Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Certificates
Online | 1 Year | Certificate for Academic Credit
Certificate Highlights
Specialize & Develop as an Occupational Therapist
Specialize, develop, and enhance your career options as an occupational therapist with our OT certificates. Get the professional development you need as you specialize in assistive technology, pediatrics, or leadership. Become a more successful and knowledgeable occupational therapist.
If you are interested in career advancement, effectively leading and managing a clinical team, or learning how to better serve your clients, you should take the first step with our certificate programs. After completing one of our OT certificate programs, you will be ready to think critically while analyzing research, build better treatment plans for your patients, and know how to implement best practices in a wide variety of OT practice environments.
Choose from 3 Certificates
Choose from 3 OT certificate options as you specialize further in your area of choice:
- Assistive Technology Practice Certificate
- Pediatric Practice Certificate
- Leadership in Practice Certificate
Adapt various environments to become more accessible to clients. Build better treatment plans for young patients. Become an effective leader in a multitude of treatment settings.
Our certificate instructors bring years of experience in their fields of expertise to the classroom and are an excellent resource as you advance in your area of choice within your occupational therapy careers.
Transfer into our OTD Program
Designed for the Working OT
Our program is designed for you, the working occupational therapist. Most of our students are full-time working professionals with very busy schedules. We have students that have practiced for 10, 20, and 30 years, as well as students who have just entered the field. Our certificate programs are fully online and are mainly asynchronous.
Occupational Therapy Certificates
Assistive Technology Certificate
Assistive Technology Certificate
Specialize in assistive technology. Prepare to meet the technological needs of your clients. Make a bigger difference in the lives of children and adults with disabilities as you implement assistive technology; increase access to their environments and allow them to more fully live their everyday lives.
Our Assistive Technology Certificate will equip you to:
- Integrate clinical expertise and the best evidence available from systematic research to appraise and execute assistive technology solutions for clients with disabilities.
- Demonstrate high curiosity, clinical reasoning, and continuous learning related to assistive technology.
- Examine global trends in the taxonomy of assistive technology to influence occupational therapy practice.
- Synthesize new learning through the creation of an assistive technology service plan.
Our faculty are certified in Assistive Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology.
Certificate Faculty: Lynn Gitlow, PhD, OTR/L, ATP, FAOTA
Pediatric Practice Certificate
Pediatric Practice Certificate
Specialize in pediatrics. Prepare to meet the needs of your youngest patients and clients. This certificate will help therapists build a professional portfolio of treatment plans that can be applied to current and future clients. The Pediatric Practice certificate is ideal for pediatric practice specialists, occupational therapists who work in outpatient pediatric clinics and schools, or OTs with an interest in pediatrics.
Completing our Pediatric Practice Certificate prepares you to:
- integrate clinical expertise and the current best evidence available from systematic research to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for the pediatric population.
- demonstrate high curiosity, clinical reasoning, and continuous learning related to pediatric practice in occupational therapy.
- examine national trends related to service delivery in pediatric occupational therapy practice.
- synthesize new learning through the creation of case-based projects.
Our Pediatric Practice Certificate is led by faculty who have several years of experience in occupational therapy pediatrics, who can assist you to deepen your pediatric practice.
Certificate Faculty: Amy Nwora, PhD, OTR/L & Lynn McIver, OTD, OTR/L
Leadership in Practice Certificate
Leadership in Practice Certificate
Prepare for leadership and managerial roles. Move into administration or supervisory positions. Our Leadership in Practice Certificate teaches clinicians how to lead and motivate people through transformative leadership as well as how to effectively run occupational therapy businesses and clinics. If you have the desire to manage, lead, or run your own occupational therapy practice, the Leadership in Practice Certificate is a great option for you.
Completing this certificate will prepare you to:
- Build, adapt, and improve healthcare organizations for the 21st century.
- Integrate leadership theory into administrative practices.
- Mediate and manage communication at every level within the organized health system.
- Develop foundational strategies for legal and ethical issues often faced by administrators of healthcare organizations.
Certificate faculty are experienced in leadership and administration in healthcare settings.
Certificate Faculty: Ellen Hudgins, OTD, OTR/L, ITOT
Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to help you specialize in your practice as an occupational therapist in one of the following areas: assistive technology, pediatrics, or leadership. Develop yourself further as an OT.
Assistive Technology
- Assistive Technology Taxonomy & Evaluation
- Intervention & Environment Modifications
- Implementation & Outcome Studies
Code
Course
Credits
AST 716Assistive Technology Taxonomy & Evaluation3
This course requires students to explore the role of occupational therapists in assistive technology in both the educational and medical profession. Theoretical frameworks are reviewed to guide the application of assistive technology for children and adults with disabilities across various environmental contexts in addition to exploration of specialized clinical competencies. Students will review assistive technology taxonomy and theoretical framework that will guide the assistive technology assessment process. Strategies for assessment include identifying area of need, evaluating consumer skills and personal preferences, assessing environmental factors, and selecting technology systems.
AST 726Assistive Technology Intervention & Environment Modifications3
This course requires students to explore the role of occupational therapists in assistive technology interventions and environmental modifications across various environmental contexts. Focus will be on analyzing assistive technology products/devices and features matched to the needs and personal preferences of clients and evidence-based research outcomes. Specific assistive technology areas to be discussed include technology for learning disabilities, computer access, cognitive aids, augmentative and alternative communication devices, sensory aides, electronic aides to daily living, and environmental modifications.
AST 736Assistive Technology Implementation & Outcome Studies3
This course requires students to synthesize information from the assistive technology assessment and tool features matched to the clients’ needs to develop an implementation strategy for successful assistive technology use. Focus will be on development and implementation of an assistive technology plan and coordination of care across environmental contexts, identifying measurable outcomes for progress, training clients and care team, follow-up and documentation. Students will analyze outcome studies on assistive technology effectiveness and incorporate evidence-based research into assistive technology practice.
Pediatric Practice
- Examining Occupational Therapy’s Role with Children & Youth
- Pediatric Occupational Therapy Service Delivery: School-Based Services, Medical Practices, & the Community
- Sensory Processing, Social, & Behavioral Disorders: Addressing Participation in Occupation
Code
Course
Credits
PED 718Examining Therapy's Role with Children & Youth3
This course offers students the opportunity to explore and analyze evidence associated with current and emerging areas of occupational therapy practice addressing the occupational performance needs of children and youth. This course will analyze the current Pediatric Frames of References and best evidence available to guide occupational therapists in the evaluation and intervention process to provide contemporary and innovative occupational therapy services to children and youth in diverse environments. During this course, students will have the opportunity to develop a professional presentation and write a case study treatment plan.
PED 728Pediatric Occupational Therapy Service Delivery: School-Based Services, Medical Practices, & the Community3
This new course will explore the environmental context of occupational therapy services for children and youth. Students will discuss laws governing occupational therapy services in both school-based and medical/private practice settings. Students will utilize evidence-based practice and relevant clinical practice guidelines within the setting discussed and analyze outcome effectiveness of occupational therapy services. Students will use critical reasoning to compare and contrast service delivery systems including early intervention, school-based services, medical practices, and community service delivery. A program service evaluation or client-based case study will allow students to synthesize new learning.
PED 738Sensory Processing, Social, & Behavioral Disorders: Addressing Participation in Occupation3
This course requires students to explore the role of occupational therapy on promoting participation in occupation for children with sensory processing, social, and behavioral needs. Focus will be on analysis of current diagnostic criteria and critically questioning and appraising the state of current and emerging evidence on assessments, outcome measures and intervention to promote best practices for children and youth. Diagnoses covered within this course include sensory processing disorder, autism, ADHD, and anxiety. Students will engage in critical reasoning within forum discussions, analyzing intervention strategies, and developing a client-based case study.
Leadership in Practice
Our Leadership in Practice Certificate is designed to broaden your perspectives regarding administration, practice management, entrepreneurship, and innovative leadership. The Leadership in Practice Certificate Program curriculum provides students a framework from which to understand and apply the principles associated with managing and leading programs. The American Occupation Therapy Association (AOTA) has approved the pilot of a Special Interest Section Community of Practice (CoP) dedicated to leadership. Dr. Ellen Hudgins, Director of the Leadership in Practice OTD Elective Track, is a co-facilitator of the AOTA Leadership CoP.
In our Leadership in Practice Certificate you will take courses in the following areas:
- Essentials of Practice Management & Administration
- Best Practice for Organizational Development
- Productivity & Profitability for Participation
Code
Course
Credits
LD 718Essentials of Practice Management & Administration3
This course will allow the student to explore the foundations associated with designing, promoting, and leading a healthcare organization. The course will offer instruction regarding the following principles: financial planning; budgeting, marketing/branding; strategic planning, space designing, and core principles associated with developing and or leading a healthcare organization. The student will utilize current best evidence and clinical practice guidelines in establishing business planning principles for owning or operating a healthcare organization. Students will engage in critical reasoning within forum discussions and through the development of an executive business summary.
LD 726Best-Practice for Organizational Development3
This course will allow students to gain the necessary skills required in the daily operations of leading a healthcare organization. Advanced knowledge occurs in developing a strategic plan along with an evidenced-based business planning. The student will review evidenced associated with human resource theory, strategic planning, development theory, conflict resolution, corporate goal setting and staff development. The course will address barriers associated with integrating evidence into practice, as a leader of a healthcare organization plays an integral part in promoting evidenced-based practice within all healthcare settings. Additionally, the course offers foundational knowledge regarding innovative leadership and entrepreneurship, allowing the student to develop knowledge regarding alternative health care delivery models.
LD 736Productivity and Profitability for Participation3
This course integrates concepts and skills of administration and practice management with core tenets associated with occupational therapy practice patterns. This course focuses on participation in occupation, client-centered care, customer satisfaction and outcome based delivery models. This course aims to equip students with confidence and tools to validate that operating a clinic or business in this way will promote productivity, profitability, client outcomes, and clinician satisfaction. Students synthesize and apply knowledge associated with evidence-based practice, occupation-based practice, client centeredness, documentation, and outcome measurement to establish strategies to lead within the healthcare arena. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify significant factors that affect business sustainability through the creation of an evidence-based final project.
Semester Dates
Summer 2024
Type
Date
Fall 2024
Type
Date
7-8-2024
Winter 2025
Type
Date
Admission Requirements
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from an accredited institution
One year of clinical practice in occupational therapy
Clinical Rotation Requirements including required vaccinations: Admitted students to Rocky Mountain University who will be completing a clinical rotation will receive vaccination forms regarding required vaccinations. Not all vaccinations or proof of immunity are required at the beginning of the program but will be prior to the first clinical rotation. The University allows for vaccination exemptions and more information about the University’s position on vaccination can be reviewed at https://rm.edu/vaccination-statement/
RMU requires the following items prior to starting any clinical rotations (these are subject to change depending upon public health concerns and specific clinic requirements):
- MMR
- Varicella
- Hepatitis B
- TB
- Tdap
- Annual Influenza
- COVID 19
- HIPAA certification
- OSHA certification
- CPR certification
Tuition & Fees
$4,500
University Resource Fee
$39 per credit (Up to 15 credits per semester)
$0
Cost of Attendance
Financial Aid
There are many ways you can pay for your education and receive aid. See how our Financial Aid Office can help you fund your education.
AOTA Membership
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) is proud to be a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The AOTA is the national professional association that was established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy and to improve the quality of occupational therapy services.
Our AOTA membership demonstrates the commitment that RMU has made to the occupational therapy profession, the continuing education of students, and our support for the consumers who need occupational therapy services.