Designed for occupational therapists with a master's degree in any field who want to spark change as leaders, our program has a distinguished reputation. St. Catherine University provides a foundation of excellence in healthcare education that has been cultivated for more than 100 years. Our students benefit from our enduring relationships with clinical and community partners in local, national, and international settings. In addition, our network of post-professional doctor of occupational therapy alumni includes leaders at the national and international level.

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy: Post-Professional online program helps you develop advanced knowledge and skills to prepare you for the highest credential in occupational therapy. Courses in program development and evaluation, evidence-based practice, and teaching and education will prepare you for an individualized doctoral project related to your professional goals. You will benefit from the collegiality and collaboration you experience with professors and peers in the program.

Graduates will learn to:

• Advance the field through presentation of knowledge and expertise to professional and public audiences
• Advocate for policies, programs, and services across healthcare education and social service systems
• Expand professional reach by building a network of mentors and collaborators

Courses in the occupational therapy doctorate program are designed around online learning and discussion, video chats with professors and other students, and the development of a professional network for mentoring. Two on-campus experiences are required in St. Paul, MN to start and end the program. The program is open to all genders.

Format: Online

Start: Summer

Time to completion: 2 years

Credits required: 35

Tuition per credit: $760 (2024-25 rates)

Total tuition: $26,600

Rates are subject to change each June 1. Tuition and fee information

All applicants will be considered for Post-Professional OTD scholarships

Apply for financial aid

St. Catherine University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education has granted  St. Catherine University the authority to confer the degree of Doctor of Occupational Therapy for this program.