Specialty Pathways
The Huntington University Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy (OTD) offers specialty pathways beyond the generalist curriculum to allow students to explore and gain experience in advanced areas of practice across the lifespan. Fast-track your career with threaded specialty content in the areas of pediatrics, hand therapy, older adult, and cross-cultural practice. Threaded experiences include additional classroom learning, special-interest clubs, collaborative research, clinical rotations, and doctoral capstone projects.
Specialty Pathway in Pediatrics
- Student-led organization
- NICU and early intervention special interest club
- Specialty presentations to prepare for early intervention and NICU practice, feeding challenges, and family-centered coaching
- Leadership opportunities
- Community-based advanced clinical training with faculty
- Pediatric continuing education opportunities that are American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) sponsored
- Collaborative research, presentations, and scholarly work
- Pediatric publication in the Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention
- Doctoral capstone projects with pediatric specialty focus
- Local and national opportunities to network with pediatric specialists
Specialty Pathway in Hand Therapy
- Hand and orthopedics special interest clubAdvanced custom orthotics course sponsored by the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) sponsored
- Elective advanced anatomy program with cadaver dissection
- Collaborative research, presentations, and scholarly work
- Related publications in the Journal of Hand Therapy and Journal of OT Education
- National presentations at annual ASHT and AOTA meetings
- Faculty with specialty practice experience in hand therapy (CHT) and ergonomics (CEES)
- Level II clinical rotations at top hand facilities in the country and related doctoral capstone projects
Specialty Pathway in Older Adult
- Establishing partnerships with the Parkview Health Center on Aging and Health as well as the Parkview Health Movement Disorder Clinic
- Integration of innovative technology addressing neurologic deficits of the adult and older adult population
- Specialized training in movement disorder treatment interventions impacting the older adult population
- Certification in CarFit Technician and Event Coordinator
- Collaborative research, presentations, and scholarly work
- Publications in Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation
- Research collaboration with the American Academy of Neurology
- Presentations at local, regional, and national conferences
- Related fieldwork and doctoral capstone opportunities serving the older adult population
Specialty Pathway in Cross-Cultural Practice
- Local and international service learning opportunities with underserved populations
- International clinical opportunities in Guatemala and Peru
- Collaborative research, presentations, and scholarly work
- Clinical rotations with underserved populations
- International doctoral capstone opportunities
Specialty Pathway in Ergonomics and Technology
- Student-led organization
- Presentations and workshops led by organizational leaders, practitioners, and other professionals with experience in the areas of ergonomics or assistive technology
- Collaborative projects, research, and scholarly work
- Opportunities for clinical integration and site visits within the areas of ergonomics and assistive technology
- Integration of emerging technology, some of which may include virtual reality, smart home automation, 3D printing, or innovative adaptive equipment.
Specialty Pathway in Mental Health
- Facilitating an environment for students who have interests in further understanding the role of occupational therapy in behavioral mental health, and in psychosocial aspects of occupational therapy practice
- Establishing partnerships with local and regional behavioral mental health and community-based practice organizations
- Participation in events and activities that encourage health promotion and overall physical and mental wellness
- Advocating for mental health awareness to decrease the stigma of mental illness, while also advocating at a state and national level to increase awareness of occupational therapy’s unique contributions to a behavioral mental health team
- Specialized training focusing on evidence-based practice and psychiatric rehabilitation techniques
- Hosting guest speakers from the community, practitioners in behavioral mental health, who can share their perspective with regard to holistic wellness that takes into consideration clients’ optimal occupational participation
- Endeavor to seek opportunities for collaborative research, presentations, and scholarly work
- Presentations at local, regional, and national conference
- Explore related fieldwork and doctoral capstone opportunities serving clients who have mental and behavioral occupational healthcare needs
