Belmont University introduces new Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate program
The program is designed for individuals who are already licensed occupational therapists and wish to expand and enhance their education.
Belmont University is launching a new Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate program that is designed specifically for individuals who are already licensed occupational therapists who are seeking to expand their capabilities and move beyond solely clinical practice.
According to an article on Belmont University’s website, Dr. Tamara Lemmonds, who is the OTD program director, was quoted as saying of the new program, "We designed this program with working professionals in mind. Our goal is to transform excellent clinicians into excellent educators in the broadest sense — whether they aspire to become professors in higher education, program developers in rural communities or clinic directors developing continuing education. There's job security in this blooming market, and those who earn their doctorate now will be first in line for these opportunities.”
The program is a one-year almost completely online program designed for licensed occupational therapists with master's degrees. It delivers courses asynchronously, giving the working professionals who will be taking the classes the ability to complete them on their own time as it fits within their schedule. There are two required on-campus weekends that keep the program from being entirely online.
Students will learn and gain experience in topics such as instructional design, leadership, program development, and research. The courses are designed to give licensed occupational therapists the chance to develop their education and their career such that they can move beyond solely clinical settings.
The new program is unique in that it contains a teaching practicum that will give students the opportunity to develop and present their own educational content to their class, providing them with hands-on teaching experience. Additionally, students will complete a capstone project and will then be able to present their research as it aligns with their professional goals.
The first cohort of the program will begin in August 2025.
For more information about Belmont University, visit the school’s website.