OTD Curriculum and Progression

OTD Curriculum

For a complete list of courses and program progression, click here.

For a complete list of program policies and procedures, please see the OTD Student Handbook.

Academic Policies

Students enrolled in the OTD program are subject to the following academic performance standards in addition to University requirements.

GPA Requirements / Probation-

Students must maintain a semester GPA of 3.0 or better throughout the OTD Program. In cases where a student falls below this level, the student will be required to meet with the OT Program Academic and Professional Standards Committee and be placed on academic probation by the Program (see OT Student Handbook for Policy and description of the OT Academic and Professional Standards Committee). A grade of C or better is required in all OT graduate coursework. Students receiving a grade below C may request the opportunity to retake the course.

Given the sequential nature of the curriculum, approval to retake a course will require ceased participation (suspension) in the OTD Program until the course is offered again in its regular sequence (the following year). This will result in additional time to complete the OTD Program.

GPA Requirements /Dismissal

A student will be dismissed from the OTD program if they have two occupational therapy program semesters with a GPA below 3.0, regardless of whether the semesters are consecutive or not. A student who receives more than 1 grade below C will be dismissed from the OTD Program.

GPA Requirements /Suspension

Withdrawal

Withdrawal from any one course equates to withdrawal from the OTD Program unless the student requests, and is granted by the Program Director and Division Chairperson, an academic leave of absence. Students may take a maximum of one year of academic leave of absence then will require reapplication and readmission. (See OT Program Student Handbook for relevant policies). A student on academic probation cannot participate in level II fieldwork or the Doctoral Experiential.

Fieldwork

Students are expected to fully comply with all academic fieldwork requirements (Level I and Level II rotations), including Program and Fieldwork site rules and regulations. Due to the effort and time required to develop entry-level generalist competencies, any outside employment during level II fieldwork is strongly discouraged. Students cannot begin level II fieldwork until all prior curriculum coursework is completed.

Graduation

Students are responsible for ensuring that all administrative and academic requirements for graduation have been met. The Occupational Therapy Doctorate Degree is awarded upon completion of all required graduate work (typically the end of the third year / ninth semester in the OT Program). In addition, students must meet the following criteria:

A: Completion of all West Virginia University admission, retention, and graduation requirements as outlined in the West Virginia University Graduate Catalogue: http://catalog.wvu.edu/graduate/.

B: Completion of all OTD required coursework, fieldwork, experiential, and community service. All occupational therapy coursework counted towards the degree must be completed at West Virginia University.

C: Maintenance of a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 with no OTD Program course below a grade of C (unless course has been successfully retaken).

D: Completion of all paperwork requirements by WVU for graduation as well as payment of all fines and fees.

E: Completion of all OTD Program requirements, including the doctoral experiential, must be completed within 5 years. Students extending beyond that period will be required to reapply and, upon admission, retake all OTD coursework and fieldwork. Level II fieldwork must be completed within 18 months of the conclusion of didactic coursework (semester 6).