Building the future of occupational therapy: St. Scholastica’s new Doctor of Occupational Therapy

The landscape of occupational therapy is evolving, and The College of St. Scholastica is at the forefront of this transformation with the introduction of its entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. The doctoral program emphasizes leadership, advocacy, program development and policy-making through an immersive capstone project and educational experiences.

“The launch of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program marks a pivotal step forward in occupational therapy entry-level education. The OTD is leading the way for the future of occupational therapy by providing opportunities for graduates to lead, innovate and advocate in traditional and emerging areas of practice,” said Dr. Kelly Erickson, department chair for Occupational Therapy.

“This initiative also represents an advancement in the College’s health profession offerings. Through this program, our graduates will be innovative occupational therapists who will shape the future of the field both regionally and nationally.”

Empowering lives, restoring independence

Occupational therapists play a vital role in facilitating participation in meaningful life roles and occupations (daily activities). With the launch of the OTD program, students have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills with invaluable interprofessional education experiences at the student-run maurices Community Clinic. Additionally, the OTD program goes beyond traditional training and focuses on an engaging capstone project to deepen the knowledge and skills in a specialized area of interest.

St. Scholastica’s OTD program highlights the importance of developing well-rounded practitioner scholars adept at providing evidence-based occupational therapy. Graduates will be equipped for a variety of career experiences in clinical, community, education and government settings, as well as new and innovative emerging practice areas.

Key differences between the programs

While St. Scholastica has long offered a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy (MSOT), the new OTD program presents several key advantages for those seeking a more expansive career trajectory. Both programs’ didactic portions occur at The College of St. Scholastica Health Science Center.

Duration and depth of study

The OTD program spans eight semesters, or 2.8 years, and incorporates advanced coursework in research methodology, leadership, program development and evaluation. In contrast, the MSOT program takes six semesters (2 years) to complete, offering a faster pathway to entry-level practice.

Enhanced focus on leadership and specialization

The doctoral program emphasizes leadership, advocacy and policy-making, allowing graduates to step into influential roles that develop and expand the scope of the occupational therapy profession. On the other hand, the MSOT is designed for those aiming for a faster path into practice without the additional focus and time in a capstone project or experience.

Capstone experience

A hallmark of the OTD program is the individualized capstone project and experience, which contributes to the occupational therapy profession through deliverables such as a new program, research, an advocacy campaign, educational modules and materials. Students are mentored by an expert in their area of interest during the capstone experience, which may take place in a variety of settings. The MSOT program provides essential fieldwork and evidence-based projects, however does not have a capstone requirement.

A significant step forward in occupational therapy education

The entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at The College of St. Scholastica represents a significant step forward in occupational therapy education. By offering a choice between the MSOT and OTD, the College is committed to fostering the next generation of occupational therapy leaders, innovators and advocates. For further information about the program, including its accreditation status, visit the program page.

Applications for the OTD program open in July 2025 for the inaugural June 2026 program start. To learn more about the application process and schedule, visit the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) website.