Graduate Program

Doctorate

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Why This Program?

Briar Cliff's Occupational Therapy program is committed to developing occupational therapists who understand and apply the profession's ethics and are committed to promoting inclusion, equity, justice, and well-being for all. Students can expect:

Small class sizes for individualized, student-centered learning and one-on-one relationships with faculty to support both personal and professional development.
Interprofessional, block curriculum allows for students to focus on 1-2 courses at a time. There are approximately 40 credits that are taken interprofessional with DPT students and other students in health science professions.
Community-centered experiences offered throughout starting in the first year of the program, including the Briar Cliff Clinic, provide hands-on learning and the opportunity to practice what is learned in the classroom.

Career Opportunities for OT

Median Pay

$86,000/year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Projected Growth

Projected to grow 17% in the next 10 years, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Ranking

Ranked in the top 20 for the best health care jobs (US News Money).

Health Professional Recruitment Program

The Health Professional Recruitment Program (HPRP) was established to increase the number of athletic trainers, occupational therapists, physicians, physician assistants, podiatrists and physical therapists practicing in high-need communities in Iowa.

The maximum annual award through the state is $12,500 for up to four consecutive years (maximum of $50,000) which is paid toward outstanding Federal Stafford Loan and Grad PLUS Loan balances. In addition, the eligible community/clinic must agree to provide a dollar-for-dollar loan repayment match to state funds. Therefore, the maximum benefit to the graduate is $100,000 over four years. The application will be available through Iowa College Aid beginning January 1 and applications must be submitted by March 31 to guarantee consideration.

Click here to learn more about the program.

More About the Program

The Mission of the Briar Cliff University Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program embodies the Franciscan values to provide an interprofessional, occupation-centered, and community-conscious education through an inclusive, learner-centered culture. Students professionally transform as reflective practitioners and servant leaders who critically think using evidence and occupation to promote health and well-being with diverse, underserved persons, groups, and populations.

null The program's curriculum is best described as a model that organizes the curricular content along five progressive levels of complexity. Progressing from foundational knowledge and skills into application, integration, and ultimately autonomous practice, the model builds on itself. It starts with the foundational behavioral, health, and clinical sciences approach intimately connected with the core subject of occupation, then progresses into function and disability practice domains where occupation and its dimensions are valued as promoting occupational participation for health and well-being. Lastly, life-span-based approaches to practice using occupation for productive development and aging are taught, facilitating the integration of all previous foundational and practice content.

Learners are presented with foundational content to establish a solid knowledge base and develop self-awareness of their own experiences. They then progress towards applying and examining their knowledge and skills through active and experiential learning in practice courses. Integrated clinical and community-engaged experiences, along with practice immersion and professional practice experiences, present students will real-life contexts for applying theoretical, evidence-based knowledge and developing clinical competencies for transformation into autonomous, professional practice.

OTD Curriculum

The OTD Program consists of three phases of education:

Academic Coursework (on-campus).
Practice Immersion (Level II Fieldwork).
Doctoral Capstone Experience and Project.

Course Layout by Semester

YEAR ONE: SUMMER	10 Credit Hours
OTD 520: Professional Formation Through Orientation and Personal Discovery	1
HSC 501: Human Anatomy for the Health Care Professional	7
OTD 500: Foundations of Human Occupation	2
YEAR ONE: FALL	18 Credit Hours
OTD 501: Foundations in Occupational Therapy	2
HSC 502: Human Physiology for the Health Care Professional	3
HSC 503: Human Neuroscience for the Health Care Professional	3
RHB 505: Normal Lifespan Development for the Rehabilitation Professional	3
RHB 506: Human Pathophysiology for the Rehabilitation Professional	3
OTD 521: Professional Formation Through Therapeutic Communications	2
OTD 522: Professional Formation Through Professional Behaviors	2
YEAR ONE: SPRING	17 Credit Hours
HSC 509: Human Kinesiology and Biomechanics for the Health Care Professional	3
HSC 521: Evidence-Based Practice for the Health Care Professional	2
RHB 560: Rehabilitation Scholarly Project Proposal	1
RHB 581: Healthcare Policy: Laws and Reimbursement for the Rehabilitation Professional	1
RHB 540: Foundational Rehabilitation Outcome Measures	3
RHB 541: Foundational Rehabilitation Interventions	4
OTD 502: Occupation for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention	2
OTD 523: Clinical and Community-Engaged Correlations for the OTD Professional I	1
YEAR TWO: SUMMER	12 Credit Hours
HSC 620: Foundational Spanish for the Health Care Professional	1
OTD 620: Professional Formation Through Professional Practice	2
OTD 600: Occupation, Community, and Population Health	3
OTD 640: Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Occupational Participation	4
OTD 621: Clinical and Community Engaged Correlations for the OTD Professional II	2
YEAR TWO: FALL	14 Credit Hours
RHB 660: Rehabilitation Scholarly Project	3
OTD 641: Occupations, Environmental Adaptations, and Assistive Technology	2
OTD 642: Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Occupational Participation	3
OTD 643: Physical Rehabilitation and Occupational Participation	4
OTD 622: Clinical and Community Engaged Correlations for the OTD Professional III	2
YEAR TWO: SPRING	15 Credit Hours
RHB 680: Rehabilitation Practice Management	2
HSC 621: Teaching and Learning for the Health Care Professional	1
OTD 644: Neurological/Cognitive Rehabilitation and Occupational Participation	4
OTD 645: OT Practice for Productive Development with Children and Youth	3
OTD 646: OT Practice for Productive Aging with Older Adults	3
OTD 623: Clinical and Community Engaged Correlations for the OTD Professional IV	2
YEAR THREE: SUMMER	8 Credit Hours
Elective (complete 2 credits)
HSC 640: Emergency Medical Responder	2
HSC 740: Vision Rehabilitation (elective)	1
HSC 741: Service Learning (elective)	1
HSC 742: Independent Study (elective)	1
HSC 743: Pain Science (elective)	1
HSC 744: Trauma-Informed Care (elective)	1
RHB 742: Advance Pediatric Rehabilitation	1
RHB 745: Vestibular Rehabilitation	1
OTD 720: Clinical and Community Engaged Correlations for the OTD Professional V	2
OTD 721: Practice Immersion IIA	4
YEAR THREE: FALL	9 Credit Hours
OTD 722: Professional Practice Seminar	1
OTD 723: Practice Immersion IIB	4
OTD 724: Practice Immersion IIC	4
YEAR THREE: SPRING	9 Credit Hours
OTD 725: Professional Practice: Doctoral Capstone Experience and Project	7
OTD 760: Professional Practice: Doctoral Capstone Project Dissemination and Culmination	2
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	112

Student Outcomes

By the completion of the program, Briar Cliff University OTD Graduates will:

Demonstrate the characteristics and aptitude to be a life-long learner to serve and engage with diverse, underserved populations using a client-centered approach.
Value the profession's core of occupation by delivering occupation-centered practice to support health and wellbeing for the recipients of occupational therapy services.
Achieve entry-level competence and demonstrate skills to practice as a generalist in settings where occupational therapy is currently practiced or an emerging service.
Critically analyze and implement evidence into practice and contribute to the growth of clinical and community-centered scholarship.
Demonstrate leadership and management skills that influence policy and practice to promote equity to healthcare for individuals, communities, and populations.
Demonstrate therapeutic use of self to effectively communicate with clients and the interprofessional care team to promote safe, ethical, quality services.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the degree of Doctor of Occupational Therapy from the Briar Cliff University OTD Program the following degree requirements must be accomplished:

Successful fulfillment of all graduate requirements of Briar Cliff University (see Briar Cliff University Academic Catalog)
Successful completion of the minimum 112 prescribed graduate credits and all required courses
Successful completion of a scholarly project with a grade of "Pass"
Successful completion of all practical examinations
Successful completion of a comprehensive examination
Successful competition of all clinical education experiences with a grade of "Pass"
Successful completion of a doctoral capstone education experience with a grade of "Pass"
Achievement of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better within 4.5 years of the student's initial admission into the program. No student will graduate with an incomplete grade in a course
Successful completion of all learning contracts to the satisfaction of the Progress and Retention Committee

OTD Mission, Vision, & Values

Briar Cliff University

Briar Cliff University is a community committed to higher education within a liberal arts and Catholic perspective. In the Franciscan tradition of service, caring, and openness to all, Briar Cliff emphasizes quality education for its students, combining a broad intellectual background with career development. The University challenges its members to grow in self-awareness and in their relationships to others and to God.

Learn More About Briar Cliff's Mission, Vision, and Values

OTD Program Mission

The Mission of Briar Cliff University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program is to embody the Franciscan values to provide an interprofessional, occupation-centered, and community-conscious education through an inclusive, learner-centered culture. Students professionally transform as reflective practitioners and servant leaders who critically think using evidence and occupation to promote health and well-being with diverse, underserved persons, groups, and populations.

OTD Program Vision

The vision of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at Briar Cliff University is to be recognized as a regional leader in occupational therapy education that provides a holistic, integrated clinical doctorate degree and prepares graduates to confidently serve underserved individuals and communities using occupation for disease prevention and health promotion.

OTD Program Values

Consistent with Briar Cliff University and the profession of occupational therapy, the OTD Program is founded upon the core values of justice, trust, respect, responsibility, integrity, and compassion. These values guide all program initiatives and ensure that the Program's mission, vision, goals, and outcomes are achieved.

Manuals, Policies, and Services

University Accreditation and Policies

Learn more about all university policies, including:

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University Academic Catalog

In the Briar Cliff University academic catalog, you'll find general university information, guidelines, majors, courses, academic requirements, etc. The catalog that pertains to you is based on the type of student you are and the year you enrolled at BCU.

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Briar Cliff Student Handbook

A guide to student rights, responsibilities and services at Briar Cliff University.

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Student Support Services

Briar Cliff University provides a broad range of support, from academic and advising to career and counseling.

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OTD COVID Vaccination Procedures

A guide to COVID vaccines and clinical site requirements.

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Read About the "Briar Cliff Difference"

Philosophy

Curriculum Design

Accreditation Statement

a. The Briar Cliff University entry-level doctoral occupational therapy degree (OTD) program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929, (301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org. Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status that indicates the program is progressing toward accreditation and may matriculate students in professional courses. Candidate for Accreditation does not assure eventual accreditation.

The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). All states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

See the Accreditation Timeline Here

Meet the Director: Dr. Cortni Krusemark, OTD, OTR/L

Invite from the Chair:

"Briar Cliff University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program was designed for you! I invite you to discover our unique, occupational therapy program created to help you grow personally and professionally through real-life experiences. The inclusive, family-like culture values learners as experts in their own experiences and encourages them to contribute to the shared, interprofessional community of learning. Using a Franciscan lens, we learn how relationships and occupation can promote health and wellness in the communities we serve. We would love to have you join us and allow us to become a part of your story as you achieve the milestones towards a career in meaningful living."

-Cortni Krusemark, OTD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor and Founding Program Director

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Cortni Krusemark, OTD, OTR/L

Program Director, Assistant Professor

Education and Training

American Occupational Therapy Association, Credentialed Leader in Academia
Clinical Doctorate, Occupational Therapy, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
BA, Health Science, Wayne State College, Wayne, NE

Scholarship

Krusemark, C. (2021) Narrative is Destiny. Abstract accepted as a platform presentation at the Iowa Occupational Therapy Association Fall Conference for October 30, 2021, Des Moines, Iowa.
Krusemark, C. (2021) Visual Skills and Their Impact on Learning and Mental Health. Abstract accepted as a platform presentation at the Northwest Area Education Agency Conference for June 2021, Sioux City, Iowa.
Beaulieu, T, Burris, E, Grieve, S, Krusemark, C. (2020). Chronic Pain Program. Abstract presented as a poster presentation at the Pro Bono Network Conference, virtual conference.
Krusemark, C, Wienk, B, and Cross, P. (2020). The Effectiveness of a Distance-Based Interprofessional Educational Experience. Abstract presented as a poster presentation at the American Occupational Therapy Association Education Summit Conference, virtual conference.
Krusemark, C., Wienk, B., Strong, E., Burns, S. J., Hauer, P., Schweinle, W., Cross, P. (2020). Inter- and intra-rater reliability of a comprehensive practical evaluation tool. Abstract presented as a poster presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association Educational Leadership Conference, virtual conference.
Krusemark, C., and Grieve, S. (2022). Interdisciplinary reasoning. [Manuscript submitted for publication]. In Editor B. A. Schell and J. W. Schell (Ed.), Clinical and professional reasoning in occupational therapy (3^rd Edition). [Unpublished-in draft]
Vogel, E., Krusemark, C., Wienk, B., Burns, S., and Hauer, P. (2023, February 23). Assessing quality of doctor of physical therapy education in hybrid learning environment. [Poster presentation]. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Krusemark, C., Burns, S., and Cross, P. (2022, November 11). Mapping student success in a rehabilitation management course through the implementation of universal design for learning pedagogies. [Platform presentation]. American Occupational Therapy Education Summit Conference, Orlando, FL.
Krusemark, C. (2021, October 30) Narrative is destiny. [Platform presentation]. Iowa Occupational Therapy Association Fall Conference, Des Moines, IA.
Krusemark, C. (2021, June 21) Visual Skills and Their Impact on Learning and Mental Health. [Platform presentation]. Northwest Area Education Agency Conference, Sioux City, IA.
Beaulieu, T., Burris, E., Breitbarth, J., and Krusemark, C. (2021, April). Analyzing prospective relationship between sensory modulation disorder and individuals with chronic pain. [Platform presentation]. Briar Cliff University Excellence Event, Sioux City, Iowa.
Krusemark, C., Wienk, B., and Cross, P. (2020, October). The effectiveness of a distance-based interprofessional educational experience. [Poster presentation]. American Occupational Therapy Association Education Summit Conference, virtual.
Krusemark, C., Wienk, B., Strong, E., Burns, S. J., Hauer, P., Schweinle, W., and Cross, P. (2020, October). Inter- and intra-rater reliability of a comprehensive practical evaluation tool. [Poster presentation]. American Physical Therapy Association Educational Leadership Conference, virtual.

Professional Membership

American Occupational Therapy Association
Iowa Occupational Therapy Association
Nebraska Occupational Therapy

Community Leadership

Siouxland Center for Active Generations, Advisory Board Member
Briar Cliff University, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Advisory Board Member
The Community Initiative for Native American Families
Dixon County 4-H Council, Vice President, and Board Member

Doctor of Occupational Therapy | Direct and Indirect Expenses

The cost breakdown below outlines both the direct expenses Doctor of Occupational Therapy students will receive from Briar Cliff University and the other estimated living expenses that students will need to budget for each year they are in school. The total tuition and fees costs will vary depending on the credit hours and the total number of indirect expenses will vary with lifestyle of each student. The chart below will help you estimate your investment and create your budget plan.

2022-2023	Summer*	Fall/Spring (per term)*
Tuition	$9,022	$13,533
Estimated Books	$954	$1,037
Estimated Transportation	$1,148	$1,513
Estimated Personal Expenses	$574	$765
Estimated Loan Fee	$151	$152
Estimated Off Campus Living Expenses	$3,864	$4,947
Estimated With Parent Living Expenses	$1,596	$2,261

*Rates do not include graduation application fee or cap and gown charges. Those are assessed if, and only if, a student does graduate and are not bundled into semester charges. If a course adds a specific course fee, those fees are in addition to the above charges. Estimated expenses are not required expenses.

The information provided is not a bill. Briar Cliff University reserves the right to modify the cost of attendance without prior notice. Tuition and fees are re-assessed annually and are subject to change. The estimated personal expenses includes Loan Fee Allowance and Personal Allowance. The Estimated Transportation & Travel includes health insurance, loan fees, immunizations, professional memberships, parking, clinical research travel and conference travel. University Graduation Fees are additional.

OTD Application Process

A rolling admissions process is used to process and review applications. Selected applicants will be invited to interview between September and March. Due to the rolling admissions process, all available seats in the program could be filled prior to February 1, therefore candidates are strongly encouraged to apply early.

Applicants must complete the application process on the Occupational Therapy Centralized Admission System (OTCAS) and have their application completed and verified to be considered for admissions. It can take several weeks for applications to be verified by OTCAS, so please plan accordingly.

Briar Cliff University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program is committed to offering equal opportunity to all and therefore encourages applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We value applicants from rural and underserved areas who appreciate different perspectives, are critical thinkers dedicated to their own learning, and are committed to serving and advocating for others through servant leadership.

Application Requirements

Applications to the Briar Cliff University OTD Program must meet the following admission requirements:

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution must be completed before your cohort begins in June (official transcript required).
A minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 with a C or better in all prerequisite courses. Candidates must have completed the prerequisites within the last 5 years. We accept applications with prerequisites still in progress if we receive official transcripts showing successful completion (C or better) prior to program matriculation. Any prerequisite coursework completed in 2020, and thereafter, and graded on a Pass/Fail basis due to COVID restrictions will be considered. Additional documentation may be required.
Two (2) letters of recommendation: Letter #1 - from an occupational therapist (OTR) who was involved in the applicant's occupational therapy experience hours. Letter #2 - from a college-level advisor and/or instructor who instructed them in one or more classes.
Resume: 1-2 pages demonstrating lived experiences that match the mission and values of the Briar Cliff OTD Program
A minimum of 30 hours of observation/volunteer experiences. Students applying to the OTD Program are required to have a minimum of 30 hours of experience, within the last 5 years, observing an occupational therapist and/or volunteer service hours to community organizations in need of help. Observation in occupational therapy can be completed in-person, via telehealth, and/or up-to 12 hours through webinars. If webinars are utilized to complete some observation hours, a certificate of completion must be submitted with the application. An example of an accepted webinar includes:
· Quinnipiac University Occupational Therapy Shadowing Experience Online Modules (password: LucasQU)

Essential Skills and Functions

This OTD program, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. It is the expectation that occupational therapy students must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, each of the expected essential functions in order to fully participate in and complete the graduation requirements for a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.

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Course Prerequisites

Students applying to the OTD program should earn a baccalaureate-level degree by June 1 prior to entrance into this program. Applicants are allowed to have no more than two outstanding prerequisite courses left to be taken in the spring semester prior to entrance into the program.

COURSE SUBJECT	LAB REQUIRED?	CREDIT HOURS
Anatomy	Yes	3
Physiology	Yes	3
Lifespan Psychology	No	3
Abnormal Psychology	No	3
Medical Terminology	No	1-3
Statistics or Research	No	3
Social Science (Sociology, Anthropology)	No	3
Writing	No	3
Biology (Advanced Level)	Yes	Recommended
Physics	Yes	Recommended

Acceptance Checklist

If you are offered a position in the program and wish to accept, please complete the following steps to ensure you are ready to enroll.

1. Reserve Your Spot

Submit a $500, non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot in our next cohort.

2. Complete a criminal background check.

All students accepted into the OTD program must complete a background check through Certiphi Screening, Inc. This background check is a requirement of matriculation into the program and is at the expense of the student (cost is approximately $92).

When students begin their Level II Fieldwork in the OTD program, they may be required to complete an additional background check with the most up-to-date information based on the clinical education site.

3. Complete all required immunizations.

Students entering the OTD program are required to provide current proof of immunization prior to participating in any clinical education experience. No drug testing is currently required for enrollment at Briar Cliff University, but students are responsible for obtaining any additional immunizations or drug testing that may be required at a clinical education site. The following immunizations and tests are required, and must be valid throughout each clinical education experience: DTaP (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) 1&2, TB skin test (within 6 months of enrollment), Polio, Hepatitis B (full series plus titer), and Varicella (Chicken Pox). Please see OTD COVID Vaccination Procedures.

4. Prove active certification in CPR/AED.

5. Submit Final Transcripts

Students must supply an official transcript demonstrating graduation from accredited undergraduate institution & completion of all prerequisite courses. Transcript must be an official transcript sent directly to BCU from the degree-granting institution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Briar Cliff University on Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)? Briar Cliff will be on the OTCAS web-based application system when applications open in July of each year. To apply to our OTD program, you will need to use the OTCAS web-based application.
Do you require the GRE? GRE scores are not required to apply to the OTD program. Any GRE scores received by