Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

College of Health and Human Services

The University began offering entry-level occupational therapy education in 1989, and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is the first accredited entry-level doctoral program in Iowa. The curriculum emphasizes occupational justice and participation in occupation for people of all ages and abilities. Students learn in an interactive, innovative hybrid delivery model with two years of online and campus courses. Students participate in on-campus courses at St. Ambrose University's main campus in Davenport or at Loras College in Dubuque. The third year of the program occurs at a variety of field site placements. The OTD program also offers outreach services at no cost to clients and health care professionals through Jim’s Place, a home demonstration center highlighting innovative, independent living solutions.

OTD Mission Statement

The OTD Program promotes a community of learners that develop into ethical health professionals committed to lifelong learning and service. We empower individuals to act courageously, seek wisdom, and promote justice while enhancing occupational engagement, professionalism, and evidence-based reasoning in a diverse society.

Estimated Costs¹

Tuition

Students should contact the OTD Program directly for information about the One Price Tuition Plan Rate.

Application Costs

Fees may vary. Check website for most accurate fees.         

• OTCAS Application fee $172
• Acceptance fee $200

Additional Costs

• Textbooks (including AOTA Membership) $1100-1250
• Fieldwork Medical/Site Requirements $350
• Certification Exam Preparation & Registration $500-800

¹

Costs listed above are for 2026-2027 and are subject to change. Students seeking admission at a later date should check with the program director for exact current costs.

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Curriculum

Admission Process/Requirements Pathways

Automatic, Conditional Admission for First-Year Students

Incoming first year students who intend to pursue an OTD may request automatic, conditional admission into the OTD program if they meet the high school requirements listed below. Students may also request automatic, conditional admission during their first-year in the program if they meet the first year student requirements listed below.

High School Admission Requirements

• Earn an unweighted high school GPA of 3.2 or higher
• Complete 20 hours of observation with an OT in at least 2 settings
• Prepare a personal statement describing interest in OT
• Submit all required materials by June 1

First Year Admission Requirements

• Attain a 3.0 cumulative GPA by the end of second and maintain it throughout undergraduate studies
• Complete 20 hours of observation with an OT in 2 or more settings
• Prepare a personal statement describing interest in OT
• Submit all required materials by June 1

Once admitted, all students must continue to meet the college requirements listed below to remain qualified for conditional admission. They may begin the OTD program as early as their senior year if all of their prerequisites, general education requirements, and major requirements are complete by the end of their junior year.

College Requirements

• Complete 10+ hours of service each year
• Complete undergraduate coursework with a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Note: All coursework, including college courses completed at other institutions will be included in cumulative GPA calculations.
• Complete all prerequisite coursework with a C or higher and maintain a 3.0 prerequisite GPA
• Actively participate in regular advising visits
• Participation in Pre-OT Club is required as part of ACA acceptance for both high school and first-year students.

Admissions for Students Applying as Juniors or Seniors, or Graduates

Students may apply as early as their junior year and begin the OTD program in their senior year. To be eligible to begin the program as an undergraduate student with senior status, all general education and baccalaureate degree requirements must be completed and all admission criteria met before beginning the OTD courses. (OTD course in the first year count as electives toward the baccalaureate degree).

Admissions Prerequisites for All Applicants

The following pre-requisite coursework must be completed with a grade of C or higher and with a combined GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale). Pre-requisite grades must be available at the time of application (except where indicated with ¹).

¹

Pre-requisite grades do not need to be available at the time of application.

• OTCAS Application Required: Application fee is required. Application assistance is available from Customer Service at otcasinfo@otcas.org.

Submit a complete OTCAS application to the St. Ambrose OTD program using the OTCAS website: www.otcas.org.

The OTCAS application includes:

1. A personal statement
2. References: three letters of reference (one from an OT)

• Observation Hours:
  1. Submit documentation on official letterhead or by direct email form a registered OT, of 20 hours of OT volunteer experience completed in at least two settings within the last 5 years. Applicants may receive some credit from employment in an occupational therapy setting with approval form the OTD program.
  2. Application process assistance is available from Customer Service at otcasinfo@otcas.org.
• Admissions Deadlines: Applications are accepted annually upon the opening of the OTCAS cycle (usually in July) until the class is filled. Applicants must submit a complete application and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative and pre-requisite GPA.
• Interview: Prospective students may be selected for professional interviews that focus on academic, personal and professional preparedness for graduate studies. During the interview, selected applicants will be required to discuss the the personal statement they submitted.
• SAU Applicants: Guaranteed interview for SAU degree seeking students and alumni the first time they apply. Additional points awarded to SAU degree seeking students or alumni in ranking process (.5 per semester).
• Students will be notified of their admission status in writing and must submit an acceptance confirmation and a $200 nonrefundable acceptance fee.

OTD Grading Policy 

Minimum Acceptable GPA

If the student drops below a 3.0 cumulative professional coursework GPA, the student will receive written notice from the OT department. The student will be placed on academic probation.

Academic Performance

1. If a student earns a “C” in any professional OT course, the student will be required to meet with their advisor to construct a remediation plan regardless of their GPA standing.
2. If the student earns a grade lower than a “C” in any of the professional OT coursework, the student must re-take the course(s) and earn a grade of “C” or higher to progress in the OT program, provided that the student maintains a minimum GPA of 3.0 of higher. The student is allowed to re-take a course within the OTD curriculum one time.

Academic Probation

When a student is placed on academic probation, they have two options:

1. The student has one semester to bring their cumulative professional coursework GPA up to a minimum 3.0. If the student fails to do this, the student will be dropped from the program.
2. The student can elect to re-take coursework for a second grade option to bring their cumulative professional coursework GPA up to a minimum 3.0. The student may not be enrolled in any professional OT courses until the second attempt has been successfully completed.

Progression and Retention

1. Students may also be placed on probation for not meeting professional behavior expectations or for excessive absences from the OTD classes.
2. Dismissal from the University, for any reason, will automatically result in dismissal from the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program.

Appeal Procedures for Admission, Progression & Retention/Readmission

Students have the right to appeal decisions related to admissions, progression, or retention to the Admissions and/or Retention Committees. All questions or concerns related to Admission and Retention Committee decisions will follow this policy.

Procedures

1. In the event of an adverse Admissions Committee decision or Retention Committee action, the student will be reminded of the appeal process and their options within the process.
2. The student’s request for appeal must be made in writing to the chair of the Admissions Committee if in regards to an admissions decision or to the chair of the Retention Committee if in regards to a progression or retention issue.
   1. The student must appeal decisions of the Admissions or Retention Committee by submitting written reasons for challenging the Committee’s Decision by the appeal date set by the Committee.
   2. The appeal request must be within one week of being notified of his/her status in the Occupational Therapy Program and the original decision in question.
3. Admission Committee or Retention Committee Members and Meeting Participants:
   1. Student Requesting Appeal: The student may attend the appeal meeting for the portion during which their challenge is read and may be asked to supply additional information orally. The student may have a support person involved in the meeting.
   2. Faculty Members: The chair of the committee will facilitate the meeting. The student’s advisor, the instructor involved (if applicable), and at least one or more other uninvolved OTD faculty member will also be present. This is to ensure that there are sufficient members of the committee to assist in information gathering and student support.
   3. A student member of the OTD Committee will also participate in the Retention Committee during any formal appeal process.
   4. Student and faculty members who have direct involvement in the case and who feel they are unable to act in good faith will excuse themselves from the appeals process. In those instances, alternate committee members will serve on these committees.
   5. An odd number of decision making members will be maintained when the committee is drawn together.
4. The decision of the Committee will be made by majority vote based on a written ballot of those Committee members present. The ballots are secret and only the chair of the committee will view the ballots.
5. The student will be verbally informed of the final decision to uphold or overturn the original Admission or Retention Committee decision and of the process for further appeal by the chair of the respective committee after the meeting. The chair will write a letter regarding the decision to the student and a copy will be given to the student and placed in the student’s file.
6. The student has the right to further appeal the Committee’s decision to the Associate Dean of the College of Health and Human Services in writing within one week after receiving notification of the appeal decision.
7. If the student is retained in the program, the student and their advisor will meet and develop a plan to promote success. Members of the Retention Committee may make recommendations regarding this plan. The plan will address any continuing probationary issues and a schedule for periodic review will be included.
8. Multiple referrals to the Retention Committee while enrolled in the OTD program could result in dismissal from the program.

OTD Graduation Requirements

Students must successfully complete all of the program requirements to graduate from the OTD program and receive their diploma. This includes:

1. Successful completion of all OTD credit hours. (100)
2. Successful completion of all didactic coursework, fieldwork, and doctoral capstone experience with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
3. Successful completion of two Level II Fieldwork experiences (OTD-730 Level II Fieldwork and OTD-735 Level II Fieldwork; 24 weeks)
4. Successful completion of one Experiential Component (OTD-800 Capstone Experience; 14 weeks).

Fieldwork Experience/Doctoral Capstone Experiences

Students complete a variety of field-experiences while enrolled in OTD coursework, including 24 weeks of full-time field experience and a 14-week Capstone Experience. Students are responsible for their own transportation, travel, housing and specific health or compliance related costs, and continue to pay tuition while completing their field experiences.

Time Requirements for Completing Occupational Therapy Program

The OTD Program falls into three categories:

1. Academic Coursework (on campus): The academic portion must be completed within 36 months from initial entry into the program.
2. Level II Fieldwork (24 weeks): Fieldwork experiences must be completed within 24 months of fulfilling the academic coursework.
3. Doctoral Capstone Experience (14 weeks): The experiential component must be completed within 24 months of fulfilling the academic coursework.

Academic Policies

For specific academic policies, refer to the OTD Student Handbook. Handbooks are available by contacting the OT Office.

One Price Tuition Plan

OTD students are covered by the One Price Tuition Plan, which makes financial planning easier by ensuring tuition costs, remain one rate throughout the normal course of full-time graduate study. Graduate program tuition applies to all three years of the program, even if an undergraduate student with senior status in the first year. Students beginning the OTD program cannot use undergraduate scholarships and institutional aid awarded from St. Ambrose University or Loras College toward tuition and fees associated with the OTD Program. Most course fees and some other miscellaneous costs incurred by OTD students are included. Costs for textbooks, technology, fieldwork experiences, room and board and graduation are not included. Contact the OTD program for tuition rate and details. A limited amount of graduate financial aid is available. The Financial Aid Office can provide information on graduate studies loans.

Accreditation/Certification

The St. Ambrose 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 Ave. 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number 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 and state licensure is 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.