ACOTE Doctoral Capstone Standards

The doctoral capstone is an integral part of the OTD program’s curriculum design. The goal of the doctoral capstone is to provide an in-depth exposure to one or more of the following: clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development. Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy (ACOTE®, 2018)

The doctoral capstone consists of two parts:

Capstone Project
Capstone Experience

The student will complete an individual capstone project to demonstrate the synthesis and application of knowledge gained.

The student will complete an individual 14-week capstone experience that must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork, and completion of preparatory activities defined in D.1.3 below.

ID	Description
D.1.1	Ensure that the doctoral capstone is designed through collaboration with the student, a faculty member in the occupational therapy educational program who holds a doctoral degree, and an individual with documented expertise in the content area of the capstone.
D.1.2.	Document that the content expert is informed of the plan for and purpose of the doctoral capstone and has content expertise in the focus area.
D.1.3.	Document that the doctoral capstone is an integral part of the program’s curriculum design and: Reflects the mission and philosophy of the program. Contributes to the development of in-depth knowledge in the designated area of interest. Includes preparation consisting of a literature review, needs assessment, goals/objectives, and a plan to evaluate project outcomes. This must be completed prior to the commencement of the 14-week doctoral capstone experience. The doctoral capstone must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork.
D.1.4.	Document that the process for ensuring valid written agreements between the organization and the program are in effect prior to and for the duration of the capstone experience. Ensure that there is a valid plan for the individual doctoral capstone experience that, at a minimum, includes: Individualized specific doctoral capstone experience objectives Plans for evaluation, supervision, and mentoring Responsibilities of all parties The agreement must be signed by all parties.
D.1.5.	Require that the length of the doctoral capstone experience be a minimum of 14 weeks’ full-time, and a minimum of 32 hours per week. This may be completed on a part-time basis as agreed upon by the organization and must be consistent with the individualized specific objectives and capstone project. This must be equivalent in length to 14 full-time weeks of at least 32 hours per week. The program must have a mechanism to document that students meet the requirements for capstone length. Prior fieldwork or work experience may not be substituted for this doctoral capstone experience.
D.1.6.	Ensure completion and dissemination of an individual doctoral capstone project that relates to the doctoral capstone experience and demonstrates synthesis of in-depth knowledge in the focused area of study.
D.1.7.	Document a formal evaluation mechanism for objective assessment of the student’s performance during and at the completion of the doctoral capstone.