Occupational Therapy (Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy)
Choose an occupational therapy program that combines top academics with hands-on learning, and prepare to make a difference in patients' lives. Creighton was the first to offer an entry-level doctor of occupational therapy program in 1999, and we're still setting the standard. Today, you can choose to learn on campus in Omaha or opt for a hybrid pathway (blending online and in-person learning) in Anchorage, Denver or Phoenix.
Our interprofessional approach to healthcare focuses on patient care, values-centered teaching by an exceptional faculty and a deep commitment to service. Learn more about our program and how to apply below.
Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in the nation
of graduates are employed or in fellowships within 6 months of graduation (2023)
clinical sites across the world
pathways to choose from
Program Details
This is a three-year, direct-entry OTD program, which means students who meet prerequisites and admission requirements can enter the program without needing to first earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Program Goals
As a Doctor of Occupational Therapy student, you will learn:
- Occupational therapy clinical skills
- The essential knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the advancement of occupational therapy through scholarly activities
- The skills needed to take on leadership roles at the local, national and international levels in occupational therapy, health professions and the community
- Ways to influence policy, practice and education by advocating for occupational therapy services for individuals and populations
- How to apply principles of ethics to individual, institutional and societal issues; articulate justifiable resolutions to these issues; and act in an ethical manner
Curriculum
Our curriculum encompasses three primary themes: occupation, professional practice and professional identity. The curriculum is built around these themes so you begin engaging in them as soon as you enter the program and continue to build on them throughout the curriculum.
Leadership and Ignatian values are also interwoven within the curriculum. We provide you with unique professional formation development through professional trajectory coursework in emerging and specialty areas of occupational therapy.
Fieldwork
Along with classroom work, OTD students also complete Level I Fieldwork for four semesters. In the final three semesters of the program, students complete longer and more in-depth Level II fieldwork experiences and conclude their OTD education with a 16-week Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE).
See a full breakdown of fieldwork.
For some of the rotations, students can travel nationally and internationally to complete their clinical requirements. The class schedule is designed to help students fit in these fieldwork sessions seamlessly, and all placements are arranged by Creighton’s Occupational Therapy Academic Fieldwork Coordinators. To select your site, you will work with our clinical education team to indicate your top 10 choices, and Creighton will match you based on availability at those sites.
Professional licensure requirements are determined solely by each state and may change without notice to Creighton. While our information is updated annually, Creighton cannot guarantee continuous accuracy. Current and prospective students can find program-specific PDFs on our Academic Regulations page or consult the appropriate licensing agency in the state where they plan to practice to confirm updated requirements for their program.
Creighton also cannot guarantee that any student will attain state-established licensure or certification in any field or jurisdiction.
Schedule a Visit
Learn about the program, admissions, prerequisites, clinical education experiences and more below. You can also discover if Creighton is the right fit for you by scheduling a personalized campus visit.
Program Locations
Omaha, Nebraska
Creighton OTD Omaha Program
In our Omaha program, students take classes on campus in a classroom setting. And they gain hands-on experience in our occupational therapy labs located in the new CL and Rachel Werner Center for Health Sciences Education, which is home to medical, nursing, OT and PT students. Our community connections mean students also have the chance to gain experience both locally and internationally at places like the Autism Center of Nebraska and the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC).
Keli Mu, PhD, OTR/L
Professor and Chair of Occupational Therapy, Omaha Program
Anchorage, Alaska
Creighton OTD Alaska Hybrid Pathway
The Anchorage, Alaska, pathway is offered in partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). The OTD collaboration includes synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. In this hybrid program, lectures are delivered online, while lab courses are held on the UAA campus and led by expert OT clinicians from the Anchorage community. A hybrid pathway streams your lectures live from our Omaha campus and then records each lecture for you to review later. You can participate live or watch the recording later depending on what works for you. Exams are also completed online with an online proctor via Examity.
The Alaska pathway paves the way for needed OTs in the state, particularly in rural areas.
Watch the Alaska pathway video.
Alfred G . Bracciano, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Professor and Coordinator, Alaska Pathway
Denver, Colorado
Creighton OTD Regis Hybrid Pathway
This pathway offers an OTD degree through a partnership with Regis University in Denver—the first partnership of its kind among Jesuit universities. The hybrid program mixes on-campus and online education. Lectures are streamed live from our Omaha campus and then recorded for you to review later. You can participate live or watch the recording later depending on what works for you. Exams are also completed online with an online proctor via Examity.
Hands-on learning, such as anatomy lab and simulation center experiences, takes place in the new Interprofessional Health Campus in Thornton and on the Regis Northwest Denver campus. Students in the small cohorts of the Regis pathway learn hands-on skills from Denver-area OT practitioners and experts in clinical practice.
The Rocky Mountain region is facing a shortage of occupational therapists. Regis pathway students can help fill needed positions in local communities.
Watch the Denver pathway video.
Lou E . Jensen, OTD, OTR/L, LVST, BIG
Associate Professor and Coordinator, Regis Pathway
Phoenix, Arizona
Creighton OTD Phoenix Hybrid Pathway
Students in the Phoenix hybrid pathway are part of Creighton’s interprofessional campus in the Phoenix Medical Quarter.
In this hybrid pathway, lectures are streamed live from our Omaha campus, and each lecture is recorded. You can participate live or watch the recording later depending on what works for you. Exams are also completed online with an online proctor via Examity.
In this pathway, students complete experiential learning on Creighton’s campus in Midtown. Full-time OT faculty at the Phoenix campus work closely with faculty at the Omaha campus to instruct lab components of the curriculum. In the school’s 12 labs, learners gain hands-on experience with standardized patients, home care environments and more.
Watch the Phoenix pathway video.
Carrie Bose, OTD, OTR/L, BCP
Assistant Professor and Coordinator, Phoenix Pathway
The Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance is an important addition to Phoenix’s healthcare community, which faces a critical shortage of healthcare professionals to serve the region’s diverse population. The Creighton Alliance provides Creighton students essential hands-on patient-care experience at mission-focused Phoenix healthcare facilities.
Admission Requirements
To apply, applicants must submit all of the following materials through OTCAS, the centralized application service for occupational therapy programs. When you apply:
- An official transcript must be submitted to OTCAS from each institution you have attended and/or are currently attending. Official transcripts must be received directly from the issuing institution(s).
- All fall/winter term 2023 and prior transcripts should be directed to OTCAS.
- All spring/summer 2024 term transcripts should be directed to Creighton University’s Enrollment Services.
- Include three letters of recommendation.
- We prefer that one letter come from a college professor who can attest to your ability to enter a competitive professional program. If you have been out of school for some time, letters from a work setting can be helpful. Do not submit letters from family members or friends.
- Observation in an OT setting supervised by a licensed occupational therapist.
- We do not require a minimum number of hours; however the more hours a candidate has acquired, the more competitive an applicant becomes for admission. Observation hours help inform applicant responses during the application and interview process.
- Applicants will be considered for an interview prior to completion of observations. Admitted candidates will be required to complete their observations by August 1, 2024.
A GRE is not required as part of the application process for Creighton’s OTD.
State Licensure Requirements
The programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy and pharmacy within the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions meet the appropriate and relevant degree requirements for licensure for all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Prerequisites
Entrance into the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program requires a minimum of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of prerequisite coursework.
Prerequisite courses may be completed at any regionally accredited institution and must be completed with a grade of C or better (a C- grade is not acceptable). All prerequisite coursework must be completed by August 1 of the desired year of entry.
You do NOT need to wait until all your prerequisites are complete to apply. Students can apply for the OTD program with outstanding prerequisites. If you are admitted, you will have to finish all prerequisites before August 1 of the year of matriculation.
This is a direct-entry OTD program, which means applicants don’t need to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree to apply.
Prerequisite Details
For admission into the OTD program at Creighton University, you must meet the following academic requirements:
- Theology, Philosophy and/or Ethics (also includes religion or logic): 3 semester hours/4.5 quarter hours
- Culture, Ideas and/or Civilizations (includes history, world religions, American studies, world literature or women’s studies): 3 semester hours/4.5 quarter hours
- Human Anatomy (if enrolled in a combined anatomy/physiology course, six semester hours will be required): 3 semester hours/4.5 quarter hours
- English Composition: 3 semester hours/4.5 quarter hours
- Statistics: 3 semester hours/4.5 quarter hours
- Psychology (three of the six hours must include either human development or abnormal psychology): 6 semester hours/9 quarter hours
- Medical Terminology: 1 semester hour/1.5 quarter hours
- Electives (Creighton Undergraduate students must complete six hours of Theology among the elective hours): 38 semester hours/57 quarter hours
The School of Pharmacy and Health Professions will make the final decision regarding courses satisfying requirements.
Dates & Deadlines
July 19: OTCAS Launch Date
November 1: Preferred Deadline
November 1: Creighton Undergraduate Deadline (Early Assurance and Creighton Preference)
December-January: OTCAS Academic Update (Update summer/fall grades through OTCAS)
May 1, 2025: Final Application Deadline
The Creighton University Doctor of Occupational Therapy program operates on a rolling admission basis, meaning that qualified applicants are invited to interview and offered admission on a first-come, first-served basis. In the past three admission cycles, all available interview dates were full by early November. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
The program is three years long. Each OTD cohort starts in August and graduates in May, just shy of three years later. OTD candidates complete eight semesters in total, including two summer terms throughout the three years of the program.
Interview Dates
Personal interviews are required in the OT admission process. Qualified applicants will be notified via email if they are selected for an interview. Interview registration, if applicable, is available in your application portal.
There are three ways to interview for the OTD program at Creighton: on-campus, virtually or individually. Once interview seats are full, we may not have the ability to interview additional qualified candidates. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Interviews are offered at each campus pathway, using the schedule below.
Omaha Pathway
- February 7, 2025
- April 4, 2025
Regis Pathway
- January 31, 2025
- April 11, 2025
Phoenix Pathway
- March 28, 2025
Candidates can also schedule one-on-one interviews via their application portal, either in-person or virtually. Candidates are encouraged to schedule on-campus interviews where possible.
Virtual group interviews are offered on the dates below.
- February 28, 2025
- May 9, 2025
Cost of Attendance, Tuition & Financial Aid
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy tuition and fees varies over the 3-years of the program and the Alaska pathway will have an altered amount agreed and set by the partner university. See a breakdown of tuition.
Consideration of Scholarships
All admitted students are considered for scholarships. Scholarship awards range up to $60,000 for the duration, and they are divided throughout the three years of the program. The Office of Admission awards the top 25% of the incoming class at minimum.
Because admitted candidates are automatically considered for scholarships, no additional application is needed. The entire application is reviewed, including overall grade point average, prerequisite math and science grade point average, quality of admission essays, interview performance and participation in service and leadership. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, so applying early will maximize your consideration.
Contact the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions for more information on this competitive scholarship opportunity.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Once enrolled in the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, occupational therapy students can apply for additional scholarships on an annual basis. These scholarships range from $500 to full tuition in value and can be stacked on top of the initial merit award.
The Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) is a federally funded grant that provides students from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to develop the skills needed to successfully compete for, enter and graduate from health professional schools. HCOP will offer a scholarship (to cover tuition, fees, books and other related educational expenses) to students who matriculate or are currently in the professional schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy or occupational therapy.
Early Assurance and Undergrad Preference Programs with Creighton
Creighton offers two options that provide a straightforward path into the OTD program, so students can start working toward their goals sooner.
Early Assurance Program for High School Students
The Early Assurance Program is designed for high school students interested in early admission to the Creighton University Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. Students admitted to a Creighton University undergraduate college are given assurance of acceptance to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program if they meet certain criteria for admission and progression into the OTD program after a minimum of two years undergraduate study. If Early Assurance criteria is met, the applicant will complete a simplified OTCAS application.
Admission requirements for high school students:
- Prior admission to an undergraduate program of study at Creighton University through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
- Minimum High School GPA of 3.5 or higher. (Special consideration may be given to students whose GPAs fall outside this criterion with additional review by the OT Admission committee.)
Requirements to be met in years 1 and 2 at Creighton to progress on to the OTD professional curriculum:
- Take ALL prerequisite/pre-professional coursework at Creighton University. Courses taken for college credit/advanced placement prior to high school graduation will not result in ineligibility; however any prerequisite courses taken at other institutions after high school graduation will result in ineligibility.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- No grade below a C in any prerequisite course.
- Full participation in the Pre-Occupational Therapy learning community while enrolled in the pre-professional portion of the curriculum (years 1 and 2).
- 30 hours of work or shadowing in an occupational therapy setting after acceptance into the program and by the end (August 1) of year 2.
- Submit an OTCAS Application by October 1, the year prior to enrollment in the OTD professional curriculum.
- Successful completion of a progression interview, demonstrating growth in knowledge of the profession and strong communication/interpersonal skills.
- Pass a criminal background check prior to official enrollment in the professional program.
- Review and sign the technical standards document to acknowledge compliance with technical standards needed to successfully complete the OTD curriculum and practice the profession of occupational therapy.
Any withdrawal from a prerequisite course may impact a candidate’s ability to remain in the Early Assurance Program. Students are strongly encouraged to consult the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Office of Admissions prior to withdrawing from prerequisite coursework. After the withdrawal has occurred, Early Assurance students will be required to submit a written appeal to the admission committee to remain in the Early Assurance Program. Course withdrawals will be considered by the admission committee on a case-by-case basis.
Creighton Preference
The Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program gives preferential admission consideration to Creighton undergraduate students who complete all prerequisite coursework at Creighton. Benefits of the Creighton Preference include:
- Baccalaureate degree in any major accepted with a 3.25 GPA in all prerequisites
- Guaranteed interview with a 3.25 overall GPA
- Option of a formalized deferral program for one year if admitted and, if they remain enrolled during that year, a 3.25 Science GPA is maintained
To qualify for the Creighton preference, students must:
- Participate in Student Success programming.
- Take ALL prerequisite coursework at Creighton University. (Courses taken for college/advanced placement prior to high school graduation will not result in ineligibility; however any prerequisite courses taken at other institutions after high school graduation will result in ineligibility.)
- Submit an online application to the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Admission Office by October 1 of the academic year prior to enrollment in the professional program. Students unable to meet one or more of these criteria are encouraged to apply for admission.
Course Prerequisite Requirements
Entrance into the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program for fall 2020 or later requires a minimum of 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of prerequisite coursework.
Prerequisite courses may be completed at any regionally accredited institution and must be completed with a grade of C or better (a C- grade is not acceptable). All prerequisite coursework must be completed by August 1 of the desired year of entry. The prerequisites are:
- 3 semester hours each of:
- Theology, Philosophy and/or Ethics
- Culture, Ideas and/or Civilizations
- Anatomy
- Introduction to Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology or Human Development
- English Composition
- Statistics
- 1 semester hour of Medical Terminology
- 38 semester hours of electives (including 6 hours of Theology)
No matter the pathway you choose, Creighton offers a unique pre-professional advising program for undergraduate students interested in occupational therapy. You'll get one-on-one advising and support to move toward your goals.
ASU Dual Degree Program
Earn your Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) in less time in our 3+3 program, which is open to undergraduates at Arizona State University (ASU). Finish your undergraduate degree at ASU while completing your OTD at the Creighton University Health Sciences Campus in Phoenix, earning two degrees in just six years. Accepted applicants will begin working on their OTD with Creighton in their senior year at ASU. Ultimately, you’ll save a full year compared to a traditional timeline and start practicing sooner.
While at ASU, you’ll work closely with an admissions counselor to ensure you’re on track to apply to Creighton’s OTD program.
Clinical Education
Students in the occupational therapy program at Creighton receive personalized attention to match clinical education experiences to individual goals and learning outcomes related to the formation of a well-rounded generalist practitioner. Unique to Creighton’s program, each student is assigned a clinical education faculty member as a clinical advisor to design a dynamic clinical education experience nationally or internationally.
Fieldwork Schedule
Level 1 Fieldwork
Students in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program enroll in four Level I fieldwork experiences during their first five semesters. Level I Fieldwork covers the lifespan, including hospitals, clinics, school systems and community centers and consists of both didactic and experiential learning opportunities. The level I fieldwork courses are:
- OTD 318 Level IA Fieldwork: Mental Health
- OTD 390 Level IB Fieldwork: Physical Rehabilitation
- OTD 490 Level IC Fieldwork: Pediatric or Selected Practice Setting
- OTD 491 Level ID Fieldwork: Pediatric or Selected Practice Setting
Level 2 Fieldwork
Two of the nine professional semesters required for the entry-level OTD degree are three-month clinical fieldwork placements at supervised, approved facilities (level II fieldwork). Eligibility for level II fieldwork experiences is determined by the student’s mastery of the professional curriculum. A GPA of 2.0 or higher is required for level II fieldwork placement. The level II fieldwork courses are:
- OTD 460 Clinical Education Seminar I
- OTD 461 Clinical Education Seminar II
- OTD 481 (Level II A)
- OTD 571 (Level II B)
Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE)
DCEs are a unique component of the doctoral program. They give students the opportunity to extend and refine the knowledge acquired in the classroom and use it to critically analyze occupational therapy practice and refine skills in one or more of the given areas of focus:
- Advanced clinical practice
- Research
- Administration
- Leadership
- Program and policy development
- Advocacy
- Education
- Theory development
Opportunities are available both nationally and internationally.
International Opportunities
At Creighton, you’ll have the opportunity to share your knowledge and experience in healthcare with individuals in international locations. For more than 10 years, 200+ students have traveled outside of the United States for clinical rotations.
Every year, the number of students and sites increase as students realize all the possibilities of designing their fieldwork and doctoral capstone experiences. Creighton works closely with each student to help them successfully establish a site and carry out their experiential learning. Students can travel to a variety of countries, including:
- The Dominican Republic: Participate in a 3-week cross-cultural experience in the Dominican Republic that focuses on providing occupational therapy education and treatment. The experience is made possible by Creighton’s affiliation with the Institute for Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC).
Utilizing the tenets of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), you’ll explore the Dominican culture while providing health-related education to multiple community partners. You’ll also work alongside students and practitioners to utilize promotoras—or lay health providers—and address the needs of children with disabilities in the barrios of Santiago, Dominican Republic.
- China: Creighton University works with numerous university hospitals with inpatient and outpatient settings to provide students various learning experiences across China, including Level I fieldwork and doctoral experiential learning.
- Chile: In Chile, students can complete level ID fieldwork. While there, they work with the University of Magallanes in Punta Arenes and visit inpatient and outpatient hospital clinics, as well as schools.
- South Korea: Creighton University works with Yonsei University in Wonju, South Korea, to provide students with Level I fieldwork opportunities. Students visit inpatient acute and outpatient pediatric clinics. They can also share their current research with other international students and the Yonsei students and faculty. Students also spend time with the Yonsei OT students sightseeing, eating and learning each other’s cultures.
Specialty Tracks
Research Specialization Track
The Research Specialty Track is comprised of electives and core courses focused on scientific inquiry in occupational therapy research. In this track:
- Students can participate in a seminar series exploring critical questions, problems and contemporary issues in OT research
- Students can conduct research with direct faculty mentorship
- In collaboration with the research mentor, students establish specific learning objectives, a defined scope of work and specific products to be completed, which may include a presentation and/or publication
For a full list of courses required for the specializations, please refer to the Creighton University Course Catalog.
The specialty track initiative creates opportunities for occupational therapy students to gain knowledge and practical experiences in specialty areas of occupational therapy beyond the required entry-level curriculum. This helps prepare students for advanced career opportunities or fellowship opportunities. Graduates who meet the specialty track requirements will earn a special designation on their transcripts.
Maternal and Infant Health Specialty Track
The Maternal and Infant Health Specialty Track (MIHST) is designed to provide occupational therapy students with specialized knowledge and practical experiences in both emerging and advanced practice areas related to maternal and infant health. The MIHST includes a combination of entry-level OTD courses and electives, offering students a comprehensive learning experience in this critical field.
In this track:
- Students can engage in coursework that explores key issues, challenges and advancements in maternal and infant health within occupational therapy.
- Students will have opportunities for hands-on experiences and mentorship to deepen their understanding of evidence-based interventions and best practices.
- In collaboration with faculty mentors, students will establish specific learning objectives, define a scope of work and produce tangible outcomes, which may include presentations, research projects or publications.
The specialty track initiative allows occupational therapy students to gain advanced knowledge and experience beyond the required entry-level curriculum, preparing them for specialized career paths, fellowships and leadership roles in the field. Graduates who meet the specialty track requirements will earn a special designation on their transcripts.
Students interested in the MIHST will apply during their OT1 year. Courses not already included in the OTD curriculum will begin in the OT2 fall semester and will be available to students across all pathways.
Accreditation
The entry-level program in occupational therapy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA) located at:
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E
E Bethesda, MD 20814
Email: accred@aota.org
Phone: 301.652.2682
www.acoteonline.org
The Creighton entry-level program is accredited until the 2030-31 academic year. The next accreditation site visit is scheduled for 2030-2031.
OTD Program Outcomes
Graduation Rate
- 2024
Students Entering/Graduating: 117/109
Graduation Rate: 93.0% - 2023
Students Entering/Graduating: 115/107
Graduation Rate: 93.0% - 2022
Students Entering/Graduating: 116/114
Graduation Rate: 98.28% - Three-year total
Students Entering/Graduating: 348/330
Graduation Rate: 94.83%
NBCOT Board Pass Rate for Creighton Graduates
- For NBCOT licensure pass rates, please visit the NBCOT website.
There are plenty of ways to get involved at Creighton. See our occupational therapy clubs.
“I appreciate Creighton’s emphasis on service and social justice as part of our education as we are encouraged to engage in reflection and expand our knowledge on important issues as future healthcare professionals.”
Bhavan Chana, BS'21, OTD'24
