Doctor of Occupational Therapy - Phoenix, AZ
Creighton’s OTD Program is Now in Phoenix
Creighton’s Occupational Therapy program first debuted in 1985, and we’ve been innovating and expanding ever since. In fall 2021, we welcomed our first Doctor of Occupational Therapy students to our Phoenix, Arizona, pathway. With the same emphasis on clinical education and compassionate, whole-person care, the Phoenix location is a true extension of our existing pathways, and we’re excited to bring our experience to the region. The move is a direct response to the growing shortage of healthcare professionals in the area – our partners in Phoenix asked us to expand our presence and help provide new educational opportunities, and we’ve answered the call.

Online and In-Person Occupational Therapy Training
The Phoenix pathway offers a hybrid learning experience. Students can view online lectures at their preferred times and locations. Thanks to experienced faculty and a variety of technologies, these online learning environments are rich and flexible. Course labs are held in-person at Creighton’s new, modern campus in midtown Phoenix.
Full-time OT faculty at the Phoenix campus work closely with faculty at the Omaha campus to instruct hands-on lab components of the curriculum. The goal of all Creighton OTD hybrid pathways is to create a learning environment that mirrors what students would experience on Creighton’s Omaha campus, while addressing the societal needs in their respective geographic locations. Each pathway builds upon the program’s long history of excellence in Doctor of Occupational Therapy education.
The Creighton Phoenix pathway of the OTD program is part of the Creighton University Arizona Health Education Alliance with close relationships to Dignity St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Valleywise Health, and District Medical Group, Inc. This partnership paves the way for research and team-based learning opportunities, plus provides access to faculty experts working in the system.

Why Choose the Creighton OTD Program?
In Creighton’s OT program, passionate students become compassionate healthcare providers. With a focus on clinical education, an emphasis on interprofessional care and a commitment to helping you succeed, Creighton is the perfect place to start your career. Here, you won’t just earn your OTD degree. You’ll become a leader who is able to translate theoretical and philosophical ideas into everyday practice and make a real difference in the lives of your patients.
That ability to effect real change comes from a strong curriculum and commitment to clinical education. Throughout the program, you’ll take part in seven professional practice experiences, adding up to 43.5 weeks of experiential education. With hundreds of options to choose from across the U.S. and internationally, you can choose the clinical site that best fits your goals. Creighton students also have the chance to take on additional training and earn certification, along with fellowship opportunities.
You’ll see three main themes in the OTD curriculum: occupation, professional practice and professional identity. Leadership and Ignatian values are also interwoven. We also provide you with unique professional formation development through professional trajectory coursework in emerging and specialty areas of occupational therapy. And because we believe in supporting our students every step of the way, the Office of Academic and Student Affairs (OASA) offers a comprehensive support network that includes financial counseling to help understand and manage the financial commitment of getting a degree. OASA also provides tutoring, academic success seminars, academic advising and individual academic coaching sessions.
Learn more about the program, including clinical education, financial information and program outcomes.
The Phoenix academic site of the Creighton University entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program has obtained ACOTE 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:
6116 Executive Boulevard,
Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
Email: accred@aota.org
Phone: 301.652.2682
More information on ACOTE can be found at www.acoteonline.org.
The Creighton entry-level program is accredited until the 2020-21 academic year. The next accreditation site visit is scheduled for 2020-2021.