The Occupational Therapy Doctoral program began in 2015 with the first class graduating in August 2018. Students in the OTD program receive expert instruction and a broad range of field experience to properly prepare them for the national certification exam. This capstone project is the culmination of the doctoral program.
The OTD program maintains accreditation through ACOTE, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
Capstones from 2025
Care for the Carer: A Program for Caregivers & Their Loved One, Luke Allen
Utilizing Animal-Assisted Therapy to Address Pyschosocial Implications of the Geriatric Population in a Residential Facility, Blaire Kennon Bassham
Bridging The Gap Between Occupational Therapy & Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), Aspen Campbell Smith
Tackling Concussions: Occupational Therapy’s Role in Concussion Care, Skylar Campbell Wilkins
Advancing Postpartum Mental Health Services at White River Health, Hannah Crowl
Occupation-Based Hand Therapy Protocols Program, Logan Gilbertson
Structured Physical Activity in a Preschool, Rachel Heard
Reaching for More: Advancing Holistic OT in an Outpatient Therapy Facility, Libby Hembrey
Wildly Inclusive: A Sensory Inclusive Initiative at the Memphis Zoo, Brianna Jernigan
Enhancing Accessibility Awareness in Arkansas State Parks, Kathryn Jones
Impaired Mental Health in Adolescents: Socioeconomically Challenged Geographic Locations, Brittany E. Kunkel
RoadWell: An Occupational Therapy-Based Telehealth Platform to Improve Wellness Among Over-the-Road Truck Drivers, Phylecia G. Mason
Occupational Therapy’s Role in Farm-Based Therapy, Casey McNair
Restoring Connection: Promoting Social Participation & Mental Wellness in a Rural Assisted Living Facility, Madison Rogo
Rooted in Play: Empowering Development Through Nature-Based Occupational Therapy, Nicole Roper
More than a Crown: Creating Leaders and Connecting Communities, Grace Addison Ross
Occupational Therapy for Older Adults Grieving Non-Death Loss, Zoe Sloas
Bridge & Bloom: Empowering Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Through Activities Day Camp, Peyton Summers
Fostering Holistic Practice in the Outpatient Setting with Upper Extremity Impairment, Montanna Tapper
Bridging Theory and Practice: Aquatic Occupational Therapy for Functional Rehabilitation in Parkinson’s Disease, Chelsea L. Tate
Capstones from 2024
Occupational Therapy’s Role in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Promoting Occupational Participation and Well-being, Kallie Alexander
Lets Get Connected: Promotion of Technology and Social Interaction for Older Adults, Sarah Brown
Enhancing Adaptive Recreation, Abby Bruff
Decreasing Work-Related Injuries Among Working Adults in Labor Intensive Fields, Calin Clark
Enhancing Resources for Individuals Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in Northeast Arkansas, Tinsley Clark
Occupational Therapy and Accessible Air Travel, Katie Cunningham
Nature-Based Occupational Therapy: Promoting Functional Skill Development in Children, Darcie Gibson
Forming the Foundation for Success in Occupational Therapy Doctorate Students, Danielle Harris
A Respite Care Program for Caregivers of Children with Disabilities, Abby Kincade
Improving Health, Well-Being, and Quality of Life of Older Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease Residing in Assisted Living Facilities, Allison Landreth
Farm Chores for Life Skills: A Farm Based Therapy Program, Katelyn Murphy
Back to the Basics: Integrating Biomechanical Frame of Reference into the Arkansas State University OTD Curriculum, Krysta Nash
Enhancing Rehabilitative Services for the Spinal Cord Injury Population in Northeast Arkansas, Emily Nichols
Promoting Workplace Safety within an Industrial Setting, Jordan Profit
Promoting an Inclusive Learning Environment for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at Childcare Centers, Mehak "Mickey" Rajani
Improving Postpartum Care Through Occupational Therapy, Madison Savage
Bucks for Better Mental Health: Supporting Community College Students, Ansley Simmons
Aging in Place Safely: The Impact of Home Modifications, Noel Walters
Identifying Barriers to Successful Transition for Foster Adolescents to Adulthood, Madi Wood
Capstones from 2023
Mental Health Educational Program for Law Enforcement Officers, Elizabeth Allen
Health Management Program for Homeless Veterans, Rileigh Smith Daniels
Effectiveness of Life Skills Training to Increase Self-Sufficiency in Individuals with Substance Abuse: A Research Study, Shayla Dickson
Serving Victims of Human Trafficking in Northeast Arkansas, Chasity Garrett
Creating an Occupational Therapy Based Preschool Curriculum, Taelor Gartman
Increasing Health and Wellness for Low Socioeconomic Status Children at the Bryant Boys and Girls Club, Bethany D. Hutchinson
Sensory Integration in the Classroom: Meeting Children’s Needs through Educational Programming for Teachers, Hannah Irvin
Development of Life Skills Training Modules for Adolescents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Nicole Jones
Implications of Pelvic Floor Health for Postpartum Women within a CrossFit Setting, Chamy D. Keough
Nurturing Neonates: Navigating the NICU, Paige Lunceford
Sensory Integrative Occupation-Based Programming for Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) Summer Camp, Rebecca McCarron-Coggin
Developing Activities that Promote Social Participation for Dementia Residents Residing in Assisted Living Facilities, Rebecca Northcutt
Informed Women: Addressing the Education Needs of Women in the Perinatal Period, Allison Claire Shirley House
Self-Management Program for Homeless Veterans, Sydney Sims
Suicide Prevention in the Adolescent and Young Adult Population, Marlee June Stepp
Educating Healthcare Professionals on Burnout Risk Factors, Effects, & Interventions, Rian Thomas
LEAP 2.0: Theatre as a Therapeutic Modality for Adults with Special Needs, Sydnie Walker
Developing Meaningful Leisure Activities for Residents in an Assisted-Living Facility, Mabry Watson
Advocating for the Implementation of Interprofessional Collaboration in a Pediatric Private Practice, Morgan Weaver Gilbert
Improving Health Outcomes of Families: An Agency-Wide Database to Support Parental Education, Savannah Williams
Leaders Create Leaders: A Transformational Perspective, Kyra Wright
Capstones from 2022
Development of the Sexual Spring Planning Manual, Hannah Belle Aldridge
Incorporating an Occupational Balance Component into a community Physical Education in the Park Youth Program, Chineche Lilian Aniemena
Enhancing Ergonomics and Personal Safety within the Farming Profession, Savannah Hooper
Development of a Vocational Skills Program for an Adult Day Treatment Center, Faith Jones
Serve Those Who Served Us: Life Skills Program Development to Decrease Homelessness in the Veteran Population, Hannah Hale Malone
Starting with The Soil: An Occupation-Based Agricultural Frame of Reference, Sadie Beth Masterson
Upper Limb Differences Theory: Achieving Occupational Independence, Elisabeth Carrice McDaniel
The Daily Mom: A Public Platform to Enhance Occupational Therapy’s Role and Scope in Supporting Maternal Role Transition, Ashlen McRae
Development of a Animal Assisted Therapy Intervention Manual and Screening Tool for the Pediatric Population, Moira O'Keefe
Making the Most Out of Mealtime, Melodie Palmer Penn
Health Promotion and Injury Prevention at Nucor Steel Memphis, Inc., Andrew W. Pratt
Improving Participation in Therapy Sessions when Adults with Physical Impairments Play Video Games, Lorna Leigh Rogers
Sensory Strategies: Incorporating Sensory Components Into Connected Foster Care’s Visitation Center, Olivia Stanton
OT in the PICU: Early Mobility and Parent Occupational Engagement in Medically-Fragile Pediatric Patients, Allison Tackett
Sidewalks: Environmental Facilitators to Promote Older Adult Community Participation, Hailey Godfrey Thomas
Merging the Gap: Human Trafficking Module and Value-Based Assessment Tool for Health Care Professionals in Northeast Arkansas, Jessica Towell
Development of an Occupational Therapy Activity Program in Hospice: Making the Days Count, Lauren Walker
Program Development: An Adaptive Sports Program for Children with Disabilities to Promote Occupational Engagement, Haylee Whitehurst
Katz of All Kinds Inclusive Playground: A Funding and Inclusive Playground Guide for Melbourne School District, Kennedi Wiles-Blankenship
