Transitional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Graduate Program Directors:
Martha Hartgraves, PhD, OTR/L, CLT
Susan Michlovitz, PT, PhD, CHT (CHT Electives)
Jane K. Sweeney, PT, PhD, PCS (Pediatric Electives)


The vision of the Rocky Mountain of Health Professions (RMUoHP) is to become a nationally and internationally recognized paradigm of excellence for education of healthcare professionals, and to set the global standard for exemplary graduate and post-professional health professions education.

The transitional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is designed to provide meaningful, obtainable, and affordable post professional education and facilitate the development of the 21st century occupational therapist practitioner.  The goal of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions is to address the public’s need for high quality occupational therapy service by providing practicing clinicians with opportunities to develop knowledge, skills, and behaviors commensurate with contemporary practice and education standards.

The primary purpose of the transitional OTD program is to raise the knowledge base of practicing occupational therapists to equal that of the new entry–level OTD degree. The OTD program will broaden the student’s perspective to include current topics such as occupation-centered theory and practice, evidence-based decision-making, the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, and occupational science. In addition, the program will highlight the areas of marketing and administration, educational techniques, and applied research to ensure excellence in the field of occupational therapy. 

Potential students for the OTD program include those with an entry-level bachelor’s or master's degree in occupational therapy. Students may be practitioners or academicians.  Overall, students attracted to this degree should be interested in raising their knowledge base, expanding their practice area, or seeking advancement within their current setting. 

The transitional OTD program is designed for occupational therapist practitioners to pursue a post-professional clinical doctorate without having to relocate, allowing them to manage their current work demands. Students will complete two semesters, each consisting of three modules of coursework. Modules 1 and 3 may consist of required readings and assignments, as well as participation in threaded discussions, online “chat” discussions, and/or phone conferences. Module 2 in each semester requires attendance on-site for lecture, demonstration, etc.  As part of Module 3 in each semester, doctoral students will complete a Directed Independent Study project.  The program takes approximately one year to complete.

The program also offers two elective tracks which provide additional depth and expert guidance in the areas of Hand Rehabilitation and Pediatric Therapy.  To enroll in the Hand Rehabilitation electives, an applicant must be a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT); to enroll in the Pediatrics electives, an applicant must have several years of pediatric experience.

To download the complete curricula, click on the links below!

To apply for this program, please visit the Admissions link.

Program Module Calendars and Application Deadlines

Winter 2009
General Curriculum
Application Deadline:
December 12, 2008

Module 1 (Distance)

Module 2 (On-site)

Module 3 (Distance)

Semester 1
2009

February 16-
March 21

March 22-28

March 29-
July 18

Semester 2
200
9-2010

July 19-
August 15

August 16-22

August 23-
January 15

Winter 2009
Pediatrics Curriculum
Application Deadline:
January 25, 2009

Module 1 (Distance)

Module 2 (On-site)

Module 3 (Distance)

Semester 1
2009

April 14-
May 11

May 12-18 May 19- September 23

Semester 2
2009
-2010

September 24-
October 21

October 22-29 October 30-
June 1