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4 TERMS | 16 MONTHS
Summer: May 5th, 2025
Spring: January 6th, 2026
The Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PPOTD) program is tailored for licensed occupational therapists holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree who seek to advance their clinical practice, leadership, and scholarly expertise. You can complete the coursework 100% online in 4-terms (16 months) with options to tailor your courses to align with six elective advanced certificate tracks. The six tracks can be aligned to your current or future career goals. Through a combination of core courses, mentorship, and a doctoral capstone, graduates are prepared to lead, innovate, and contribute to the field of occupational therapy at the highest levels.
The courses will be faculty-led with asynchronous weekly lectures, readings, and assignments. Asynchronous means that students will access and complete the coursework on their own time frame within a given week. The elective certification track courses may have weekend live, virtual educational events.
Two tracks to a doctorate in OT. Students with a bachelor’s degree or a master’s in occupational therapy can qualify for the PPOTD. See details for specific admissions requirements.
The curriculum is designed with the working professional in mind, no matter the work schedule, you can complete assignments on your own time and schedule. The program will provide knowledge that can be translated into the workplace to advance one’s professional perspective.
SCU scholarships are designed to offset college costs without the burden of loans or extra work. Scholarships are available for you to apply to help reduce the cost of your tuition. They are designed to reward, encourage, and assist students in the pursuit of academic excellence and leadership. Visit SCU Scholarship for a complete listing of the available benefits.
The program offers six elective certificate tracks: Advanced Practice in Hand Therapy, Advanced Integrative Behavioral Health, Advanced Musculoskeletal Management of the Pelvic Girdle, Faculty Certification in Academic Excellence, Therapeutic Pain Specialist, and Advanced Geriatric Practice, enabling students to customize their education to align with their career goals. The elective certificate tracks will support the development, implementation, and completion of the Capstone Project. The elective tracks allow graduates to consider new areas of practice, opportunities for advancement, and career role changes.
SCU’s focus on integrative whole health education is highlighted in core coursework, the capstone project, and the elective certificate tracks. Whole health is about treating the whole person (body, mind, and spirit). It requires us to consider not just the physical, but also the mental, spiritual, socio-economic, relational, environmental, and systems-level determinants of health and well-being—so that people can live their fullest, most meaningful lives.
The Doctoral Capstone project is a critical academic and professional milestone. It offers students an opportunity to demonstrate innovative thinking on relevant issues in occupational therapy. Many capstone projects lead to publications or evolve into future research opportunities or career advancements in the healthcare field.
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Submit an inquiry for more information on the program or call/email to speak to an Admissions Advisor or faculty member.
The PPOTD program is structured to provide a comprehensive educational experience that builds on the foundational knowledge and clinical skills of practicing occupational therapists. The program is divided into four terms over 16 months, with the first two terms focused on core curriculum courses, scholarly research, and doctoral mentorship. The core curriculum covers advanced clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, occupational science, and leadership and advocacy in healthcare. The final two terms allow students to pursue elective certifications in their chosen specialty tracks and to complete a mentored doctoral capstone project, which emphasizes applied research, clinical innovation, or leadership in occupational therapy.
This program enables OTs to deepen their clinical expertise and gain skills to assume leadership, advocacy, and teaching roles in the field. In as little as 16 months, you’ll find yourself qualified to:
The six elective certificates offered within SCU’s PPOTD program add significant value to both the educational experience and post-graduation qualifications of students. These certificates are delivered in partnership with Evidence In Motion. Each certificate provides specialized training that aligns with current industry demands, allowing students to deepen their expertise. These certifications not only enhance the learning experience by offering focused, practical knowledge but also equip graduates with versatile credentials that distinguish them in the job market and expand their career opportunities in clinical, academic, and leadership roles.
Students can select one of six certificates that are part of the curriculum.
*All certifications will total approximately 10 credits however each track has variable credits based on certification requirements.
| Certificate | Term 3* Credits |
Term 4* Credits |
Total Credits |
| Advanced Practice in Hand Therapy | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| Advanced Integrative Behavioral Health | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| Advanced Musculoskeletal Management of the Pelvic Girdle | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| Faculty Certification in Academic Excellence | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| Therapeutic Pain Specialist | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| Advanced Geriatric Practice | 4 | 6 | 10 |
The Certificate for Advanced Practice in Hand Therapy will build upon entry-level concepts in the evaluation and treatment of the upper quarter, allowing for improved skill and confidence in managing a variety of commonly seen diagnoses in the field of hand therapy. Through didactic coursework, along with hands-on experience, learners will develop and improve skills needed throughout the therapeutic process including special evaluation and assessment techniques, therapeutic progression, manual therapy techniques, and orthotic fabrication.
Behavioral health conditions (Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, etc.) are commonplace among clients seeking care for pain, chronic illness, and other health concerns. This program will equip licensed healthcare providers with the foundational knowledge, skills, and techniques needed to relate to their patients in a biopsychosocially informed manner. Learners will recognize the key features of integrating behavioral health concepts and clinical decision-making skills into their daily work. Ultimately, this advanced certification program prepares clinicians to effectively treat clients experiencing complex conditions with confidence, compassion, and competence. All coursework can be completed online.
The Certificate in Advanced Musculoskeletal Management of the Pelvic Girdle, is designed for physical therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapist assistants, and other healthcare providers who are interested in or currently working with patients with pelvic girdle dysfunction, including SI joint pain, piriformis syndrome, hip/back pain not responding to typical treatment, and abdominal pain. This certification combines a strong foundation in musculoskeletal best practice & current evidence with pain science and external assessment of and intervention for the pelvic floor to equip practitioners for success with even the most challenging pelvic girdle challenges. This program would also be highly beneficial for providers who already treat the pelvic floor internally but want to more fully understand how the pelvic floor fits into the rest of the body and provide a more comprehensive treatment package for their patients.
The comprehensive online training program assists healthcare educators and those interested in transitioning into academia in the development of essential knowledge and skills within the academic setting. This program features faculty-led modules that promote excellence in professional healthcare education. Learners will increase knowledge, skills, and confidence to promote academic excellence, create opportunities for significant learning, and enhance professional growth for success within healthcare education.
The Therapeutic Pain Specialist (TPS) certification curriculum covers treatments such as pain neuroscience education, graded motor imagery, pacing, graded exposure, and more. TPS is an interdisciplinary pain certification, open to various licensed health care providers, including physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapist assistants, medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, and others. Our six-month certification is designed for working professionals who want to advance their career and improve patient outcomes, but who need flexibility to work around their professional and personal responsibilities. Choose between a hybrid or online track where you’ll participate in didactic and collaborative experiences.
The Advanced Geriatric Certification seeks to produce highly skilled and autonomous geriatric practitioners who are prepared to manage the complexities often present in older adult patients. Program graduates will be able to apply evidence-informed rehabilitation models to a variety of older adult patients with a multitude of medical conditions/ comorbidities across all practice settings. These individuals will be skilled in identifying the nuances that are present in complex older adult patients to optimize rehabilitation outcomes, achieve patient goals, and provide top-of-the-line patient-centered care.
Students must maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA and earn at least a GPA of 2.75 each term to progress through the program and retain their student status. Students are required to complete all didactic and experiential coursework and a Doctoral Capstone Project within 3 years of matriculation and achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.75.
Dear future Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy Graduates!
SCU is excited to introduce you to the new ppOTD program. This program has been designed for working occupational therapy professionals with a flexible, asynchronous curriculum and capstone opportunities designed to fit your interests.
Our program offers a flexible part-time structure, allowing you to complete your degree in just 16 months. The curriculum consists of 20 core credit hours and 10 elective credit hours of certification tracks. This will give you the opportunity to tailor your education to your needs.
Our mission is to advance your education and expertise while focusing on a specialty track. We look forward to helping you advance your career and supporting you in this next phase of your education!
Program Coordinator, PPOTD Program
Southern California University of Health Sciences
Applicants for the PPOTD program must meet the following admissions standards. Applicants who do not meet all requirements may be admitted with the approval of the Program Coordinator or Dean; exceptions are made on an individual basis.
To enter the Bachelor’s to Doctorate Pathway, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy AND provide documentation of at least one (1) of the criteria below:
Connect 1-on-1 and schedule a phone appointment with an SCU Admissions Advisor to discuss your path to becoming a future healthcare professional and any questions about the SCU program. Schedule here.
$24,990 in tuition to complete the program.*
SCU’s Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs allows you to plan your educational investment.
Benefits of our Fixed Tuition Guarantee:
If you would like to learn more about fixed rate tuition, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@scuhs.edu.
You can also visit the Office of Financial Aid website to learn more about available scholarships, loans, and more.
*Tuition rate reflected above represents the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information.
**Some limitations apply. View the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee page for more information.
Representative tuition table, the actual tuition cost per term may vary based on when the student starts.
| Term | Tuition* | Program Fees** | Petition to graduate fee | Total Term Cost*** |
| 1 | $6,664 | $150 | $6,814 | |
| 2 | $6,664 | $150 | $6,814 | |
| 3 | $5,831 | $150 | $5,981 | |
| 4 | $5,831 | $150 | $225 | $6,206 |
| Totals | $24,990 | $600 | $225 | $25,815 |
Per term tuition amounts listed above were calculated using the current curriculum plan for credit hours in the term shown times the rate per credit hour and assumes that the student stays on cohort and follows the normal academic progression. The per term tuition rate will vary in Terms 3 and 4 depending on the certificate selected.
*Tuition is charged at $833 per credit hour. Tuition is billed by credit hour and rates reflected above represent the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2024/2025 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on the website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information. Restrictions on our fixed rate tuition guarantee apply. To remain eligible for the fixed rate guarantee, students must graduate either on time or within one additional term of the published program length they are enrolled in. Refer to the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee section of the academic catalog for more information. Actual tuition per term will vary depending upon the number of credit hours enrolled.
**Program fees listed are for the 2024/2025 academic year and are subject to change. Program fees include charges for technology, and ASB, and are charged every term that the student is enrolled.
*** Books, supplies, and other equipment not included in this tuition and fee schedule may be required for this program. The actual cost of attendance varies and depends on multiple factors, including your program of study, when you entered your program, and whether you are a full-time student, among other things.
Students completing the PPOTD will have skills that position them to secure responsible leadership roles such as program director, professor, and others. Additionally, they can become a faculty advisor with a bachelor’s or master’s in occupational therapy degree and pursue this position after becoming a Doctor of Occupational Therapy.
Here are some examples of how a PPOTD program can benefit your career.
Many graduates choose to stay in their current roles, driving positive changes within their workplaces. The assignments throughout the PPOTD program are designed for immediate implementation in your clinical practice. As you gain new insights and techniques rooted in the latest research, you can apply them to enhance client outcomes. Your capstone project will involve exploring and addressing a specific issue from your workplace.
Earning a PPOTD can pave the way to leadership positions in both clinical practice and administration. The curriculum offers a new perspective on organizational dynamics, encouraging strategic and critical thinking about systems and approaches to client care. As you collaborate with professionals from various healthcare disciplines, you’ll be better equipped to lead interprofessional teams, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
The Faculty Certification in Academic Excellence in the PPOTD program equips you with the latest teaching strategies and curriculum development skills for both online and in-person education. You might also find fulfillment as a fieldwork educator, mentoring entry-level OTD capstone students or training new clinical hires.
As you build your research experience during the doctoral program, you might be inspired to delve deeper into an area of OT theory or practice, eventually publishing your findings, possibly in collaboration with other scholars. Use your PPOTD capstone project as a foundation to pursue scholarly publications and presentations.
You might also explore opportunities in writing for online or print OT journals, either as a freelancer or staff writer. Or, consider launching your own website, blog, podcast, or academic journal.
If you’re driven to advance the OT profession and contribute to its growth, consider taking on a leadership role in a state OT board or a national organization like the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Involvement in organizations that address broader healthcare issues can position you to influence OT-related policies at both the local and national levels.
The Doctoral Capstone project is designed to help students develop comprehensive expertise in a specific area of interest. It comprises written, experiential, and oral components.
Preparation for the Capstone project is integrated throughout the program. Each term includes a dedicated capstone preparation course. In Terms 1 and 2, students are introduced to the foundational elements of their capstone project. In Term 1, Scholarly Research focuses on applying evidence-based practice principles to formulate research questions. Students will conduct a needs assessment related to their advanced certification track and begin shaping their capstone project through faculty-led discussions. Term 2, in Doctoral Mentorship, emphasizes refining the capstone project by developing a detailed proposal that outlines implementation, evaluation, and dissemination strategies.
In Terms 3 and 4, Doctoral Capstone Project I & II courses support the implementation phase of the scholarly project. Students will engage with a capstone mentor through a structured supervision plan to demonstrate their growing expertise. Term 4 will concentrate on data collection, analysis, program evaluation, discussion, and results. At the end of Doctoral Capstone Project II, students will prepare a poster presentation for review by faculty and peers.
The Doctoral Capstone project is a critical academic and professional milestone. It offers students an opportunity to demonstrate innovative thinking on relevant issues in occupational therapy. Many capstone projects lead to publications or evolve into future research opportunities or career advancements in the healthcare field.
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