Post Post-Professional Education Options for Occupational Therapists: OTD and PhD

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1 Post Post-Professional Education Options for Occupational Therapists: OTD and PhD VIRGIL MATHIOWETZ, PHD, OTR/L, FAOTA KATE BARRETT, OTD, OTR/L 2011 MOTA STATE CONFERENCE Introductions A bit about us A bit about you What brought you here today?

2 Terminal Degrees Need for doctoral-trained occupational therapists Research, Education, and Advanced Clinical Practice Types of doctoral degrees: OTD (Occupational Therapy Doctoral = clinical doctorate) PhD (Doctor of Philosophy = research doctorate) SciD (Doctor of Science) EdD (Doctor of Education) DHS (Doctor of Health Sciences Etc. OTD = Clinical Doctorate Focus on Leadership Advanced clinical practice Education Administration Less emphasis on research Usually fewer credits and time to complete

3 PhD = Research doctorate Focus on research and education Less emphasis on advanced clinical practice and administration Usually more credits and time to complete due to dissertation Usually includes teaching opportunities (TA or adjunct teaching) St. Catherine University OTD Focus of the program: Advanced practice, leadership, and teaching Requirements for completion of the degree Potential faculty advisors and mentors Courses & format of delivery Length of the program See handout for more details Contact Kate Barrett for more information kbarrett@stkate.edu

4 UMN PhD in Rehabilitation Science Focus of the program: Research & education Requirements for completion of the degree Potential Faculty Advisors Courses & format of delivery Length of the program Rehabilitation Science Web page: Contact Virgil Mathiowetz See handout for more details Other PhD Programs at UMN Education: Curriculum & Instruction: Family Youth, & Community Educational Psychology: Special Education Family Social Science Kinesiology: Biomechanics/Neural Control, Exercise Physiology, Motor Learning/Development Neuroscience Public Health: Clinical Research, Community Health Education Etc.

5 PhD and OTD Student Panel What are your professional goals? Why did you choose the doctoral program that you are in? What stage are you in the program? What are the strengths of the program? What are the weaknesses of the program? What recommendations do you have for OTs thinking about a doctoral program? Questions to ask yourself Why do you want a post-professional degree? What do you hope to do with a post-professional degree? How do you know when you are ready to pursue a post-professional degree?

6 Program features to consider: Focus of program: Will it give you the knowledge, skills, and degree that will help you meet your desired career goals? Does the program offer specialty areas or coursework that will give you the kind of final outcome you desire? How flexible is the program in tailoring your coursework to your needs? Quality of the faculty, especially your advisor: Do they have the credentials and expertise to mentor you towards your goals? Is it important to you have an OT as your advisor? What is the reputation of the program? Can you talk to current or previous students about their experience in the program and with their advisor? Program features to consider: Format of program delivery: Are courses on-campus, on-line or hybrid (combination of on-campus/on-line)? What is your preferred learning style? Are there on-campus courses or residency requirements to complete the degree? Length of program: How many courses can you take at one time? Is the program available part-time? What is the length of time allowed to complete the degree? What are the costs of the entire program? What are the requirements for completion of the degree? Dissertation, project presentation, examinations, either written or oral?