Occupational Therapy Doctorate
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DOCTORATE
RU’s occupational therapy doctorate program helps you contribute to the health and wellness of your community.
Earn an Occupational Therapy Doctorate at RU
Rockhurst University is pleased to announce that applications will be accepted through May 15, 2025, for the Summer 2025 start.
Contribute to your community’s health and wellness by earning a Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree from Rockhurst University. Our OT program creates an atmosphere that is friendly, challenging, interactive, and diverse. The comprehensive occupational therapy doctorate curriculum is presented in an educational climate that mimics real-world therapy practices.
As an occupational therapist, you’ll enable people of all ages to live life to the fullest. Within our program, you’ll have opportunities to conduct research under the guidance of a mentor, present findings at state and national conferences, and help lead student-run community clinics.
About the Rockhurst OT Degree Program
A PURPOSEFUL CAREER
What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?
Here, it’s about more than earning a degree. It’s about preparing you to become an ethical practitioner and a thoughtful leader in occupational therapy. It’s a chance to challenge yourself, interact in a diverse environment and serve others.
You could become an occupational therapist, providing therapy to injured, ill or disabled individuals in facilities both large and small. Become a clinician in an emerging and exciting area, an administrator within a health system, a leader of public policy, a researcher for better solutions, an instructor to continue your impact, and so much more.
PROVEN ROI
Occupational Therapy Salary
- The median annual salary for an occupational therapist in Missouri is $91,068 and is $95,560 nationwide, according to salary.com.
- Rockhurst University's occupational therapy major consistently produces high graduation rates.
- Nearly 100% of our program grads have OT jobs within six months of graduation.
With Rockhurst's 2.5-year curriculum, our occupational therapy graduate program gets graduates into the job market as soon as they're ready.
Rockhurst OT Professionals Share Their Stories
Rockhurst University occupational therapy graduates talk about their day-to-day job responsibilities, how they became occupational therapists, why they chose Rockhurst's OT program, and what, in their experience, makes Rockhurst ODT students different than others in their respective workplaces.
Why the Rockhurst Occupational Therapy Doctorate?
World-Class Faculty
Our professors give specialized attention to all students and have experience in pediatrics, hand therapy, adult rehabilitation, neurorehabilitation, mental health, geriatrics, assistive technology, community practice, and research.
Experience Jesuit Values
Students gain real-world clinical skills and enhance ethical development by participating in service-learning and authentic, practical opportunities in the community. Our Jesuit foundation makes Rockhurst a unique choice in the occupational therapy school landscape.
Gain Practical Experience Through Service Learning Already Integrated into the Curriculum
Throughout the program, you'll participate in service-learning related to OT and have the opportunity to engage in numerous local and international service opportunities.
Do Meaningful Research
Rockhurst occupational therapy students conduct research under the guidance of a mentor and present their findings at state and national conferences.
Enhance Leadership Skills
Students develop leadership skills as they provide services alongside community partners, collaborate with other healthcare disciplines, and participate in departmental and university committees.
Work in Innovative Spaces
Help run constraint-induced movement therapy camps for children with disabilities, modify and adapt toys for children with special needs, and educate clients on assistive technology on RU’s campus.
OT Students Help Develop Adaptive Soccer Program for Special Needs Kids
Rockhurst University Doctor of Occupational Therapy students have been integral in the launch and success of Kansas City Scott Gallagher Soccer Club's S.T.A.R.S. program. STARS stands for Success Through Adaptive Reactional Soccer and was founded by Rockhurst OT alumna Jessica Lamb, herself the mother of a child with Autism. Rockhurst OT students serve as assistant coaches, helping create activities and working with the players to help them thrive in practices and games. The experience serves as practical work in pediatrics for OT students, who are able to contribute to the community while preparing for their careers.
OTD PROGRAM POINTS OF ACCEPTANCE
Apply for the OT program at a point that works best for you.
Freshman Direct Entry
A program for exceptional students. Admission is based on their high school GPA and, if submitted with the application for admission, ACT or SAT scores. More information is available here. Apply here.
Regular Admittance
Apply during your final year of undergraduate work. Post-baccalaureate students can apply the summer prior to the selection of a new class.
OT Scholars Program
An advanced admission program for outstanding current RU students. To begin the process, please contact the Graduate OT admissions office at graduate@rockhurst.edu.
Transfer Admission
Transfer students are encouraged to apply for admission, which is based on their college GPA.
Saint Luke's College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Exam Pass Rates
Rockhurst OT graduates consistently have a high success rate in passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam.
For most recent pass rates for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam, please visit NBCOT.org.
NBCOT, National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
One Bank Street Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Phone: 301-990-7979
Accreditation
Rockhurst’s entry-level Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Program is fully 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.
Faculty Certifications
Collectively, RU OT faculty has the following certifications:
Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) Certification, Certified Hand Therapy (CHT), Certified Physical Agent Modalities (CPAM), Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) Certification, Fieldwork Education Certification, LSVT Big Certification, Advanced Pediatric Practice Certification through Texas Woman’s University.
Faculty have advanced training in areas such as assistive technology, trauma-informed care, Kinesio-taping, static and dynamic splinting, pelvic floor rehabilitation, feeding, and dysphagia care.
DUAL-DEGREES WITH A DOCTORATE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Gain a competitive edge in today’s health care industry by earning two degrees at once: an Occupational Therapy Doctorate, along with either an MBA or an MA in Organizational Leadership.
A dual-degree program offers:
- A balanced mix of OT and business classes to create a manageable course load.
- Faculty and staff who work together to support you throughout the program.
- A potential completion time of two years.
- Business classes on weeknights so they do not conflict with your daytime OT schedule.
- An opportunity to strengthen your professional readiness.
Connect With Us
The official Facebook and Twitter accounts for the Department of Occupational Therapy Education at Rockhurst University.
