About the DScOT Program

Mission

In harmony with Andrews University’s mission statement, the DScOT program seeks to provide a distinctly Seventh-day Adventist education that molds therapists who are critical thinkers, utilize evidence-based practices, are life-long learners, and integrate their faith to change the healthcare field. Additionally, the program will shape therapists into faculty leaders who innovate, use practical wisdom, integrate research and embody life-long learning while integrating their faith into the classroom. Graduates of the DScOT program will be highly sought therapists who engage in lifelong learning and provide knowledge and direction to change the academic and healthcare fields for the better.

Program Tracks

Customized tracks:
Track 1: 45 credits – entry with OTD. Average Length: Full time 3 years, part-time 5 years.
Track 2: 64 credits – entry with BSOT. Average Length: Full time 4 years, part-time 6 years.
Track 3: 55 credits – entry with MSOT. Average Length: Full time 4 years, part-time 6 years.

DScOT Program Threads

Built around four unique threads:

pursuit of knowledge
evidence-based practice and scholarship
changing healthcare and education
leadership, professionalism, and service

Students entering this program have already demonstrated a desire for pursuit of knowledge. From the first day, this desire will be built upon throughout the program while incorporating the other threads to develop educators and leaders who will change healthcare and education. Students will enhance their knowledge of the evidence available to promote best practice and become change agents in the clinic and classroom. Lastly, leadership, professionalism, and service are woven throughout the program with a strong focus on servant leadership to meet the needs of others.

Philosophy

The DScOT program education is conducted in an interprofessional educational setting grounded in the underlying philosophical foundation of the profession of occupational therapy maintaining that humans learn through the engagement in meaningful occupations. Through this engagement we believe humans evolve, adapt, and transform.

The program is designed around the Transformative Learning Theory. In conjunction with this theory, educators focus on student-centeredness in all aspects of the program and coursework. Teachers emphasize student learning styles, differentiated learning, and problem-solving to support improved educational engagement and outcomes.

The DScOT program believes all graduates are future colleagues both in the clinic and the classroom. Education is a joint effort and a dynamic process between the students and faculty members. Faculty are engaged in learning to provide the highest level of education to the students while focusing on developing critical thinking skills along with the use of evidenced based practices to provide outstanding outcomes for clients and students.

The DScOT program utilizes faculty who integrate faith and healing to minister to the needs of others through providing dynamic healthcare services while promoting a balanced life for the therapist. Servant leadership is promoted and demonstrated to students through faculty’s focus to educate and nurture each student into refined therapists and human beings.

Goals

Graduates of the DScOT program will:

Exhibit superior ethical practice, professionalism, leadership, and advocacy skills to influence their realm of practice for positive change.
Develop the skill of life-long learning and commit to providing up to date evidenced based interventions to participants across the lifespan.
Contribute to the ever-expanding pool of scientific research addressing occupations across a broad spectrum of occupational therapy practice.
Engage in service projects to promote occupation and health in the community while becoming a servant.
Lead academic or healthcare institution to positive changes and outcomes.
Effectively utilize critical analysis to evaluate available evidence and apply this evidence to participation in applied clinical research.