Students working on a therapy excersize involving catching a ball while on a rope swing.

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.

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St. Kate's occupational therapy department has a 70+ year history of excellence in occupational therapy education and leadership in the profession.

Three AOTA presidents were St. Kate’s alumni or university leaders, and seven of our faculty members have been recognized as AOTA Fellows.

Our occupational therapy program was ranked 17th by U.S. News and World Report in 2020, a stature competitive with programs at major research universities.

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.

Request more information about our graduate programs

St. Kate's entry-level occupational therapy students in the Mendel OT lab

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EXPLORE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

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.

Graduate OT Experiential Learning Handbook

Careers in Occupational Therapy

As an OT, your influence goes beyond rehabilitation to help people continue healthy relationships and engage in their favorite activities. You develop the capacity to understand clients holistically, as individuals who are influenced by their environment and motivated by what gives them meaning.

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.

Plan of Study

Decide to pursue your Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT) or a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD-EL).

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