Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Promote healthier and more productive lives for all populations

The University of Saint Mary (USM) Doctor of Occupational Therapy program prepares students for autonomous practice as entry-level occupational therapists. In keeping with the spirit of our founders – the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth – USM is committed to helping students realize their God-given potential and inspiring them to strive for academic excellence in coursework and in practice.

We value community, respect, justice, and excellence. These fundamental principles shape our students' professional lives and help them meet the needs of individuals, populations, and communities.

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Why Study Occupational Therapy at the University of Saint Mary?

USM has been recognized for its excellence in health care education. Our recently launched Doctor of Occupational Therapy program was built from the ground up. Our newly renovated and OTD-designated learning environment includes our “Bedside Manor” living laboratory, experiential learning spaces, and technologically supported classrooms.

Our dedicated faculty designed the program with your student experience and learning opportunities in mind. We offer expanded fieldwork opportunities and committed community partners. Our small faculty-to-student ratio fosters academic success through individualized support, advising, and mentorship.

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Program Mission

To provide exemplary education to develop our students’ God-given potential as they become occupational therapy professionals ready to meet the occupational needs of the global society.

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Philosophy & Values

The program embraces the core values of the university, as well as the profession of occupational therapy. Saint Mary works to develop each of the following core values in OTD students:

• Community
• Justice
• Respect
• Dignity
• Equality
• Freedom
• Excellence
• Altruism
• Truth
• Prudence

These values will ultimately shape our students' professional lives as practitioners, helping them meet the needs of their patients in the fullest ways possible.

The OTD program is in-step with the larger mission of the university: training students to serve others, developing God-given potential, and guiding students to create value-centered careers and lives.

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Meet the Faculty

Occupational Therapy Program Accreditation

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 in order 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.