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. OT-AEP students could be qualified to join the OTD after successful completion of at least 72 collegiate credit hours, but completion of a bachelor's degree before the OTD is recommended. 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. In addition, there is a sample plan of study to summarize what courses a student would take in this pathway. 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
Year 1: First Semester
Total Credit Hours: 16
- Introduction to Sociology (3 credit hours)
- First Year Seminar (1 credit hours)
- *Intermediate Algebra (3 credit hours)
- English Composition (3 credit hours)
- Any Art, Music or Theater (3 credit hours)
- Major Course - Depending on your major or supporting courses(3 credit hours)
Year 1: Second Semester
Total Credit Hours: 12-16
- General Psychology (3 credit hours)
- Oral Communication Skills/Public Speaking (3 credit hours)
- English - Except for ENG 262, 32, 322 & 495 (3 credit hours)
- Major Course - Depending on major or supporting courses (3-6 credit hours)
Year 2: First Semester
Total Credit Hours: 16-17
- Major Course - Depending on major or supporting courses (3 credit hours)
- History - Any History (3 credit hours)
- Moral Reasoning (3 credit hours)
- Lifespan Development (3 credit hours)
- Chemistry (Lecture and Lab - Recitation is recommend +1 hour) (4-5 credit hours)
Year 2: Second Semester
Total Credit Hours: 15-18
- Major Course - Depending on major or supporting courses (3-6 credit hours)
- Statistics (3 credit hours)
- Any Theology (3 credit hour)
- Global Culture and Diversity or Experience of the Liberal Arts (3 credit hours)
- Abnormal Psychology (3 credit hours)
Year 3: First Semester
Total Credit Hours: 13-16
- Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credit hours)
- Anatomy & Physiology I Lab (3 credit hours)
- Research Methods (4 credit hour)
- Major Course - Depending on major or supporting courses (6-9 credit hours)
Year 3: Second Semester
Total Credit Hours: 14-18
- Anatomy & Physiology II (5 credit hours)
- Anatomy & Physiology II Lab (3 credit hours)
- Medical Terminology (1-2 credit hours)
- Major Course - Depending on major or supporting courses (6-9 credit hours)
- Theology (3 credit hours)
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
For information about graduate classes, see the college graduate catalog.
Graduates of the 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 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 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)*
- ACT ≥ 23 and a math subscore ≥ 23 or SAT equivalent.
- 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 on all courses 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).
- Documented academic aptitude (ACT/SAT or collegiate GPA if more than 12 credit hours of collegiate work has been completed).
- Leadership and service activities.
- Medical and/or clinical experiences (shadowing, volunteering, etc.).
- Recommendations from qualified individuals with knowledge of the applicant’s character and performance.
- Communication and interpersonal skills (via essay, interview and review of letters of reference).
Application Process
- Apply online at CSM.edu/Apply
- Submit high school and/or college transcripts.
- Submit names, phone numbers and email addresses of three references.
- Submit letter of intent: includes leadership and service activities (attach to electronic application).
- Review of application and materials by the OTD Admission Committee
- If selected, participate in an on-campus interview with the OTD Admissions Committee.
- Acceptance decision by the OTD Admissions Committee following a complete application and interview.
Application Deadline
Complete files are prepared for review by the OTD Admissions Committee and students will be notified of their interview status.
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. OT-AEP students could be qualified to join the OTD after successful completion of at least 72 collegiate credit hours, but completion of a bachelor's degree before the OTD is recommended. 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. In addition, there is a sample plan of study to summarize what courses a student would take in this pathway. 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 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 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)*
- ACT ≥ 23 and a math subscore ≥ 23 or SAT equivalent.
- 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 on all courses 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).
- Documented academic aptitude (ACT/SAT or collegiate GPA if more than 12 credit hours of collegiate work has been completed).
- Leadership and service activities.
- Medical and/or clinical experiences (shadowing, volunteering, etc.).
- Recommendations from qualified individuals with knowledge of the applicant’s character and performance.
- Communication and interpersonal skills (via essay, interview and review of letters of reference).
Application Process
- Apply online at CSM.edu/Apply
- Submit high school and/or college transcripts.
- Submit names, phone numbers and email addresses of three references.
- Submit letter of intent: includes leadership and service activities (attach to electronic application).
- Review of application and materials by the OTD Admission Committee
- If selected, participate in an on-campus interview with the OTD Admissions Committee.
- Acceptance decision by the OTD Admissions Committee following a complete application and interview.
Application Deadline
Complete files are prepared for review by the OTD Admissions Committee and students will be notified of their interview status.
Curriculum
Plan of Study - Accelerated Pathway
Year 1: First Semester
Total Credit Hours: 16
- Introduction to Sociology (3 credit hours)
- First Year Seminar (1 credit hours)
- *Intermediate Algebra (3 credit hours)
- English Composition (3 credit hours)
- Any Art, Music or Theater (3 credit hours)
- Major Course - Depending on your major or supporting courses(3 credit hours)
Year 1: Second Semester
Total Credit Hours: 12-16
- General Psychology (3 credit hours)
- Oral Communication Skills/Public Speaking (3 credit hours)
- English - Except for ENG 262, 32, 322 & 495 (3 credit hours)
- Major Course - Depending on major or supporting courses (3-6 credit hours)
Year 2: First Semester
Total Credit Hours: 16-17
- Major Course - Depending on major or supporting courses (3 credit hours)
- History - Any History (3 credit hours)
- Moral Reasoning (3 credit hours)
- Lifespan Development (3 credit hours)
- Chemistry (Lecture and Lab - Recitation is recommend +1 hour) (4-5 credit hours)
Year 2: Second Semester
Total Credit Hours: 15-18
- Major Course - Depending on major or supporting courses (3-6 credit hours)
- Statistics (3 credit hours)
- Any Theology (3 credit hour)
- Global Culture and Diversity or Experience of the Liberal Arts (3 credit hours)
- Abnormal Psychology (3 credit hours)
Year 3: First Semester
Total Credit Hours: 13-16
- Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credit hours)
- Anatomy & Physiology I Lab (3 credit hours)
- Research Methods (4 credit hour)
- Major Course - Depending on major or supporting courses (6-9 credit hours)
Year 3: Second Semester
Total Credit Hours: 14-18
- Anatomy & Physiology II (5 credit hours)
- Anatomy & Physiology II Lab (3 credit hours)
- Medical Terminology (1-2 credit hours)
- Major Course - Depending on major or supporting courses (6-9 credit hours)
- Theology (3 credit hours)
Degree Requirements
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
For information about graduate classes, see the college graduate catalog.
Graduates of the 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.
