Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate with an Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree from KGI, a student must:

  1. Successfully complete all required OTD coursework. The curriculum will be 127.5 credit hours total with required didactic coursework of 84 credits, the choice of at least one elective at 1.5 credits each, fieldwork level I at 5.5 credits, fieldwork level II at 24 credits, and the doctoral capstone experience at 14 credits.
  2. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of each trimester and at the completion of the program.
  3. Demonstrate competency in professional skills within the OTD program.
  4. Successfully pass two fieldwork level II experiences (24 credits for a total of 960 hours).
  5. Successfully pass the doctoral capstone experience (14 credits for a total of 560 hours).
  6. Complete the KGI graduation application process prior to the established due date.
  7. Meet all KGI financial requirements and obligations, which include ensuring there are no outstanding tuition payments, program fees, graduation fees, library charges, or other institutional fees.

Certification

Once all graduation requirements are met, graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Academic Progression and Retention

All students in the OTD program will be required to successfully complete courses each trimester to progress through the program. The OTD Student Progression Committee (SPC) will serve to review each student’s academic performance and progress through didactic courses, fieldwork, and capstone. The OTD SPC will make recommendations to the Dean on plans for remediation, placement on probation, or withdrawal from the program. To successfully progress through the OTD program, students will:

  1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. If a student’s GPA drops below 3.0, they will be placed on academic probation and be given one semester to raise their GPA to 3.0 or above. Failure to meet this GPA requirement in the extended time period may result in dismissal from the program.
  2. Pass all courses at a C or above (70% or greater). Earning one final course grade of F (below 70%) during didactic courses, fieldwork, or capstone after remediation efforts have been exhausted will result in academic dismissal from the program.
  3. Successfully complete course remediation, if applicable. If a student is failing a course in the semester, they will have the opportunity to remediate prior to the beginning of the next semester pending recommendation by the OTD SPC. Students may only remediate two courses total in the program.
  4. Meet the time-to-completion requirement of 150% of the allocated time for the program. There may be exceptions for students who are delayed due to approved personal or medical leaves of absence.
  5. Follow the KGI Honor Code and demonstrate professionalism in didactic, fieldwork, and capstone contexts.

Retention of students will be supported on several levels from program leadership, faculty, and Student Affairs staff. All parties will provide opportunities to promote student success. Each OTD student will be assigned an OTD Faculty Advisor that will meet with advisees throughout the program. Course coordinators will utilize the SPHS early warning system to help alert students who are academically at-risk where a plan will be established to assist students to successfully pass courses.