Committee Chair

Crawford, Elizabeth K.

Committee Member

Rausch, David W.; Taylor, Jessica; Cruz, Elicia

Department

Dept. of Applied Leadership and Learning

College

College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the doctoral capstone as a high-impact practice in occupational therapy education. By analyzing the perceptions of Occupational Therapy Doctorate graduates, site mentors, and faculty mentors, using the eight key indicators of a high-impact practice the researcher sought to understand the value and impact of the doctoral capstone experience. A single case study design was used to survey graduates, faculty mentors, and site mentors who participated in the doctoral capstone from 2017-2024. Using a generic qualitative research approach to investigate the research questions, the researcher utilized both survey questionnaire data and interview data to further evaluate the doctoral capstone as a high-impact practice. Quantitative data were used to analyze the relationship between doctoral capstone emphasis and non-traditional employment. Results indicate that graduates, faculty, and site mentors perceive the doctoral capstone as a high-impact practice. While findings did not reveal a significant correlation between the capstone area of emphasis and non-traditional employment, results highlight how the doctoral capstone continues to address a critical need within the profession by broadening the understanding and application of occupational therapy in non-traditional settings, ultimately extending the reach and impact of the profession.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my coworkers for their support, encouragement, and camaraderie throughout this journey. Your collaboration and teamwork have made this experience both enjoyable and enriching. I am particularly thankful to my faculty committee, Dr. Crawford, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Rausch, and Dr. Elicia Cruz, for their guidance, expertise, and constructive feedback. Your insights have been invaluable in shaping my research and helping me keep my sanity over the past six years. I also extend my appreciation to all the participants in this study. Your willingness to share your experiences and insights has contributed considerably to the depth of this work. Thank you all for being an integral part of this journey.

Degree

Ph. D.; A dissertation submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Date

5-2025

Subject

Occupational therapists--Education (Graduate)--United States; Occupational therapy--Study and teaching (Graduate)--United States; Universities and colleges--Graduate work

Keyword

occupational therapy, doctoral capstone, high-impact practice, occupational therapy doctorate

Document Type

Doctoral dissertations

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

x, 114 leaves

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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