Member Login
Search

TNOTA Capstone Partnership Program

In the field of occupational therapy in the United States, students complete their training through OT and OTA educational programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education [ACOTE]. For entry-level OTD students, the Doctoral Capstone, which consists of a Doctoral Capstone Experience and Capstone Project, is a major component of the curriculum. The purpose of the Doctoral Capstone is to “provide an in-depth exposure to one or more of the following areas in occupational therapy: clinical skills, research skills, administration, program development and evaluation, advocacy, education, and leadership” (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education [ACOTE], 2023, p. 42). 

As part of the mission and vision of the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association (TNOTA), TNOTA offers opportunities for students to partner with a TNOTA leader for a Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE). Students are expected to produce work that can be used by the association following the completion of the DCE as well as disseminating their work through TNOTA via webinar, in-person presentation, conference presentation, and/or newsletter article. The format of this will be mutually agreed upon by the TNOTA president, the TNOTA leader(s) serving as the Subject Matter Expert (“SME;” sometimes also called the Onsite Mentor or Onsite Advisor), and the student. A written agreement between a TNOTA representative and the student’s academic program is required prior to the start of a DCE, and the plan for a student’s DCE should be discussed with the TNOTA president prior to the start of the DCE. The timeline for this process is outlined in general terms below:

  • Step One: At least 6 months before a partnership between TNOTA and an OT program in Tennessee is established for a Capstone student placement, discussion with the TNOTA President and a program representative and/or another volunteer leader from within TNOTA will occur to establish a general plan for the collaboration. 

  • Step Two: At least 6 months prior to the start of the DCE, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU, also sometimes referred to in general terms as a contract) between the university where the student is enrolled and TNOTA should be signed by both parties with a copy uploaded into the TNOTA Capstone folder in the TNOTA Google Drive. Any other written agreements related to the partnership should also be added to that folder prior to the start of the DCE.

  • Step Three: At least 2 months prior to the start of a DCE, the Capstone student will meet with the TNOTA leader who will serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) and direct contact for the student during their tenure with TNOTA. The student and the SME will collaboratively draft goals for the outcome of the DCE outlining what the student will accomplish in the partnership with TNOTA. 

  • Step Four: The drafted goals should be shared by the student and/or the SME and discussed with the TNOTA President at least one month prior to the beginning of the DCE.

  • Step Five: The student will complete their DCE with TNOTA under the mentorship of the SME (see additional information below).

  • Step Six: At the culmination of the DCE, the student will share their work via a TNOTA-hosted webinar, in-person presentation, conference presentation, and/or newsletter article.

 

Additional information:

  • The Doctoral Capstone Experience lasts 14 weeks with the outcome goal being completion of a Capstone Project by the individual student “to demonstrate synthesis and application of knowledge gained” (ACOTE, 2023, p. 42). 

  • Each student’s work during the DCE will involve various learning activities that will help them meet their individualized learning goals related to their identified area(s) of focus.

  •  Students will also be supported by faculty from their academic program in addition to the TNOTA leader serving as Subject Matter Expert. 

  • Students will complete their Capstone Project during the DCE, but it will not be the only learning activity in which students engage during their DCE. Part of the expectation of a student completing a DCE with TNOTA is that the student will engage with at least one committee or district within the association and will attend monthly TNOTA Board meetings during the DCE. 

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. (2023). 2023 Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) Standards and Interpretive Guide. https://acoteonline.org/accreditation-explained/standards/

For more information about partnerships for completion of Capstone Experiences through TNOTA, email the TNOTA President at [email protected] with “Capstone Student” as the subject.