Preparing Future Occupational Therapy Leaders
Rooted in the Holy Cross mission of St. Edward’s University and housed within the School of Health Sciences, the Department of Occupational Therapy is dedicated to preparing compassionate, skilled professionals who are committed to helping individuals live more fully, independently and confidently. Through an interdisciplinary, student-centered approach, the department emphasizes evidence-based practice, human connection and the transformative impact occupational therapists can have across healthcare, community and wellness settings.
The department is also home to the newly launched entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program, designed to prepare the next generation of occupational therapy leaders and practitioners. Our OTD program has recently been granted candidacy by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Throughout the candidacy phase of our accreditation, we continue to develop plans for a dynamic, hands-on opportunity for students to pursue a career in occupational therapy. As you look for a program that’s ideal for you, we hope you’ll consider St. Edward’s.
Discover the Occupational Therapy Program at St. Edward’s University
Interested in applying to the program? We’re now accepting applications for our Fall 2026 OTD cohort.
Learn all about the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at St. Edward’s, from our admission requirements and curriculum to tuition and fees and how to apply.
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession that helps people overcome physical, cognitive or emotional challenges that hinder their everyday activities. These valued activities, referred to as “occupations,” include anything you do to live your life — from dressing, shopping, cooking and eating to playing sports, driving, using technology, gardening and more. OT professionals work with people of all ages who have injuries, illnesses or disabilities, helping them regain independence and live their best life.
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) offers comprehensive information and support for OT professionals.
Why choose a degree in occupational therapy?
If you have a passion for helping others lead more active and independent lives, occupational therapy could be an ideal fit for you. Consider these benefits.
As a profession that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others, it’s no wonder that job satisfaction is extremely high among occupational therapists. The field offers career flexibility and a professional culture that supports a healthy work-life balance.
Occupational therapy is one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare with a projected growth of 11% by 2033 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). OT professionals benefit from competitive salaries and a wide choice of career opportunities and settings.
Occupational therapy is a constantly evolving profession that’s both a science and an art. Through research, hands-on care, creativity and problem-solving, OTs design specialized treatment protocols tailored to each patient’s needs and daily activities.
Occupational therapists work with a diverse range of people, developing special relationships that strengthen over time. They get to help individuals perform tasks they struggled with before and celebrate their patients’ successes.
As a profession that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others, it’s no wonder that job satisfaction is extremely high among occupational therapists. The field offers career flexibility and a professional culture that supports a healthy work-life balance.
Occupational therapy is one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare with a projected growth of 11% by 2033 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). OT professionals benefit from competitive salaries and a wide choice of career opportunities and settings.
Occupational therapy is a constantly evolving profession that’s both a science and an art. Through research, hands-on care, creativity and problem-solving, OTs design specialized treatment protocols tailored to each patient’s needs and daily activities.
Occupational therapists work with a diverse range of people, developing special relationships that strengthen over time. They get to help individuals perform tasks they struggled with before and celebrate their patients’ successes.
Program Approval and Accreditation
Doctoral-Degree-Level Occupational Therapy Program
The St. Edward’s University entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctoral degree program has been granted candidacy 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.
The program must have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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 to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 12 weeks of Level II fieldwork and an individual 14-week capstone experience within 18 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework, Level II fieldwork and preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
Our Vision for Our OTD Program
We foresee an on-campus program that enrolls students once a year for a fall semester start. Among the things St. Edward’s University is known for — besides our beautiful campus and vibrant Austin location — are small class sizes, strong community connections, and a mission to develop ethical critical thinkers with a passion for social justice. What better place to experience an occupational therapy program?
Prerequisites
You’ll find that the majority of OT programs require most of the following prerequisites. We will likely consider these same requirements:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (with Labs)
- Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Statistics
- Medical Terminology
- A Lifespan Development course
- Additional Social Science courses
Admission and Application
We envision a holistic approach to our admission process that could include interviews. We do not anticipate a requirement for GRE or observation hours. Typically, OT programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or higher), and we will likely use this foundation as well.