Mission
To provide Christ-centered OT education that inspires professionals to seek scientific knowledge, affirm faith, and transform lives in a dynamic healthcare environment.
Vision
To create a serene, holistic, Christ-centered environment where graduates integrate the program's education, research, and its drive to change the world in collaboration with other healthcare programs and strive to become agents of change and OT professional leaders at various levels.
Philosophy
- Encourage students to embrace lifelong learning, recognizing that meaningful engagement in occupations, as designed by God, enhances personal and societal well-being.
- Develop competence in occupational therapy practice, integrating professional reasoning, critical thinking, and research.
- Prepare graduates to work independently as generalists in diverse, dynamic healthcare environments, serving the needs of various communities.
Core Values
include exemplifying Christian values through family spirit, servant heart, and having an inquisitive mind.
| Family Spirit | Servant Heart | Inquisitive Mind |
| Advocate for the vulnerable | Live prayerfully | Desire life-long learning |
| Maintain a safe environment | Lead unselfishly | Ask relevant questions |
| Teamwork and have fun | Listen deeply | Integrate knowledge into practice |
| Take responsibility | Display compassion | Remain contemporay |
| Be accountable | Show respect | Display intellectual courage |
Curriculum Plan
The OTD curriculum builds on a liberal arts and sciences foundation, helping students apply their knowledge in classrooms, clinical settings, and communities.
This program’s curriculum design focuses on three core curriculum threads: Evidence-Based Practice, Collaboration and Professionalism, and Servant Leadership, which aligns withs with Andrews University’s core values. It progresses from foundational sciences and basic skills to advanced practice areas and research. Students will develop and complete a capstone project under a mentor, culminating in a capstone project presentation.
The program is responsive to the evolving needs of healthcare, education, and society. It emphasizes critical inquiry, evidence-based practice, and the integration of Christ's power in both personal and professional life, guiding students to recognize and address the spiritual needs of their patients.
OTD Graduates
Entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to address patient needs across the lifespan. They are prepared to make independent judgments, promote client health, and provide culturally sensitive care. Graduates are adaptable, compassionate, and ready for autonomous practice, following the example of Christ in showing empathy and respect for all individuals (Matthew 14:14). They are well-prepared to pass the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy exam and deliver evidence-based occupational therapy throughout the continuum of care.
Objectives
- Provide Christ-centered Occupational Therapy education to inspire and prepare professionals.
- Equip students with evidence-based skills for entry-level clinical practice in evolving healthcare settings.
- Prepare clinicians to conduct research and develop evidence-informed practices.
- Foster professional reasoning for achieving therapeutic outcomes.
- Encourage lifelong learning in occupational therapy, affirming the connection between occupation and faith.
- Cultivate competence in diverse practice settings through professional reasoning and critical thinking.
- Advocate for health promotion and preventive services to meet current and future occupational needs.
- Prepare graduates to practice autonomously in diverse and dynamic healthcare environments.
- Promote cultural responsiveness and advocate for equitable access and inclusion in occupational therapy.
Faculty Goals
- Integrate Christian values into the occupational therapy classroom.
- Connect to their profession through licensure and professional organization membership.
- Hold a post professional doctoral degree.
- Cultivate contemporary knowledge/practice expertise in assigned teaching area.
- Develop, review, and revise the occupational therapy curriculum plan collectively in collaboration with OTD Advisory Council.
- Admit students into the OTD program who have an appropriate balance of prerequisite courses and the ability to successfully complete the OTD program and practice in the profession.
- Maintain current knowledge abilities in instruction and teaching methods including course content, design, and assessment methods.
- Pursue an on-going scholarship agenda which culminates in the peer-reviewed dissemination of original contributions.
- Serve the department, college, university, profession, and/or community.
- Model professional behavior.