Course Descriptions

InterProfessional Approach to Health | 3 Credits 
OTD-7001
This doctoral seminar exposes students to major theories and research about the
process of interprofessional collaboration and looks at the features of successful
interprofessional teams and team leaders. This course will also give students the
opportunity to delve into specific topics in the literature on interprofessional
collaboration that will inform their chosen specialty area of study in the OTD
program.
 
Teaching in Higher Education | 2 Credits
OTD-7002
This course prepares students for the role of teaching in graduate programs and
courses. Students will learn how to develop syllabi, course content, and course
assessment. Instructional methods and strategies for enhancing student learning
and teaching with technology will be introduced and applied. Students will learn
how to transition and thrive in academia.
 
Advanced Occupation-Based Perspectives | 3 Credits
OTD-7003
This course examines the multifaceted aspects of human occupations. It will
include perspectives from Occupational Science, Ecological Models of
Occupation, Model of Human Occupation, Canadian Models of Occupational
Performance and Engagement, and Person, Environment, Occupation model.
The course will emphasize strength-based approaches, including enablement,
relevant positive psychological constructs and interpersonal influences that
facilitate participation in the clients’ meaningful roles and occupations.

Grant Writing and Disseminating Scholarship | 3 Credits
OTD-7004
This course will introduce students to the process of bringing their capstone work
to the scholarly community. As part of this course, students will create a
conference proposal, complete a grant application, and understand the process
of submitting to a peer-review journal.
 
Doctoral Capstone Research Methods | 3 Credits
OTD-8001
This course is designed to prepare the student for the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone project. A range of Doctoral Capstone options will be covered,
including, but not limited to a systematic review, a qualitative or quantitative
study, and program/manual development. Topics also will include searching,
evaluating and synthesizing relevant research literature, developing a research
question from the literature or from practice, introduction to systematically
collecting and coding data (qualitatively or quantitatively), learning about an
appropriate research or program evaluation design and data analysis method.
The course will culminate in a well-developed idea for a doctoral capstone project
(acceptable to the Doctoral Capstone Design instructor and doctoral capstone
mentor).
 
Doctoral Capstone Project | 1 Credit
OTD-8030, OTD-8031
Once the capstone mentor is assigned (and consents to the proposal), the
mentor and course instructor will help the student refine and guide the project
development and implementation to the final presentation.
 
Doctoral Capstone Design | 4 Credits
OTD-8002
The content emphasis for this course will focus on a) developing a capstone
proposal, and b) learning methods for data analysis or program
assessment/outcomes. Students will go through the institutional review board
(IRB) process as part of this course.
 
Doctoral Capstone Thesis & Defense  | 0 Credits
OTD-8033
After completing the doctoral capstone project, the student will submit a scholarly
manuscript and defend their doctoral capstone project thesis during a
presentation to a committee of selected Salus faculty, mentors, and peers.

SPECIALTY TRACK COURSES

Remedial Vision Rehabilitation Track

This course is designed to provide students with a strong understanding of the
anatomy and physiology of the visual system, and an understanding of the 3 -
component model of vision, and the relationship between vision and occupation.
The literature will be explored relative to the prevalence of vision problems in
both the pediatric population and the acquired brain injury population. Important
topical areas about vision in the pediatric and acquired brain injury populations
will be explored.
 

This course is designed to prepare students to provide remedial vision
rehabilitation (vision therapy) for visual efficiency problems while working with
optometrists. The course will begin with a complete review of the various
treatment modalities available to eye care professionals when treating both visual
integrity and visual efficiency problems in the pediatric and acquired brain injury
populations. The history of vision therapy will be explored and areas of
controversy will be discussed. Students will be required to review the literature to
understand the current evidence about the effectiveness of vision therapy for
various visual efficiency problems. Students will have an intensive five-day, on-
site workshop designed to provide them with experience performing remedial
vision rehabilitation. When returning home, students will be required to perform
each vision therapy technique with a minimum of two subjects.
 

Remedial Vision Rehab 2: Eye Movement And Visual Information Processing Problems | 3 Credits
OTD-7531
Intensive/On-Campus

This intensive/on-campus course is designed to prepare students to provide
remedial vision rehabilitation (vision therapy) for eye movement, visual
information processing, and visual field loss problems while working with
optometrists. The course will begin with a complete review of the various
treatment modalities available to eye care professionals when treating eye
movement, visual information processing, and visual field problems in the
pediatric and acquired brain injury populations. Students will be required to
review the literature to understand the current evidence about the effectiveness
of vision therapy visual information processing problems. Students will have an
intensive 5-day, on-site workshop designed to provide them with experience
performing remedial vision rehabilitation. When returning home, students will be
required to perform each vision therapy technique with a minimum of 2 subjects.

Health and Wellness Track

Health & Wellness Across the Life Cycle | 3 Credits
OTD-7701

This doctoral seminar will examine major theories and research on bio-psycho-
social health and wellness across the lifespan from childhood, through adulthood
(relationship/family development, work years, and changing women's health
needs), post-work life including new conceptualizations of healthy retirements.
These holistic perspectives will be integrated with Occupational Therapy
conceptual models and practice, including lifestyle redesign, chronic illness self-
management, as well as relevant complementary and integrative practices, and
processes that will enable positive change. Exploration of the health and
wellness needs and vulnerabilities of people with disability or at risk for disability
will be included.

Global and Cultural Perspectives of Health and Health Policy | 3 Credits
OTD-7702 

This course provides students with an overview of global health and health policy
and focuses on the social, economic and environmental factors that impact the
health of populations around the world. Health problems discussed include but
are not limited to, malnutrition, injury, disasters, mental health disorders and
chronic diseases. Emphasis is on the epidemiology of global health issues, and
the policies and interventions that address these concerns. The role of the
occupational therapist in global and population health is stressed throughout the
course.

Health Promotion in Groups, Communities & Populations | 3 Credits
​OTD-7703

This intensive/on-campus course is designed to provide students with concepts
of community health and health promotion, as well as population prevention
strategies. Integration of epidemiological research with principles of collaboration,
building partnerships, lifestyle strategies. and coalition development will be
covered. Specific needs of certain groups or communities particularly those with
disabilities or chronic illnesses who occupational therapists treat will be
discussed.
 

Innovative Occupational Therapy Health and Wellness Practices | 3 Credits
OTD-7704 

This intensive/on-campus class is designed to explore contemporary health and
wellness opportunities and envision future possibilities for Occupational
Therapists (OT) brought about changes in the healthcare funding landscape and
society. Some of the topics will explore occupational therapy opportunities in
primary care, defining the OT role in self-management of chronic conditions,
ergonomics advances, innovative community accessibility initiatives for children
and families, transitional service and support for people with developmental
disabilities or aging in place, and technology. This course has taken students to
cutting-edge accessible museums/planning playgrounds for children/families with
disabilities, and progressive community services for young adults with disabilities.