Occupational Therapy (Entry-Level)
With St. Catherine University's nationally ranked Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT) or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD-EL), you receive an excellent entry-level education in occupational therapy based on an occupational science and liberal arts foundation.
MAOT and OTD-EL Program Highlights
Format: Weekdays on our St. Paul, MN campus
Completion time: 2.5 years (MAOT) or 3.25 (OTD-EL)
Credits: 72 (MAOT) or 100 (OTD-EL)
Cost per credit (2021–2022): $1,132 | Full cost of attendance
Start: Summer
Many graduate students are eligible for financial aid, usually in the form of student loans, employer tuition benefits, or scholarships.
Fieldwork, Teamwork, and Experiences Abroad
The graduate OT science-based curriculum is interwoven with the University’s liberal arts education, and provides you with a foundation in four major populations and practice areas: pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, and rehabilitation. You’ll complete courses in each specialty, examine critical research, and engage in practical fieldwork to hone your ability to practice in multiple areas. Teams of students work together to problem-solve sample cases, examining how clients fit into society, what issues they have in the workplace and at home, and what funding they need.
Multicultural experiences in communities across the U.S. and abroad deepen your understanding of how culture influences healthcare delivery. Opportunities for fieldwork in diverse settings allow you to deepen your understanding of populations and cultures, and share caring strategies with health professionals here and abroad.
The OT entry-level degrees are rigorous, full-time programs. Students must plan carefully to balance the demands of graduate school with other work, family, and community obligations.
Careers in Occupational Therapy
The demand for OTs is increasing as baby boomers age and the field expands, opening up opportunities for you to practice in a variety of environments. With a graduate degree in occupational therapy from St. Kate's, you’ll possess the foundation for a meaningful career as a caring, creative, and knowledgeable professional.
Our current students and alumni are frequent presenters at professional conferences, active in occupational therapy and interdisciplinary professional associations, and sought after by employers.
MAOT and OTD-EL Plan of Study
Occupational Therapy Graduate Program Accreditation
Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy
The Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy program at St. Catherine University is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA).
On August 2, 2013, ACOTE presented a Certificate of Accreditation to the Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy program at St. Catherine University for a period of 10 years from the academic year 2012–2013 to 2022–2023.
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 in order to practice; however, the 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.
ACOTE
c/o Accreditation Department
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD, 20852-4929
Phone: 301-652-AOTA
www.aota.org
Doctor of Occupational Therapy Entry Level
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy entry level program at St. Catherine University is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA).
On December 18, 2020, ACOTE presented an initial Certificate of Accreditation to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at St. Catherine University for a period of 7 years from the academic year 2020–2021 to 2027–2028.
Graduate 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 in order to practice; however, the 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.
ACOTE
c/o Accreditation Department
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD, 20852-4929
Phone: 301-652-AOTA
www.aota.org
Learn more about accreditation and outcomes for this program