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Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Graduate Entry

Graduate with an Occupational Therapy Doctorate in just 3 years!

  • Receive your Occupational Therapy Doctorate in just three years.
  • Learn from faculty with broad educational and clinical backgrounds.
  • Multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art health profession labs.
  • Learn to integrate a client-first philosophy while utilizing evidence-based practices.
  • Apply knowledge learned in the classroom to fieldwork experiences at one of our 700 active partner sites in 45 states in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, community outreach centers, or mental health treatment centers throughout the nation. 

 

College of Saint Mary is here to help you achieve your dream. The occupational therapy doctorate program at CSM prepares you to deliver services that help people improve their lives. As an occupational therapist, you will be able to help patients develop and maintain vital living and working skills. Your graduate degree from CSM will set you apart from the rest and increase your value as an employee.

To make your decision easier, we have reduced our tuition by 22%, effective August 2024. We aim to maintain competitive pricing across the region, ensuring financial constraints do not hinder your enrollment at CSM.

Degree Offered & Overview

Degree Offered & Overview

Graduate Degree Offered

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Undergraduate Pathway

Occupational Therapy Doctorate (Accelerated)

Program Details

Program Details

Start Date: August
Program Length: 3 years (8 consecutive semesters)
Class Size: 30 students max
Lab Size: 15 students max
Licensure: Upon doctoral graduation, candidates must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy certificate exam and seek state licensure in order to practice. https://www.nbcot.org/educators-folder/schoolperformance

 

In order to submit your application please follow this link to OTCAS. Once you have an account you will be able to find College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE. Follow the instructions and submit your application materials including: personal statement, resume, transcripts, and recommendation letters. Please give about 2 weeks for us to review all of your materials and remember that all communication will be conducted through the email you provide.

Faculty

Faculty

Accreditation and Licensure Information

Accreditation and Licensure Information

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. 

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3. 

Every state requires a license to practice as an occupational therapist. Minimum requirements include proof of graduating from an ACOTE-accredited program including proof of completion of fieldwork experiences, proof of passing the NBCOT  certification examination, completion of state licensure application with associated fees, and a criminal background check. Some states have additional requirements. The American Occupational Therapy Association has provided a list of all state OT Regulatory Authority Contact Information and has additional information about licensure on the OT Student Guide to Licensure page.

Career Outlook

Career Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor projects the employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. With a median annual salary of $96,370, occupational therapy is a high-demand career. After graduating from our program, you will be prepared with the knowledge and skills to establish a higher quality of living for your patients. Many of our students are offered jobs at the completion of their Level II fieldwork, or upon graduation.​

Source: U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration

Small Campus and Class Sizes Appeal to OTD Students

Jeremy chose occupational therapy for its creative aspect.

“I like being hands-on when doing things, especially when teaching patients or helping them learn new mechanisms or techniques to care for themselves or heal their bodies,” he said. “But it’s also fun when you get to add your own creative swing to things.” 

CSM professors have an open-door policy. Students can stop in if they want to talk about schoolwork or even life in general. “I think that’s a very important part, especially in grad school when your life is just books and studying all the time,” Jeremy said. “I think it’s nice to have that balance where you could easily go to someone and share a laugh or two.”

Read More About Jeremy's Experience at CSM