Making the OTD Capstone Matter

The number of OT entry-level doctoral (OTD) programs has been expanding rapidly. In 2017 there were 7 programs. As of 2023, there are 95, with an additional 76 in development.

The article we’ll explore in this course presents early stage research on the doctoral capstone experience and employment opportunities. It backs up what I have now personally observed through mentoring a student: that doctoral students are uniquely prepared for more diverse job opportunities, and sometimes jobs are even created due to the clear value of the capstone experience.

There seems to be a benefit for the profession as a whole, in terms of increased awareness. (Our Achilles heel!)

After we review the article, I’ll welcome our own student, Alana Woolley, and her capstone coordinator, Daniel Rortvedt. Our goal will be to help you decide if you should be a capstone mentor, and shed light on the experience from 3 perspectives.

1. You will be able to recognize how the OTD capstone experience can influence employment opportunities.

2. You will be able to identify how the OTD capstone can boost overall awareness of the OT profession.

• Intro

• Breakdown and analysis of journal article

  • Intro

  • Course details

  • What is the occupational therapy doctoral capstone?

  • Previous research on the OT doctorate and capstone

  • Purpose of this paper

  • Methods

  • Results

  • Article Discussion and Implications

  • Intro to Alana Woolley and Daniel Rortvedt

• Discussion on practical implications for OTs

  1. Dan and Alana Backstory

  2. Article Impressions

  3. Advice for finding the right focus area and mentor

  4. Advice for saying “yes” to a student?

  5. How does the capstone experience feel different from the rest of your education?

  6. What are 3 pitfalls mentors/mentees should avoid?

  7. Due to capstone, have you seen a ripple effect of OT awareness?

  8. What is one way the capstone process could be improved?

  9. What is one piece of advice you have for capstone mentors or students?

Primary

• An exploration of the occupational therapy doctoral capstone: Perspectives from capstone coordinators, graduates, and Site Mentors

Additional

• Perceived value & usefulness of the entry-level occupational therapy doctoral capstone

• Understanding the doctoral capstone coordinator position: A unique faculty role in Occupational Therapy Education

It is the policy of OT Potential to disclose any financial and non-financial interest the provider or instructor may have in a product or service mentioned during an activity. This is to ensure that the audience is made aware of any bias of the speaker.

OT Potential pays guest speakers an honorarium for their participation, either directly or to an institution of the speaker's choosing at their request. We invite guests whose expertise often comes from practices, programs, or building products in their field. Where a speaker has a financial interest in the subject of a course, we disclose it below so you can weigh it for yourself.

OT Potential's interest in this topic: Alana Woolley completed her OTD capstone project in partnership with OT Potential, and that project is hosted in the OT Potential Club. The capstone experience is the subject of this course.

Speaker interests: Alana Woolley and Daniel Rortvedt have no financial interest in this topic to disclose.