Doctor of Occupational Therapy

USM is still accepting applications for the Fall '24 cohort. Visit the USM OTD Application Center >

Promote healthier and more productive lives for all populations

OT professor and student 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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Finish in 2.5 Years

8 Semesters
107 Credits

Focus on Fieldwork

3 field placements – gain more opportunities here

Application Deadline

Priority: Dec. 31

Final Deadline: Aug. 1

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.

Commitment to Practice: Spanning clinic-situated and community-based practice contexts, USM’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program will help you prepare for professional practice that is occupation-focused, evidence-informed, and centered on the strengths, needs, and goals of the people, populations, and communities we serve.

Spaces to Learn and Grow: Our newly renovated and OTD-designated learning environment includes our “Bedside Manor” living laboratory, flexible learning spaces, technologically supported classrooms, and access to USM’s on-site human anatomy lab.

Focus on Experiential Learning: You will engage in hands-on, practical learning opportunities, including four semesters of embedded Level I Fieldwork experiences in a range of settings. Expanded Level II Fieldwork opportunities offer 28 weeks of practice-rich experiences across three separate placements, which distinguishes USM from other programs.

Dedicated Faculty Foster Success: Our enthusiastic faculty bring years of experience in clinical practice, professional leadership, community/service commitments, and scholarship to inform our discipline.

Admission Requirements

Integrated Curriculum

Cost and Financial Aid

Focus on Experiential Learning

You will engage in hands-on, practical learning opportunities, including four semesters of embedded Level I Fieldwork experiences in a range of settings. Expanded Level II Fieldwork opportunities offer 28 weeks of practice-rich experiences across three separate placements, which distinguishes USM from other programs.

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Meet the Faculty

Wendy Hildenbrand, Ph.D., MPH, OTR/L, FAOTA

Program Director and Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
Wendy.Hildenbrand@stmary.edu
913-758-6248
200 Berchmans Hall
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Julia Bacon, OTD, OTR/L, BCG, SCEM, ECHM

Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Julia.Bacon@stmary.edu
913-758-6280
Berchmans Hall
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Deanna Thorne, OTD, OTR/L

Instructor of Occupational Therapy, Doctoral Capstone Coordinator
Deanna.Thorne@stmary.edu
913-758-6301
Berchmans Hall
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Elizabeth Torres, OTD, OTR/L

Assistant Professor
Elizabeth.Torres@stmary.edu
913-758-6235
208B Berchmans Hall
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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 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. 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.