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    Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate, PPOTD

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    If you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy, you can advance your studies in the areas of clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, education and program development through the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate (PPOTD) program.

    Nebraska Methodist College’s PPOTD program gives you flexibility for your busy schedule. Graduates of the program will develop lifelong skills to advance their careers in occupational therapy, promote interpersonal relationships, communicate effectively, apply critical reasoning skills, exhibit leadership characteristics and more.

    The PPOTD program will offer two tracks: clinical leadership and OT educator. Both tracks will have core curriculum, with each track including courses geared towards becoming a healthcare leader in a multi-disciplinary environment; or for those who wish to pursue a path of becoming an academic OT educator.

    Program Perks
    • 100% online format
    • Courses are 10 weeks long, with scheduled breaks every 5 weeks.
    • OTs holding a Professional Doctorate degree increased from 2.7% in 2010, to 9.6% in 2018 (AOTA 2019 Workforce and Salary Survey)
    • OTs listing their primary work in academia rose from 5.8% in 2010, to 6.9% in 2018 (AOTA 2019 Workforce and Salary)
    • Academia settings have highest median salary for OTs, with a national average of $83,000 (AOTA 2019 Workforce and Salary)
    • Can be completed in 24 months.
    • No GRE required for admission.

    Accreditation & Licensure

    Nebraska Methodist College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

    Admissions Information

    Criteria

    Applicants are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

    • Bachelor of Science or master’s degree in occupational therapy from an ACOTE accredited occupational therapy program
      • OT degree GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
    • Copy of NBCOT certification and current state license/certification in a US jurisdiction
    • Written Statement rubric score
    • Non-Nebraska residents meet State Authorization

    Requirements

    To be considered for admission, the following items must be submitted to the admissions office:

    • Free NMC online application
    • Three professional and/or academic reference letters
    • Written statement
    • Resume
    • Official college transcripts and/or certificates from graduating institutions
    • Copy of NBCOT certification AND current state licensure/certification in a US jurisdiction
    • Professional consultation with NMC representative (completed once all application materials are submitted)

    Deadlines

    Prospective students may apply anytime and are accepted from deadlines throughout the year. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and students will be notified of their application status by letter or phone.

    Starting Term - Fall 2021

    Priority Deadline - 2/16/2021

    Standard Deadline - 6/1/2021

    Starting Term - Spring 2022

    Priority Deadline - 10/1/2021

    Standard Deadline - 11/5/2021

    Costs & Financial Aid

    NMC is committed to helping you find every avenue to finance your education. View the Tuition by Program & Degree page for a comprehensive list of all fees.

    Applicant must be a graduate of an ACOTE® accredited program, or be a degree-seeking candidate at the time of application. Students applying while completing a Post-Professional’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate Degree program must successfully pass the NBCOT examination within two months of starting the doctorate program. Specific coursework or practice area concentration are not required if all other criteria are met.

    NMC encourages students to apply for all types of assistance for which they are qualified.

    Cost Per Credit Hour

    $793

    Student Grants or Loans

    Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about what's available and how to apply.

    Employee Education Benefits

    Employees of Methodist Health System can find details on the MHS Intranet.

    External Scholarships

    Visit our Scholarships page to learn more.

    Calculate Your Net Price

    Nebraska Methodist College Net Price Calculator.

    Curriculum

    The Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate curriculum includes online and work or classroom experiences, depending on the student’s chosen track of study.

    All coursework follows an online format, with access to faculty with years of teaching, leadership and academia experience.

    Work and classroom experiences for the practicum experiences can be completed in the online, hybrid, or face-to-face format

    Core

    OTH 805
    Policy and Advocacy for the Practice Leader
    DETAILS

    This course focuses on the analysis of public policy and its’ impact on occupational therapy practice.  Local, state, and national processes for the development of occupational therapy practice standards are examined. The role of professional associations and the individual practitioner in advocacy for the occupational therapy profession is explored.

    OTH 810
    Leadership Behavior and Team-Based Collaboration
    DETAILS

    This course addresses understanding of personal leadership characteristics and styles, and introduces differences between leadership and management. The course will explore leadership theory and discussion of real-life scenarios. Team communication strategies will be explored, with emphasis on leading a multi-disciplinary team.

    OTH 812
    EBP in Community-Based Health and Wellness
    DETAILS

    This course examines occupational therapy service delivery in community-based practice settings such as assisted living facilities, homeless shelters, and after-school programs. The role of OT in addressing population health needs is examined. The use of evidence based assessments and interventions to maximize the health and wellness and occupational performance of populations is addressed. 

    OTH 815
    Program Design, Evaluation, and Funding
    DETAILS

    This course addresses the practice skill of planning for and developing programs within the scope of occupational therapy.  Students will develop the ability to complete a comprehensive needs assessment, program planning, and program design for an identified emerging practice need. Grant writing as a means to support developing programs will be explored.

    OTH 820
    Quality Improvement and Outcomes Management
    DETAILS

    This course will introduce learners to quality improvement strategies in traditional, non-traditional and academic healthcare environments. The intent is to develop understanding in the culture of quality and value-based services. Students will implement improvement strategies through knowledge acquirement of quality indicators, monitoring quality, process improvement, and outcomes management through data collection and analysis. Students will evaluate quality and outcome management initiatives in their workplace, and explore connections with evidence-based practice.

    OTH 830
    Evidence-Based Practice Strategies for the Doctorally-Prepared OT
    DETAILS

    The intent of this course is to expose future doctorally-prepared OTs to implementation strategies for EBP in the healthcare and academia practice environments. The different types and styles of research commonly used in occupational therapy clinical and academic practice with be analyzed in order to prepare the student for designing a relevant research project for their Doctoral Project. This will include an emphasis on connecting with colleagues, organizational leaders, key stakeholders, and building organizational system support for enhanced capstone outcomes.

    OTH 842
    Innovation in OT Practice
    DETAILS

    This course addresses occupational therapy's role within new and emerging practice settings to prepare the graduate for future opportunities in occupational therapy practice.

    OTH 835
    Writing for Publication and Dissemination
    DETAILS

    This course is intended to understand the process for publishing scholarly work to a variety of literary markets as well as the professional work setting. The student will integrate their doctoral project when examining publishing resources, and demonstrate knowledge of the steps to publication and dissemination of original work. Professional and scholarly writing will be appraised and students will be responsible for creating original writing in this course.

    Occupational Therapy Educator Track

    OTH 825
    Curriculum Planning and Course Design
    DETAILS

    This course will focus on curriculum planning, course design, implementation of teaching strategies, and course evaluation. Best practices in education will be explored including but not limited to: establishing a productive learning environment, engaging learners, promoting higher order thinking, and assessing student learning. The influence of regulatory accrediting bodies on the curriculum will also be examined.

    OTH 840
    Teaching and Learning for the Health Professional
    DETAILS

    This course explores the role of the health care professional as an educator in client-care environment such as in completing client education, fieldwork education, third-party education and professional staff education. In addition, this course addresses foundational skills required for work in an academic setting. Evidence on teaching and learning theories, learning styles, and best practice for both clinical and academic education will be examined.

    OTH 845
    Teaching Practicum
    DETAILS

    The purpose of this course is to provide practical learning where students receive mentorship for development, implementation of practice strategies, and evaluation of course design and teaching experiences. Students will be responsible for creating material, student instruction, grading, and evaluating for a section of a course offered in the MOT program, of their choosing. Mentorship will be provided by one of the full-time faculty members of the MOT program.

    OTH 875
    Doctoral Project (II)
    DETAILS

    The goal of the doctoral project is to provide an in-depth exposure to one or more of the following: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory development. The doctoral project consists of two parts: project development and the project experience. The individual project allows the student to demonstrate synthesis and application of knowledge gained. Communication and final project presentation with the instructor of record (IOR) is online.

    OTH 870
    Doctoral Project (I)
    DETAILS

    The goal of the doctoral project is to provide an in-depth exposure to one or more of the following: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory development. The doctoral project consists of two parts: project development and the project experience. The individual project allows the student to demonstrate synthesis and application of knowledge gained. Communication and final project presentation with the instructor of record (IOR) is online.

    Clinical Leader Track

    OTH 836
    Leadership in Organizations
    DETAILS

    This course will focus on the leadership of complex organizations and the skills and qualities leaders need to change organizations. In order to be effective, leaders must understand themselves, the organizations they head, and the complex social and political environments that they are asked to navigate on a daily basis. Students will become acquainted with the principles, concepts, and major theories of leadership; reflect upon their own leadership styles and behavioral tendencies; and apply this new learning to a variety of situations and problems simulating real challenges in real-world organizational settings.

    OTH 841
    Strategic and Financial Planning
    DETAILS

    The purpose of this course is to provide students with the key parts for strategic planning and an understanding of the planning and implementation process. Students will describe basic financial principles and terminology. Students will build a business plan of their choosing to encompass knowledge and strategies gained in the course that can be presented to their workplace.

    OTH 846
    Leadership Practicum
    DETAILS

    The purpose of this course is to provide practical learning where students receive mentorship for program development, clinical initiatives, leadership development, strategic planning, quality improvement, outcomes measurement, and/or team development experience. Students will be responsible for finding a professional mentor. Upon completion, students will provide their clinical team with a program, new initiative, or evaluation method. Successful completion of the course will be determined through collaboration of the instructor of record (IOR) and clinical mentor.

    OTH 875
    Doctoral Project (II)
    DETAILS

    The goal of the doctoral project is to provide an in-depth exposure to one or more of the following: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory development. The doctoral project consists of two parts: project development and the project experience. The individual project allows the student to demonstrate synthesis and application of knowledge gained. Communication and final project presentation with the instructor of record (IOR) is online.

    OTH 870
    Doctoral Project (I)
    DETAILS

    The goal of the doctoral project is to provide an in-depth exposure to one or more of the following: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory development. The doctoral project consists of two parts: project development and the project experience. The individual project allows the student to demonstrate synthesis and application of knowledge gained. Communication and final project presentation with the instructor of record (IOR) is online.

    Meet the Faculty

    Our occupational therapy faculty are highly experienced and credentialed, giving you constant real-world insight you can use.

    While any instructor can recite from a textbook, ours go a step further and draw from vast personal experience. Instructors here care as deeply about their students as they do the subject matter and it shows.

    Meet the Faculty
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    Additional information

    Program Outcomes

    Upon completion of the PPOTD program, graduates will be expected to:

    1. Demonstrate the ability to manage and evaluate the effectiveness of clinical services or academic responsibilities in accordance to state, federal, and accreditation bodies, in a patient or student-centered perspective, to meet the needs of a changing healthcare environment.
    2. Continue to assume responsibility for self-directed personal and professional growth needed for professional and cultural competence, ethical practices, and life-long learning habits.
    3. Develop expertise at transforming organizational culture through an understanding of personal leadership style, work-culture awareness, conflict negotiation, strategic and financial planning, and team development.
    4. Develop, manage, analyze, improve, and evaluate standards and business practices for effective program design in clinical practice or academic settings.
    5. Develop and implement best practices for curriculum planning and course design to enhance learning experiences and professional expectations for the health care provider.
    6. Apply the criteria and processes for writing and publication, idea dissemination, and professional presentation of original research and/or program development proposals.
    7. Analyze the professional leadership skills needed to effectively advocate for clients’ needs, the needs of the profession, and the needs of society and apply professional leadership skills to organizational and professional practice needs.
    8. Demonstrate the ability to function as an agent of change for individuals, populations, organizations and society as well as the OT profession to ensure promotion of health and wellness, access to health care services and decrease incidences of healthcare disparity in our society.
    9. Demonstrate the skills necessary to pursue leadership opportunities in professional organizations in areas of advocacy, and promotion of occupational therapy through membership, government agencies, human service organizations and community outreach.
    10. Critically analyze the role of technology in the advancement of professional goals, and apply the skills necessary to be an effective leader or practice owner within a healthcare system.

    Professional Organizations

    American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

    Other Costs

    In addition to tuition, students may have to pay out-of-pocket for such things as:

    • Site-specific background checks
    • Textbooks and treatment guides above and beyond required texts
    • Site-specific project needs

    Written Statement

    Please develop a thoughtful and organized response to the questions below. The admissions committee is looking for responses that are not only well supported but that also use appropriate style and grammar. Each question response should be approximately 250-500 words using APA format and citations where applicable. Also know that instances of plagiarism within an applicant’s personal statement will disqualify them for acceptance to Nebraska Methodist College due to the College’s commitment to academic integrity and stringent plagiarism policies. Be sure to include your name and program on the document itself.  

    PPOTD Written Statement Questions:

    1. Describe your career aspirations and what you expect to attain from your doctoral experience at Nebraska Methodist College?
    2. What impact will an Occupational Therapy Doctorate have on your healthcare service provision and the greater community?

    Please submit your completed Admissions Essay to admissions@methodistcollege.edu.

    Technical Standards

    NMC's PPOTD program has specified performance and behavioral criteria that outline expectations from the learner's admission into the PPOTD program. PPOTD learners must be able to fulfill certain tasks and behaviors. The PPOTD curriculum requires the OT doctoral student to be able to perform the following technical standard areas:

    Academic Skills

    • In a timely manner, employ logical thinking, critical analysis, problem solving, and creativity in a variety of settings and populations.
    • Accurately display the ability to cognitively process and retain new learning within a reasonable timeline.
    • Perform evidenced based reviews of the literature to guide informed decision making.
    • Perform critical reasoning to include appropriate screening, assessing, planning, providing care strategies, and formulate client and family centered education, and discharge preparations within a variety of settings and specified timelines.
    • Gather and measure relevant data and synthesize results within specified timelines.
    • Pose relevant questions and seek out appropriate responses in a timely manner.
    • Demonstrate the ability to multi-task and address complex needs and/or solve dynamic problems.
    • Generate graduate level papers, meet competency levels on exams, and replicate demonstrations.
    • Prioritize and organize multiple workload needs.

    • Demonstrate scholarly research skills appropriate for a graduate level program.

    Communication Skills

    • Demonstrate effective and respectful oral and written communication skills.

    • Document scholarly work for faculty and potential external reviewers.

    • Demonstrate computer competence in the use of word processing, computerized simulators, media software, databases and search engines.

    • Articulate effectively to consumers, supervisors, peers, reimbursement sources, other health care professionals, clients and their families, as well as general audiences to meet clients' needs.

    • Demonstrate the ability to teach others prevention, health maintenance restorative and compensation skills. 

    • Appropriately use non-verbal skills to analyze and communicate needs in a professionally acceptable manner.

    Therapeutic Skills

    • Possess sufficient motor function to elicit essential data from the manipulation of assessment materials and therapeutic technologies and equipment.
    • Safely move, handle, and transfer various clients independently (up to 150 pounds).
    • Perform manual dexterity tasks sufficient to fabricate orthotic devices, adapt equipment, and fabricate splints.
    • Use sufficient sensory systems to safely utilize thermal, auditory, and electrical modalities.
    • Safely perceive and navigate varied environments and communities.
    • Adjust personal posture, mobility, coordination, strength, and energy for the therapeutic process.
    • Modify environments for others' well being and performance abilities.
    • Provide recommendations and training in techniques to enhance mobility, including physical transfers, wheelchair management, community mobility, and driver rehabilitation issues.
    • Perform psychomotor skills in a timely manner for safety and competency considerations.

    Behavioral-Interpersonal and Professional Abilities

    • Demonstrate the ability to effectively work with others who may have a range of impairments, disabilities or perceptions.
    • Ability to place personal needs secondary to the needs of others.
    • Ability to respond and adjust actions or behaviors in response to supervision and client needs.
    • Ability to demonstrate sincere valuing, caring, empathy, integrity and concern for others.
    • Ability to display appropriate social and interpersonal skills and communication within a variety of settings and cultures.
    • Be motivated to seek out professional self-development opportunities.
    • Display flexibility and adaptation appropriate to the demands and the needs of clients and their families.
    • Value the importance of the use of self to motivate and assist others.
    • Display appropriate language, attire, and mannerisms in all professional environments including the classroom.
    • Articulate personal needs in an appropriate and professional manner.
    • Use sound judgment in regard to the safety of self and others and adheres to safety regulations within a variety of settings.
    • Value the role of sociocultural, socioeconomic, spirituality, diversity factors, and lifestyle choices when interacting with others.
    • Demonstrate an awareness of the use of self including personality, insights, perceptions, and judgments as a part of individual and group interactions.
    • Demonstrate the ability to work well with others.
    • Accept life long learning and competence expectations as a personal value.
    • Display therapeutic use of self through honesty, integrity and personal and responsibilities for behavior consistent of ethical professional occupational therapists.

    Health Promotion and Holistic Practices

    • Display good health practices and hygiene for safe interaction with others.
    • For safety, timely update immunization records and adhere to all College or fieldwork site requirements for health screenings and immunizations.
    • Update certifications in HIPAA, CPR, and First Aid within appropriate timelines.
    • Understand and respect the importance of personal health, habits, and the prevention of disease/infection.
    • Display an awareness of personal issues and report issues that could interfere with the ability to competently care for others.