As a student in University of the Pacific’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, you will complete a capstone project as the culmination of your studies. These projects are more than academic exercises; they give you the opportunity to engage directly with communities and develop solutions to real-world challenges faced by individuals and populations who benefit from occupational therapy.
What the occupational therapy capstone experience involves
Each capstone spans 14 weeks and involves three key components:
- A research-based presentation suitable for a professional or academic conference
- A program development project designed to meet a specific occupational therapy-related need
- A third deliverable developed in collaboration with your site
You begin your project with Institutional Review Board approval to ensure ethical and research standards are met. The timeline is structured to keep you focused and moving forward from week one through completion.
Where projects happen, and why that matters
Capstone sites reflect the diversity of occupational therapy’s reach. You will work with a variety of partners, including:
- Nonprofits
- Health care systems
- Rural businesses
- Tech companies
- Community-based organizations
These partnerships allow you to build a professional network, contribute to underserved communities and explore occupational therapy in nontraditional settings.
Occupational therapy skills and outcomes
Through these capstone experiences, you will develop skills in:
- Program design and evaluation
- Community needs assessment
- Professional communication and collaboration
- Evidence-based practice
You will graduate with hands-on experience that demonstrates your ability to apply theory in practice—an important consideration for future employers.
Examples of student-led projects
- Agricultural ergonomics: A student partnered with a nonprofit to develop ergonomic tools and practices for immigrant farmworkers at risk of repetitive strain injuries.
- Technology and rehabilitation: One project involved creating a virtual reality-based stroke rehabilitation program in collaboration with a health tech company.
- Mental health access: A student worked with a rural health organization to design a community mental health program that increased access to services in underserved areas.
These examples illustrate the wide range of occupational therapy capstone ideas that can be pursued and the impact students can have, even before entering the profession.
If you’re considering a doctoral program in occupational therapy, Pacific’s OTD capstone experience offers a practical, community-oriented path to developing as a healthcare professional. To learn more about the program, visit Pacific’s OTD program website or contact otprogram@pacific.edu.
