning and Development
• CD 920 - Qualitative Research Methods
• CD 921 - Adv Qualitative Research Methods
• CD 923 - Single Subject & Small-n Design for Practice Studies
• CD 924 - Research Systems: Organization & Support
• CD 938 - Instruments and Measurements for Practice
• CD 950 - Advanced Anatomy of the Upper Limb
• CD 951 - Advanced Neuroscience
• OT 500 - Clinical Research Project
• OT 600 - Professional Reasoning
• OT 601 - Occupational Theories in Research and Practice
• OT 603 - Foundations of Practice
• OT 606 - Professional Reasoning - Client Centered Care
• OT 607 - Professional Reasoning - Adolescent/Adults
• OT 608 - Professional Reasoning - Adult/Older Adults
• OT 609 - Professional Reasoning - Infants and Children
• OT 610 - Clinical Human Anatomy
• OT 610L - Clinical Human Anatomy Lab
• OT 611 - Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
• OT 612 - Evidence Based Practice and Professional Literacy
• OT 613 - Introduciton to Scholarly Study for Evidence Based Practice
• OT 614 - Research Supervision 2
• OT 617 - Level 1 FW - Community Based/Mental Health/DD
• OT 618 - Level 1 FW - Adult and Older Adult
• OT 619 - Level 1 FW - Infants and Children
• OT 621 - Functional Kinesiology
• OT 621L - Functional Kinesiology in OT Lab
• OT 622 - Functional Kinesiology in OT
• OT 624 - Occupational Therapy - Adolescents and Adults
• OT 626 - Occupational Therapy - Adults and Older Adults
• OT 628 - Occupational Therapy - Infants and Children
• OT 634 - Occupational Therapy Applications - Adolescent and Adults
• OT 636 - Occupational Therapy Applications - Adults and Older Adults
• OT 638 - Occupational Therapy Applications - Infants and Children
• OT 639 - Neuroscience
• OT 640 - Supervision & Service Management
• OT 655 - OT Community Based Practice
• OT 660 - Administration Issues in Healthcare
• OT 665 - Clinical Conditions - Adults and Older Adults
• OT 667 - Clinical Conditions - Infants, Children and Adolescents
• OT 670 - Conditions Across the Lifespan
• OT 680 - Advanced OT Process
• OT 701 - Graduate Seminar
• OT 705 - Instruments and Measurement
• OT 710 - Advanced Anatomy of the Upper Limb
• OT 711 - Scholary Study I
• OT 714 - Advanced Neuroscience
• OT 715 - Level II Fieldwork
• OT 716 - Level II Fieldwork
• OT 720 - Special Topics in Occupational Therapy
• OT 721 - Scholarly Study II
• OT 722 - Supervision and Administrative Issues in OT
• OT 723 - Vision
• OT 724 - Assistive Technology
• OT 725 - Health Education and Promotion
• OT 726 - OT for Individuals with Upper Extremity Impairments
• OT 727 - Applications for the Upper Extremity
• OT 727L - OT Applications ofr the Upper Extremity Lab
• OT 731 - Sensory Integration
• OT 745 - Specialty Elective
• OT 750 - Specialty Elective
• OT 760 - Professional Development Planning
• OT 803 - Foundations of Occupation 1
• OT 804 - Foundations of Occupation 2
• OT 806 - Professional Communication & Therapeutic Use of Self
• OT 807 - Level I Fieldwork A: Professional Reasoning
• OT 808 - Level I Fieldwork B: Professional Reasoning
• OT 809 - Level I Fieldwork C: Professional Reasoning
• OT 810 - Anatomy & Movement for Occupations 1
• OT 810L - Anatomy & Movement for Occupations 1 Lab
• OT 811 - Anatomy & Movement for Occupations 2
• OT 811L - Anatomy & Movement for Occupations 2 Lab
• OT 812 - Professional Literacy and Scholarly Inquiry
• OT 813 - Data Gathering & Measurement of Occupational Performance
• OT 814 - Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
• OT 815 - Level II Fieldwork
• OT 816 - Level II Fieldwork
• OT 822 - Supervision and Administrative Issues in OT
• OT 824 - Mental Health, Cognition & Participation
• OT 824L - Mental Health, Cognition & Participation Lab
• OT 825 - Health Promotion & Wellness
• OT 826 - Occupations of Adults & Older Adults
• OT 826L - Occupations of Adults & Older Adults Lab
• OT 828 - Occupations of Infants & Children
• OT 828L - Occupations of Infants & Children Lab
• OT 839 - Neuroscience Implications for Performance Skills
• OT 845 - OT Applications for the UE and Physical Agent Modalities
• OT 845L - OT Applications for the UE and Physical Agent Modalities Lab
• OT 850 - Assistive Technology & Adaptations for Occupations
• OT 861 - Preparation for Practice 1: Interprofessional Teams
• OT 862 - Preparation for Practice 2: Entrepreneur & Academic
• OT 865 - Conditions Across the Lifespan