Pinterest - Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Top 10 Things to Look for in an Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program

1. Length of Degree

At College of Saint Mary, you can choose from 2 pathways:

• Graduate Entry only 3 years, and you will receive your doctoral degree (for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree).
   
• Accelerated Entry is for those who do not have a bachelor’s degree. This program takes 6 years to complete, and you receive both your bachelor's and doctoral degrees.

2. GRE & Cost

CSM does NOT require the GRE for acceptance. The  OTD Graduate Pathway cost is $14,375 per semester (class of 2022 cohort, per semester).

3. Cohort Size

Join a cohort of talented professionals that will learn along with you. CSM has a maximum cohort size of 60 students per year. 

4. Clinical Experience / Partner Sites

Apply knowledge learned in the classroom to fieldwork experiences at one of our 225+ active partner sites in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, community outreach centers, or mental health treatment centers throughout the nation. As a student, you will complete two 12-week fieldwork experiences along with a 14-week doctoral experience that culminates in a scholarly project.

5. Professors & Specialties

Learn from nationally recognized, award-winning faculty who are focused on your success. CSM faculty have backgrounds in gerontology, mental health, pediatrics, physical rehabilitation, and so many more! We also have faculty with certifications in lymphedema, hand and upper extremity therapy, and feeding, eating and swallowing.

6. OTD Academic Advisor

As an OTD student, you will be assigned an academic advisor, one of our occupational therapist faculty members. With an open-door policy, our faculty are here for you. They will be a resource as you work on your research, help you assess your academic progress, explore new areas of the profession and find your own path in becoming an OT!

7. Labs

Gain hands-on experience in our multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art OT specialty labs, including pediatric and home health.

8. Graduation Rates / Pass Rates

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapists, administered by the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). The total number of College of Saint Mary Master of Occupational Therapy graduates who passed the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certificate exam in 2019 was 42 out of 42 graduates for an overall pass rate of 100 percent.

9. Location

College of Saint Mary is located in the heart of Omaha, Nebraska, a thriving four-season city on the Missouri River. From one of the most-visited zoos in the world to a world-class performing arts center and the NCAA Men’s College World Series, Omaha offers something for everyone! The active campus community is set in Aksarben Village, a community hub booming with boutiques, a theater and health club, hotels, pizza, pub, and Thai restaurants and an outdoor amphitheater that features live concerts.

10. Diverse Student Population

CSM OTD students are from 21 states and all ethnic backgrounds. Join CSM's cohort and make your mark!