Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Entry Level

• University Catalog+

  • 

    Read the University Catalog to learn more about the entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program and A.T. Still University.

• Accreditation +

  • A.T. Still University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

    230 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500,
    Chicago, IL 60604

    Phone: 800.621.7440 | Fax: 312.263.7462
    Email: info@hlcommission.org

    hlcommission.org

    
    

    The Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), c/o Accreditation Department, 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, Telephone: (301) 652-6611 ext. 2914, http://www.acoteonline.org/, Accreditation e-mail: accred@aota.org

    Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), located at One Bank Street, Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, phone: 301.990.7979, fax: 301.869.8492, web: www.nbcot.org. Upon passing the NBCOT exam, Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy graduates are then eligible to apply for state licensure in their state of residence. All states within the United States require licensure in order to practice occupational therapy. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

    
    Information about ACOTE including upcoming events, advocacy & policy, publications, and how to file a complaint can be found at www.aota.org.

• NBCOT Examination Rates +

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    Year	Pass rate
    2023	94%
    2022	100%
    2021	100%
    2020	100%

    
    

    For official NBCOT data results, please visit: https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance

    A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification exam or attain state licensure.

• Graduation Rates+

  • Graduation year	Number of Students Entering	Number of Students Graduating	Graduation Rate*
    Class of 2021	17	16	94%
    Class of 2022	19	21	100%
    Class of 2023	18	16	88%
    Total	54	53	98%

    *Number of students graduating and graduation rates include students who transferred from the MSOT program to the OTD program.

• Doctoral Capstone+

  • The doctoral capstone is an in-depth experience that prepares students beyond the entry-level (advanced), in one or more of the following: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, or theory development. Click here to access the projects from prior cohorts. 

    
    

    The Fostering Healthy Parents Program: A Specialized Program Developed for the Foster Care Community
    Student: Kelly Cregar
    Faculty advisor: Rachel Diamant, PhD, OTR/L, BCP
    Community mentor: Wendy Esquibel, Founder and Director of Jose’s Closet & Tonya Doty, MSOT, OTR/L

    “Playing Together”: Outcomes of an Online Telehealth Sensory-Motor Development Program for Parents with Children Between the Ages of 1.0-6.11 years
    Student: Sarah Cunningham
    Faculty advisor: Rachel Diamant, PhD, OTR/L
    Community mentor: Rachel Diamant, PhD, OTR/L

    Occupational Therapy in an Outpatient Multidisciplinary Intensive Feeding Therapy Program: Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis
    Student: Kristel Ferrer
    Faculty advisor: Jyothi Gupta, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA & Katherine Jones, MA, OTR/L, CLT-LANA
    Community mentor: Jennifer Urich, MS, OTR/L

    The Use of ManageMed Screening Tool for Directing Occupational Therapy Intervention in the Home Health Setting
    Student: Taylor Kouts
    Faculty advisor: Tania Shearon, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, C-IAYT & Aaron Bonsall, PhD, OTR/L
    Community mentor: Jodi Lindstrom, OTR/L

    Using Sensory-Based Approaches to Manage the Effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Children in an Acute Behavioral Health Center
    Student: Linda Materu
    Faculty advisor: Bernard Muriithi, PhD, OTR/L
    Community mentor: Christine Gurule, OTR/L

    OT in Neurological Rehabilitation: Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain Post-Stroke
    Student: Kristen Mills
    Faculty advisor: Tania Shearon, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, C-IAYT & Aaron Bonsall, PhD, OTR/L
    Community mentor: Klay Finley, OTR/L

    Distal Radius Fractures: Comparing Surgical Approaches to Identify Functional Outcomes
    Student: Sonia Morales
    Faculty advisor: Jennifer Radziak OTD, OTR/L, CHT
    Community mentor: Rae Aaronson OTR/L, CHT & Kelsey Wright MOTR/L, CHT

    Pediatric Feeding Interventions Across a Variety of Diagnoses
    Student: Jenna Penning
    Faculty advisor: Aaron Bonsall, PhD, OTR/L
    Community mentor: Aimee Piller, PhD, OTR/L, BCP

    Cognitive and Motor Function During Driving in Parkinson’s Disease
    Student: Amy Reaser
    Faculty advisor: Jyothi Gupta, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
    Community mentor: Tara McIsaac, PT, PhD

    The Role of Occupational Therapy within Primary Care: A Multidisciplinary Weight Management Program

    Student: Amanda Rivas
    Faculty advisor: Jyothi Gupta, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
    Community mentor: Melissa Clark, DHSc, OTR, CHT

    The Role of Occupational Therapy in an Outpatient Multidisciplinary Concussion Clinic: Persistent Post Concussion Symptoms
    Student: Lina Rivera
    Faculty advisor: Jyothi Gupta, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
    Community mentor: Madison Harris, OTD, MA, OTR/L; Christopher Giza, MD; David L. McArthur, PhD, MPH

    Clinical Practice Guideline Development for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Rehabilitation
    Student: Rikki Silver
    Faculty advisor: Tania Shearon, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, C-IAYT & Aaron Bonsall, PhD, OTR/L
    Community mentor: Nicholetta Fortunato-Tamayo, MOT, OTR/L, CLT; Mackenzi Pergolotti, PhD, MOT, OTR/L; Tiffany Kendig, PT, DPT, MPH, CLT

    An Exploratory Study of Rehabilitation Services Available for Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients in the Outpatient Setting

    Student: Amber Wojcik
    Faculty advisor: Jyothi Gupta, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
    Community mentor: Kelli Cooper, MOT, OTR/L, PTA, CLT & Mackenzi Pergolotti, PhD, MOT, OTR/L

    Developing an Occupational Therapy Program for Hispanic Adults Diagnosed with Cancer
    Student: Yanet Ybarra
    Faculty advisor: Bernard Austin Kigunda Muriithi, PhD, OTR/L
    Community mentor: Bernard Austin Kigunda Muriithi, PhD, OTR/L

Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Entry Level Degree Faculty

• Dean +

  • • Annlee Burch, PT, MPH, EdD
      
      

      Dr. Ann Lee Burch is the dean of A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS). Dr. Burch received her doctor of education from Columbia University, Teachers College in 2005. She received her masters of public health from Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health in 2002 and her masters of physical therapy from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1989. She was a postdoctoral fellow with the Research Group on Health Disparities at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her BA is in psychology from the University of Rochester.

      Prior to her appointment as dean, Dr. Burch served as vice dean for ATSU-ASHS. She served as the chair of the Physical Therapy Department from 2008-January 2012. Prior to ATSU, Dr. Burch was the director of physical therapy at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She has held administrative and/or faculty positions at the International Center for the Disabled in NY, NY, Mercy College in NY, and Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY.

      Dr. Burch’s area of scholarly interest and application of that interest is in knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of health care providers and healthcare professional students towards underrepresented patient/client groups.

      Dr. Burch is the author of a Guide to Physical Therapy (Vault Publishers) which was written to increase information access about physical therapy to both high school graduates and re-entry adults. She was a co-investigator on an NIH grant at the University of Puerto Rico exploring the feasibility of an exercise program for breast cancer survivors living in San Juan.  Dr. Burch has lived in Symi, Greece, Taipei, Taiwan, Ahmdebad, India and San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is committed to research, teaching and service that further the understanding of the impact of socioeconomic and cultural variables on health.

      She was a member of the class of 2014 cohort of Women in Educational Leadership at Harvard Graduate School of Education. In 2017 she was the co-PI on a Centers for Disease Control, Association for Prevention and Teaching grant exploring a population health case study format for teaching and communicating the impact of social determinants of health on health disparities. She was recently appointed a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission.  

• Vice Dean +

  • • Marlene Salas-Provance, PhD, MHA, CCC-SLP
      
      

      Dr. Salas-Provance, is professor and vice dean of A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS). Dr. Salas-Provance received her doctorate in speech science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She received her masters of health administration from the University of Missouri School of Medicine-Columbia. She holds both a bachelors and masters in Speech Pathology from New Mexico State University.

      Prior to her appointment as vice dean, Dr. Salas-Provance served as associate dean of academic and student affairs for the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston. She served as assistant dean and chair in the College of Education, Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico and department chair in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Montevallo (AL). She held faculty positions at Fontbonne College and St. Louis University, in St. Louis, MO.

      She has made extensive professional contributions to the American, Speech, Language & Hearing Association (ASHA), serving on the Speech-Language Pathology Advisory Council, member of the Financial Planning Board, and the Multicultural Issues Board. She served as coordinator of ASHA’s Special Interest Group (SIG) 14, Communication Disorders and Sciences in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse populations and was a founding member and coordinator of SIG 17, Global Issues in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She is an ASHA Fellow and received ASHA’s highest awards for “Special Recognition in Multicultural Affairs” and “Outstanding Contributions in International Achievement.”

      Dr.Salas-Provance has served as a clinical educator throughout her academic career, especially related to children with cleft lip and palate. She is a member of an international medical team with Rotaplast International and has traveled worldwide for over 15 years to provide clinical services to children with cleft palate. She implemented a program for graduate students in speech pathology to provide clinical services in Spanish to children with cleft palate in Lima, Peru. In addition to Lima, Peru she has provided clinical services in China, Bangladesh, Philippines, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Venezuela.

      Dr. Salas-Provance is coauthor of the textbook Culturally Responsive Practices in Speech-Language and Hearing Science (Plural Publishing, 2019) which meets the needs for training students in healthcare professions regarding practice with individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Her research is focused on attitudes towards disability by diverse populations and addressing the use of language interpreters during healthcare and educational encounters.

      Over the past ten years she has lectured extensively to international audiences, both in English and Spanish, including as invited speaker for the Congreso Internacional en Trastornos de la Comunicacion at Escuela de Fonoaudiologia (Speech Language Pathology / Audiology) de la Universidad de Talca, Chile and for the Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, Lima, Peru, Endoscopic Evaluation of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction. She was invited keynote speaker for the First International Congress in Speech-Language Pathology and Orthodontics in the area of cleft lip and palate in Lima, Peru.

       

      Dr. Salas-Provance was selected for the American Council on Education (ACE) Women’s Leadership Program and attended the National Women’s Leadership Forum in Washington DC (2017) for advancing female executives in higher education.

• Chair +

  • • Rebecca L. Wolf, JD, MPH, OTR/L
      Chair
      Associate Professor
      

      Rebecca L. Wolf, JD, MPH, OTR/L, joined ATSU’s Occupational Therapy department faculty in 2017. She has extensive experience working to improve the lives of vulnerable populations. Early in her career, she developed educational and health promotion programs for immigrants, elderly individuals, and at-risk youth in Israel. She also worked as a youth advocate in a homeless shelter for women and low-income housing for families in Washington, D.C. Prior to attending graduate school, she founded and directed the Helping Hands Medical Fellowship, which brought Israeli medical volunteers to Uganda to improve the health of vulnerable individuals and communities.

      Professor Wolf has conducted policy research at the World Health Organization, Unite for Sight, and the Harvard Law School Project on Disability. Her academic research has primarily focused on health behavior and promotion, human rights, bioethics, genomics, and occupational justice.

      Professor Wolf served as a consultant, research assistant, and part-time faculty for the Occupational Therapy doctoral program at Northern Arizona University. Her clinical occupational therapy work includes veterans’ mental health, skilled nursing, and pediatrics. She has served on the legislative committee with the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association, as a member of the Circle of Advisors with the American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee, and as a board member for Gesher Disability Resources. Professor Wolf earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology, with an emphasis in law, medicine, and health policy from Brandeis University, a juris doctorate and master of arts in international affairs from American University, a master of public health degree from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and a master of occupational therapy degree from Midwestern University.

• Program Director +

  • • Jennifer Radziak, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
      Program Director
      Assistant Professor
      

      Dr. Jennifer Radziak is the Program Director for the Occupational Therapy Department at A.T. Still University. Dr. Radziak received her Bachelor of Science in Health Science and a Master of Occupational Therapy degree from Saint Francis University. She received a certification in the Advanced Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity from Drexel University. Dr. Radziak has received her Certification in Hand Therapy (CHT) and graduated with a post professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Temple University. Dr. Radziak has received a Women in Leadership certificate from Cornell University and has completed the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Academic Leadership Institute. Dr. Radziak has been an ATSU-ASHS OT faculty member since August 2019 and was an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator from 2019-2022. She teaches in the Modalities and the Analysis of Human Movement courses and she co-developed and teaches in the Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation elective course. Dr. Radziak has published in the CHT Exam Prep textbook and is pursuing educational research in the area of student self-efficacy in clinical skills. Dr. Radziak mentors students who are interested in treating clients with hand and upper extremity conditions and supervises students in the ATSU Center for Occupational and Physical Therapy. She received the ASHS 2022 Faculty Service award for this work. Dr. Radziak continues to work as an occupational therapist in the outpatient setting. Before coming to A.T. Still University, Dr. Radziak worked in the outpatient setting treating clients with hand and upper extremity diagnoses. Also, Dr. Radziak has occupational therapy experience in the assisted living and skilled nursing facility settings.

• Core Faculty +

  • • Adam Story, PT, DPT, OTR/L, OTD, MTC
      Assistant Professor
      Read Bio Close

      Adam Story, PT, DPT, OTR/L, OTD, MTC, is both a doctor of physical therapy and a doctor of occupational therapy, with training and a certification in manual therapy (MTC) from The University of Saint Augustine For Health Sciences. Dr. Story has done volunteer work using his occupational therapy skills in Peru, a clinical rotation in Australia, undergraduate studies in advanced research in Brazil, and studies in Japan. He enjoys meeting, teaching, and treating people from different cultures, diversities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

      Dr. Story’s professional career started off as a Forest Firefighter where he worked his way up to engineer status in an initial attack structure protection engine crew. He led fire crews to help save structures and lives all over the United States. Dr. Story worked alongside many different levels of leadership roles within the firefighter chain of command and rode on with firefighters all over the world.

      He has worked in almost every setting in both the PT and OT professions including: a neuro trauma ICU rotation, acute rehab, super-skilled nursing facility with vents and tracheostomies, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, home health care, outpatient spine rehabilitation, and an international rotation in Australia for work hardening.

      When Dr. Story is not working or traveling the world, he is spending time with his wife Lisa and two daughters, Olivia and Audrey.

    • Brandi Fulwider, PhD, OTR/L
      Assistant Professor
      Read Bio Close

      Brandi Fulwider, PhD, OTR/L joined the Occupational Therapy Program at A.T. Still University as assistant professor in 2021. She obtained her PhD in occupational therapy from Nova Southeastern University in Ft Lauderdale, Florida in 2020. Dr. Fulwider’s dissertation studies focused on the role of occupational therapy in addressing sleep deficits in practice and the meaning of disrupted sleep for individuals after brain injury in a community-based setting. She plans to continue conducting research in this area for the duration of her career and also has interest in research related to animal-assisted therapy. Dr. Fulwider obtained a bachelor of science degree in psychology in 2003 and a master of science degree in occupational therapy in 2008, both from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. She has worked as a clinician with adults in the acute care, acute rehabilitation, and skilled nursing settings and in multiple states in the country. Prior to transitioning into full-time work in the academic setting, Dr. Fulwider worked as an adjunct professor and supervised many fieldwork students in the clinical setting.

    • Meryl "Abbey" Glenn, OTD, OTR/L, CBIS
      Assistant Professor
      Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
      Read Bio Close

      Abbey Glenn has spent her 15 year career as an occupational therapist at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center/Barrow Neurological Institute in downtown Phoenix. She has a strong clinical background in working with patients with neurological injuries in both acute care and acute rehabilitation. Her experience includes working with both adult and pediatric patients. She has advocated for the role of occupational therapy in acute care as the acute care occupational therapy program coordinator since 2014. She remains connected to the clinical community with her work at St. Joseph’s and to the disability community in the greater Phoenix metro area in numerous volunteer efforts.

      She obtained both her Master’s and Post-Professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. She has been a mentor, fieldwork educator, and preceptor in her clinical environment. Role of educator at ATSU is new to her as of 2021 and she is excited to share her passion and experiences with future OTs.

    • Briana Bonner OTD, OTR/L
      Assistant Professor
      Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
      Read Bio Close

      Dr. Briana Bonner, OTD, OTR/L, joined ATSU's Occupational Therapy department as an assistant professor in 2022. She obtained her master’s in occupational therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She completed her clinical doctorate in occupational therapy at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

      Dr. Bonner’s clinical background is diverse as she has worked in school-based therapy, orphanages, home health, acute care, outpatient, private practice, corporate, and rehabilitation settings. Dr. Bonner’s special interest is in pediatrics. She served as an occupational therapist on an international level for 3 years with most of her work being in eastern and southern Africa. She completed a review of the literature to examine the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Sub-Saharan Africa, and existing evidence on family education and intervention, including the role of occupational therapy, in treating children with ASD. Dr. Bonner developed a psychoeducational family-centered program entitled “Families Achieving Competency Together” (F.A.C.T) for families with children with ASD. Dr. Bonner is passionate about connecting, collaborating, educating, and advocating for families in low-income and underserved communities.

      Dr. Bonner seeks to contribute to future OTs by sharing her clinical experiences paired with evidence-based knowledge. She is determined to link research to application and relaying findings to therapists globally, to ultimately enhance care. Utilizing her patience, problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, Dr. Bonner plans to further drive the learning philosophy and scope of practice of the OT department at ATSU.

    • Tania Shearon, MOT, CHT, C-IAYT, DHSc
      Assistant Professor
      Director of Curriculum
      Read Bio Close

      Tania Shearon joined the OT faculty in 2016. She received her bachelor’s degree in science from Carroll College in 1988 and her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Puget Sound in 1991 and has over 25 years of clinical experience in the areas of physical rehabilitation and hand therapy. She received her certification in hand therapy in 1999 and has been a recognized specialist in the area of upper extremity rehab and orthosis fabrication. Beginning in 2014, Shearon began post-graduate training in the area of professional yoga therapy and has utilized yoga as a therapeutic modality for both orthopedic and neurologic conditions. She is currently working toward her doctor of health sciences degree with a focus on fundamentals of education. She teaches courses related to adult rehabilitation practice, kinesiology, modalities, and splinting.

    • Lacee Andrews, OTD, OTR/L, CNS, AIB-VRC
      Director of Clinical Education
      Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
      Read Bio Close

      Professor Lacee Andrews received her undergraduate Bachelor's of Science in therapeutic recreation in 2007 at the University of South Dakota. She spent a majority of her time as a recreational therapist working at Alabama's Special Camp for Children and Adults. In 2013, she graduated with her Master's in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She then moved to Minnesota where she worked as a Director of Rehab for 5 years. In 2018, she and her family moved to Arizona to be closer to extended family, but also allow Lacee to return to working in Acute Care at Barrow Neurological Institute. Lacee has since gained her certification as a Certified Neuro Specialist and is now embarking on teaching up and coming students of occupational therapy.

• Associate and Adjunct Faculty +

  • • Kellie C. Huxel Bliven, PhD, ATC
      Associate Faculty
      
      Read Bio Close

      Kellie C. Huxel Bliven, PhD, ATC, is a professor of clinical anatomy in the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences and ATSU-ASDOH. Since joining ATSU in 2008, Dr. Bliven has been a faculty member in various programs, including anatomy, kinesiology (formerly human movement), and athletic training. Prior to her appointment at ATSU, Dr. Bliven was a faculty in the athletic training department at Indiana State University. Dr. Bliven’s current line of research on understanding and improving shoulder function and health addresses four areas: mechanisms of shoulder stability, muscle activation during rehabilitation, adaptations in the throwing shoulder, and health-related quality of life in throwing athletes. In addition to her faculty responsibilities, Dr. Bliven serves as the director of the Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory and as the vice chair of the Institutional Review Board at ATSU Mesa campus. She is also involved in professional service, including the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer exam development committee, associate editor of the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, and active member in the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists. Dr. Bliven received her bachelor’s degree in biology and physical education from Denison University in Granville, Ohio; master’s degree in kinesiology from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana; and doctoral degree in kinesiology with an athletic training emphasis from Temple University in Philadelphia.

    • Kelsey Picha, PhD, AT
      Associate Faculty
      
      Read Bio Close

      Kelsey Picha, PhD, AT, is an assistant professor of clinical anatomy in the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Dr. Picha earned her bachelor of athletic training degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, followed by a master of science degree in post-professional athletic training from A.T. Still University (ATSU). She also earned her doctor of philosophy degree in rehabilitation sciences from the University of Kentucky, where she worked as a research assistant in the Sports Medicine Research Institute. During her time at the University of Kentucky, she investigated patient adherence and self-efficacy for home exercise programs. Dr. Picha completed a post-doctoral research fellowship within Research Support at ATSU, which focused on patient-oriented outcomes. Dr. Picha currently serves on the Governmental Affairs Committee through the Arizona Athletic Trainers Association, the Education Advancement Committee through the National Athletic Trainers Association, the Brand Promotion and Outreach Committee through American Association of Clinical Anatomists, and serves as an editorial board member for the Journal of Sports Rehabilitation. Her research interests are in the areas of the patient adherence to rehabilitation and social determinants of health in athletic healthcare.

    • Ray Pavlick, PhD
      Associate Faculty
      
      Read Bio Close

      Ray Pavlick, PhD, began teaching physiology and pharmacology in ATSU’s PA program in 1997. He also teaches for ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health and trains paramedics in the east valley of Phoenix. He has published articles in journals such as General and Comparative Endocrinology, The Journal of Physician Assistant Education, and The Journal of the Medical Library Association. He has also authored chapters in various textbooks on both physiology and pharmacology.

    • Katherine Jones, MA, OTR/L, CLT-LANA
      Assistant Professor
      
      Read Bio Close

      Katherine Jones, MA, OTR/L, CLT-LANA, joined ATSU’s Occupational Therapy department faculty in 2019 where she teaches Practice Immersion courses for Mental Health and Pediatrics. Prior to teaching, she received a bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree in music from the University of Portland, OR in 2000 and a master of arts (M.A.) degree in occupational therapy from the University of Southern California, CA in 2005. Professor Jones has spent over 15 years in the clinical setting working with the pediatric, adult, and gerontology populations in settings that include acute care, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, home health, outpatient, and school-based therapy. Over the years her special interests have been in oncology and survivorship, traumatic brain injury, stroke, shoulder rehabilitation, autism, visual-perception, cognition, psychosocial needs, and oculomotor dysfunction. She was trained as a lymphedema therapist through the Dr. Vodder School International in 2007 and became a certified lymphedema therapist through the Lymphology Association of North America (CLT-LANA) in 2011. Professor Jones is currently working toward her doctorate in education (EdD) degree with a focus on adult teaching and learning in health sciences through the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, FL and is interested in student engagement and building the professional identity of occupational therapists.

    • Melinda Delbridge, MS, OTR/L, CBIS
      Instructor
      
      Read Bio Close

      Melinda Delbridge, MS, OTR/L, CBIS joined ATSU’s Occupational Therapy Department in 2021. Prior to this, she had been an adjunct professor for 6 years at A.T. Still University assisting in the adult practice immersion courses. She received her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Arizona State University in 2005 and her master’s degree in occupational therapy from A.T. Still University in 2010. She was the primary occupational therapist to help develop the brain injury unit at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of East Valley and in 2012 became a certified brain injury specialist (CBIS).

      She has over 10 years of clinical experience in the areas of adult rehabilitation with an emphasis in neurorehabilitation. She has worked an OT in a variety of settings including inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, pediatric home health and outpatient hand therapy. Her special interests include traumatic brain injury, stroke, cognitive rehabilitation and caregiver assistance.

    • Benjamin Gross MOT, OTR/L
      Instructor
      
      Read Bio Close

      Benjamin Gross, MOT, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist for 12 years and has worked in a variety of clinical settings including inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient neuro, return to work for neurological impairment, MS/ALS clinic, and home health. He has also guest lectured and been adjunct faculty at three universities in the Phoenix area since 2015. He graduated from The University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Psychology as well as his Masters in Occupational Therapy. He is also currently completing his post professional doctorate in occupational therapy at the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Gross has also held multiple leadership positions at the Arizona Occupational Therapy Association (ArizOTA) including One Year Board Member, Treasurer, and President. Nationally Mr. Gross is currently serving on the Board of Directors at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) with the position of Treasurer. He previously held AOTA's Vice Chair of the Affiliated State Association of Presidents. Clinically Mr. Gross works primarily with the geriatric population but also has strong interests in working with clients who have sustained neurological impairments. Mr. Gross has co-presented on multiple presentations for both AOTA’s national conference and the Arizona Brain Injury Alliance on cognition and return to work for neurological impairment. He also has won awards for his clinical leadership in home health as the Home Care Hero by the Arizona Association for Home Care as well as the SHRS Alumni Rising Star Award from the University of Pittsburgh. Along with clinical work Mr. Gross also plans to continue to be of service to state and national associations to move the profession forward and thrive.

    • Mara Funke, MPH
      Adjunct
      
      
    • John Galbraith, OTD, OTR/L
      Adjunct
      
      
    • Rachel B. Diamant, PhD, OTR/L, BCP
      Emeritus Professor and consultant
      
      Read Bio Close

      Dr. Diamant has been part of the occupational therapy program faculty at ATSU since 1998. She graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1975. She completed her master of science in occupational therapy degree from Boston University in 1978, and her PhD in health psychology/behavioral medicine through Northcentral University in 2011. The focus of her dissertation was an exploration of the relationships between temperament and sensory processing behaviors in children. Prior to her role as faculty at ATSU, Dr. Diamant was an occupational therapy practitioner for over 25 years with a work focus on children with disabilities and their families. Most recently, Dr. Diamant has provided consultation and developmental programming for abused and neglected children. She is Board Certified in Pediatrics as recognized by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Dr. Diamant is pediatric Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) certified. She is the co-author of Positioning for Play: Interactive Activities to Enhance Movement and Sensory Exploration, an activity text for therapists working with young children and their families.

      During her tenure at ATSU, Dr. Diamant developed and taught courses related to kinesiology and occupational therapy practice in pediatrics. She has mentored numerous MSOT and OTD students in their research and capstone projects. Dr. Diamant has completed research projects in the areas of sensory processing, temperament, autism, and movement disorders in children with cerebral palsy and adults with stroke, and also worked with an AOTA Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Team to identify competencies related to the OT-OTA intra-professional relationship. Currently at ATSU, Dr. Diamant’s focus has been upon ensuring a strong clinical program for the professional development of OT students. Although she loves working with children of all ages, Dr. Diamant reports that working with OT students at ATSU has been the highlight of her professional career.

    • Bernadette Mineo, PhD, OTR/L
      Emeritus Professor
      
      
    • Christina Griffin, PhD, MAEd, OTR/L, FAOTA
      Emeritus Professor
      
      

• Staff +

  • • Tami Lofland
      Administrative Assistant
      
      
    • Ashley White
      Program Manager
      
      

Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Entry Level Degree Admissions

• Requirements +

  • Admission Requirements

     
    1. Candidates accepted for admission will have earned a baccalaureate degree from an U.S. regionally accredited institution prior to matriculation.
     
    2. a. Applicants must have achieved a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA overall
       b. a minimum of 3.0 cumulative grade point average for the last 60 credits, or
       c. if under a minimum of 3.0 cumulative grade point average for the last 60 credits there may be special considerations for a holistic approach.
     
    3. Applicants are required to submit all official college or academic transcripts.
     
    4. Applicants are required to obtain a minimum of 30 contact/observation hours in the occupational therapy field. More than one setting is recommended.
     
    5. Applicants must secure three (3) letters of reference. One of these letters must be written by: a present or former faculty member, academic advisor, or employer. One reference letter should come from a professional from the occupational therapy field or another clinical supervisor. The final letter can come from a reference of your choice, but may not be from a friend or family member. Letters from an educational consulting service will not be accepted. New letters of reference must be submitted for each application year.
     
    6. Applicants who are considered potential candidates will be invited to participate in an applicant interview process.
     
    7. Applicants must complete all prerequisite courses by the end of the academic term prior to matriculation at ATSU.
     
    8. Applicants are expected to be computer literate and experienced in word processing. All curricula require extensive computer usage. Accepted applicants are required to have a laptop computer prior to the first day of class.
     
    9. Students must obtain and maintain Health Care Provider level of CPR certification from the American Heart Association (Basic Life Support, CPR and AED for Healthcare Professionals). Verification must be submitted to the Occupational Therapy department prior to enrollment.
     
    10. Applicants are required to submit to a criminal background check at their own expense. Applicants need to be aware that having a felony conviction might impact a graduate’s future ability to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Exam and/or ability to obtain state licensure to practice.
     
    11. All students are required to demonstrate proficiency in English when applying to the Arizona School of Health Sciences, A.T Still University. You can find information on the methods by which you can demonstrate your English Proficiency in the General Admissions section. International Admissions Requirements
     
    12. Applicants who wish to be considered for more than one ATSU-ASHS program, including both entry-level Occupational Therapy programs, MSOT and OTD (and including Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Audiology), must submit separate application fees, transcripts and references. Acceptance to ATSU-ASHS is to a specific program and is not transferable to any other program. Application materials are not transferable from one application year to another.
     
    13. Applications for the entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program are processed on a rolling admissions basis, which means that seats are offered to qualified applicants beginning in October and ending when all seats are filled. For that reason, applicants are encouraged to apply early as seats fill quickly. Point of entry into the program is only once each academic year with classes beginning in mid-July.

    Prerequisite Courses

     
    • The majority of prerequisite coursework or approved equivalent coursework MUST be taken for a grade. AP credits are only accepted for certain prerequisites, as indicated below. Preference will be given to applicants who have letter grades for courses and prerequisites.
     
    • Prerequisites over six years old will not be accepted unless the course is part of the degree major. Prerequisites older than six years will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
     
    • Applicants must complete all prerequisite courses from a regionally accredited institution prior to the start of school. Applicants with four or more outstanding prerequisites as of the spring prior to the start of the program, may not be considered for admission. Applicants must show proof of enrollment in any pending prerequisite courses by the beginning of the spring semester and the prerequisites must be completed by the start of July. ATSU’s fall semester starts mid-July.
     
    • For questions, please contact residential admissions at 480.219.6000 or email admissions@atsu.edu
     
    1. Human Anatomy: one course with lab, minimum of 4 semester/6 quarter hours.
     
    2. Human Physiology: one course with lab, minimum of 4 semester/6 quarter hours (Note: Human Anatomy/Physiology I and II may be substituted for the above courses).
     
    3. Science: In addition to numbers one and two above, two courses for a minimum 3 semester/4 quarter hours each from one of the following: General Biology I & II, Microbiology, Chemistry (Physical, Organic, Biochemistry) or Physics. Preference for courses with lab.
       
     
    4. Statistics: one course for a minimum 3 semester/4 quarter hours. Course must be behavioral, education, psychological or mathematical statistics.
     
    5. Lifespan Human Development: This requirement can be met by having one course, for a minimum 3 semester/4 quarter hours that covers human development from birth through gerontology. Or it can be met by having a Child development or Child Psychology course, for a minimum 3 semester/4 quarter hours, in addition to a Gerontology or Psychology of Aging course, for a minimum 3 semester/4 quarter hours.
     
    6. Introduction or General Psychology: one course for a minimum 3 semester/4 quarter hours.
     
    7. Abnormal Psychology: one course for a minimum 3 semester/4 quarter hours.
     
    8. Introduction to Sociology OR Cultural Anthropology: One course either in Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Anthropology or Cultural Anthropology for a minimum 3 semester/4 quarter hours.
     
    9. English: Two courses of composition, grammar/literature, for a minimum 6 semester/8 quarter hours. AP credits will be accepted for English requirements.
     
    10. Humanities: Two courses (e.g., philosophy, religion, literature, art, dance, music, logic, ethics, or foreign language), for a minimum 6 semester/8 quarter hours. AP credits will be accepted for Humanities requirements.
     
    11. Medical Terminology: one course for a minimum 1 semester hour/1 quarter hour.

    Review minimum technology requirements

    For questions, please contact Residential Admissions office at 480.219.6000 or email admissions@atsu.edu.

    Graduation Requirements

    To earn the entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree, all students must:

     
    1. Completion of with a passing grade (“C” or better) of all didactic coursework and maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.
     
    2. Completion with a passing score of all Level II fieldwork, within 24 months of completion of didactic coursework.
     
    3. Completion of the Doctoral Capstone Experience and submission of the Doctoral artifacts and portfolio.
     
    4. Completion of the Public Health Certificate.
     
    5. Participation in the NBCOT preparation workshop.
     
    6. Complete a minimum of 6 hours of volunteer work per semester for the first three semesters of your curriculum (total=18 hours).
     
    7. Discharge of all financial obligations to ATSU-ASHS.
     
    8. Attendance at commencement activities and graduation.
     
    9. Filing of all necessary graduation forms with the ATSU Registrar-Enrollment Services Office at the below address:
       800 West Jefferson Street
       Kirksville, MO 63501
       Telephone: (800) 626-5266 Ext. 2356

• Application +

  • Applicants will apply online via the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). Applications for the entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program are processed on a rolling admissions basis, which means that seats are offered to qualified applicants beginning in October and ending when all seats are filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as seats fill quickly. Applications can be submitted to OTCAS beginning in July. Point of entry into the program is only once each academic year with classes beginning in mid-July.

    Once ATSU-ASHS receives a completed OTCAS application and determines that minimum requirements are met, the applicant is notified by email to submit a secondary application fee of $70 for final processing. Upon receipt of this fee, the application then receives full consideration by the Occupational Therapy department.

    Apply Now

    For additional information please contact Admissions:
    480.219.6000 or admissions@atsu.edu

     

• Tuition+

  • Review tuition and fees for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Entry Level program. Please note tuition and fees are subject to change.

• Request Information+

  • Have a question for ATSU?

    Connect with ATSU regarding any question you may have regarding our schools or curriculum and a representative will respond to you quickly.

    Connect Now

    For more information on programs at ATSU/(OT), please contact a representative at 866.626.2878 x2237 (toll free), 660.626.2237 (direct dial), or via email at admissions@atsu.edu.

     

• Frequently Asked Questions+

  • 1. What is the difference between an entry-level master’s degree and the entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree at ATSU?

    The occupational therapy profession has two options for entry-level practice, a master’s degree or a clinical doctorate degree (OTD). While both the degrees prepare graduates for taking the certification exam required for entry-level practice, the OTD additionally prepares graduates for a focused area of study beyond the entry-level master’s program. In our program, the choices are in innovative practice, activism and advocacy, skills for program development, and advanced leadership.

    2. How does the OTD curriculum differ from that of a master’s?

    Key aspects in the OTD curriculum that differentiate it from a master’s curriculum are:

     
    • Students will work in groups to complete a directed research study and experience the complete research process.
     
    • The OTD curriculum has a unique 16-week Doctoral Capstone Experience, which is an in-depth experience in one or more of the following student-selected areas: advanced clinical practice, research, policy and advocacy, or education.

    3. Does it take longer to complete the OTD degree compared to the master’s?

    Yes, the OTD is a 36-month full-time residential program that has additional curriculum requirements compared to the master’s degree. The OTD degree has a total of 117 credits that is inclusive of a required 12 credit Public Health Certificate. The MSOT is a 27-month program (79 credits).

    4. Why would I want to do one extra year of study when both degrees are entry-level?

    The answer depends on your current life situation and your career goals. If you see yourself holding leadership roles, want to practice in non-traditional areas of practice, go into private practice, consult, etc. OTD will prepare you for these roles.

    5. If a student were to complete at least 27 months of the program but not all 36 would they be granted a master’s degree?

    Currently this is not an option for students who enroll in the OTD program.
    
    Other aspects of the OTD program include:

     
    • Full-time residential program, meaning faculty are in the classrooms.
     
    • Student-centered teaching and accessible faculty.
     
    • Focus in innovative practice to meet society’s occupational needs as well as prepare students for traditional areas of practice.
     
    • Students will work in the community to develop programs for diverse groups and populations.

• Financial Aid+

  • Investing in your future as a student is one of the most important steps you will take in your life. ATSU can help you put together a financially sound aid package that will let you focus on your education instead of worrying about how you will finance it.

    Learn more about your Financial Aid options.

    Enrollment Services helps with your finances so you can concentrate on your academics. We are here to serve you. Email us at enrollmentservices@atsu.edu or call 660.626.2019.

• Scholarships+

  • Link to view Internal ATSU student scholarships

    External Scholarship Links:

    American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF)
    Scholarship Directory
    First in Family Scholarship
    No Essay Scholarship
    The Fulbright Program
    Hispanic Scholarships
    African-American Scholarships
    Scholarships for Women
    Celtic Scholars Scholarship
    eduPASS—scholarships for International Students
    TheDream.US
    careeronestop
    Free-4U.com
    Unigo
    SuperCollege.com
    fastweb
    appily
    GoGrad
    Scholarship America
    UNCF
    International Scholarships
    StudentScholarships.org

    Sallie Mae—click on the link “Find scholarships” you will have to scroll down half way. Once you click on the link you will have to create an account, which is free, and answer question. After you answer the question it will match the student with scholarships and they can apply from there on which ones they would like to apply for.

    Scholarships.com – has a list toward the bottom of the home page on some current and open scholarships that students can apply for.

• Fact Sheet+

  • 2022 Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program Fact Sheet

Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Curriculum Overview