Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Accelerated Admission Pathway
The OT-AEP is available for an academically qualified candidate to complete her undergraduate studies at CSM while having a distinctive link to the OTD program. The AEP will challenge the qualified student to meet progression benchmarks after each year to prepare for the OTD program while working toward any baccalaureate degree at CSM. CSM will provide an OT faculty academic advisor to guide each student in meeting progression benchmarks, in addition to the student's academic advisor from their chosen field of study. While the OT-AEP guarantees neither entrance nor completion of the OTD, students who utilize this pathway will find the mentoring and advising beneficial in preparing for the graduate-level OTD program.
The admission criterion outlines the initial admission criteria and progression benchmarks that each student must meet at each level.. AEP students may choose any major at CSM; typically, a student will select a major such as Rehabilitation Sciences, Psychology, Kinesiology, or Biology.
Plan of Study - Accelerated Pathway
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab
- Lifespan Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Statistics
- Medical Terminology
Benchmark requirements to enter OTD Program
- Completed Bachelor's degree
- Maintain minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 during undergrad coursework
- Letter of recommendation from CSM faculty
- Complete 100 service hours
- Personal essay
- Interview with OT program the before anticipated start in OTD program
- Successful completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or higher
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
For information about graduate classes, see the college graduate catalog.
Graduates of the OTD program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapist, administered by the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, you will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice. 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, attain state licensure or complete fieldwork.
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 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.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
Every state requires a license to practice as an occupational therapist. Minimum requirements include proof of graduating from an ACOTE-accredited program including proof of completion of fieldwork experiences, proof of passing the NBCOT certification examination, completion of state licensure application with associated fees, and a criminal background check. Some states have additional requirements. The American Occupational Therapy Association has provided a list of all state OT Regulatory Authority Contact Information and has additional information about licensure on the OT Student Guide to Licensure page.
Admission Requirements
First-Time/Full-Time Freshmen (High School Seniors)*
- High school cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Participation in high school extra- and co-curricular activities, service and volunteer hours, and/or clinical experiences.
Transfer Students
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Minimum prerequisite course GPA 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- A grade of C or better is required.
- Participation in extra- and co-curricular activities, medical experiences, and/or clinical experiences.
- Ability to comply with integrated pathway progression benchmarks, please see course description on following page.
Accelerated Pathway Admissions Decisions
Accelerated Pathway decisions are made by the OTD Admissions Committee and will be made based on the following:
- Past academic performance (GPA and completed courses).
- Leadership and service activities.
- Medical and/or clinical experiences (shadowing, volunteering, etc.).
- Communication and interpersonal skills
Application Process
- Apply online at CSM.edu/Apply
- Submit high school and/or college transcripts.
- Submit letter of intent: includes leadership and service activities (attach to electronic application).
- Review of application and materials by the OTD Admission Committee
- Acceptance decision by the OTD Admissions Committee
Academic Description
Occupational Therapy Doctorate
Accelerated Admission Pathway
The OT-AEP is available for an academically qualified candidate to complete her undergraduate studies at CSM while having a distinctive link to the OTD program. The AEP will challenge the qualified student to meet progression benchmarks after each year to prepare for the OTD program while working toward any baccalaureate degree at CSM. CSM will provide an OT faculty academic advisor to guide each student in meeting progression benchmarks, in addition to the student's academic advisor from their chosen field of study. While the OT-AEP guarantees neither entrance nor completion of the OTD, students who utilize this pathway will find the mentoring and advising beneficial in preparing for the graduate-level OTD program.
The admission criterion outlines the initial admission criteria and progression benchmarks that each student must meet at each level.. AEP students may choose any major at CSM; typically, a student will select a major such as Rehabilitation Sciences, Psychology, Kinesiology, or Biology.
Accreditation
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 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.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
Every state requires a license to practice as an occupational therapist. Minimum requirements include proof of graduating from an ACOTE-accredited program including proof of completion of fieldwork experiences, proof of passing the NBCOT certification examination, completion of state licensure application with associated fees, and a criminal background check. Some states have additional requirements. The American Occupational Therapy Association has provided a list of all state OT Regulatory Authority Contact Information and has additional information about licensure on the OT Student Guide to Licensure page.
Admissions Requirements
Admission Requirements
First-Time/Full-Time Freshmen (High School Seniors)*
- High school cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Participation in high school extra- and co-curricular activities, service and volunteer hours, and/or clinical experiences.
Transfer Students
- Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Minimum prerequisite course GPA 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- A grade of C or better is required.
- Participation in extra- and co-curricular activities, medical experiences, and/or clinical experiences.
- Ability to comply with integrated pathway progression benchmarks, please see course description on following page.
Accelerated Pathway Admissions Decisions
Accelerated Pathway decisions are made by the OTD Admissions Committee and will be made based on the following:
- Past academic performance (GPA and completed courses).
- Leadership and service activities.
- Medical and/or clinical experiences (shadowing, volunteering, etc.).
- Communication and interpersonal skills
Application Process
- Apply online at CSM.edu/Apply
- Submit high school and/or college transcripts.
- Submit letter of intent: includes leadership and service activities (attach to electronic application).
- Review of application and materials by the OTD Admission Committee
- Acceptance decision by the OTD Admissions Committee
Curriculum
Plan of Study - Accelerated Pathway
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab
- Lifespan Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Statistics
- Medical Terminology
Benchmark requirements to enter OTD Program
- Completed Bachelor's degree
- Maintain minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 during undergrad coursework
- Letter of recommendation from CSM faculty
- Complete 100 service hours
- Personal essay
- Interview with OT program the before anticipated start in OTD program
- Successful completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or higher
Degree Requirements
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
For information about graduate classes, see the college graduate catalog.
Graduates of the OTD program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapist, administered by the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, you will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice. 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, attain state licensure or complete fieldwork.
