Department of Occupational Therapy
Advancing Occupational Therapy
We launched the country’s first entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program in 1999, and from the start, we have been committed to improving the lives of others.
Today, we have four pathways: a traditional campus in Omaha and hybrid pathways in Phoenix, Anchorage and Denver.
A Transformative Education
Creighton University’s health sciences programs lead the nation in innovation, collaborative care and service to others.
Here we like to say we educate the whole person. That means you’ll find the opportunities, interdisciplinary approach and faculty to become a highly competent, empathetic, passionate, principled global citizen—a Creighton graduate.
“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
Choose your Occupational Therapy Pathway
In each OTD pathway, we ensure that our students are well prepared to capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead for education, research and professional practice using advanced information technologies.
Students can choose from four pathways leading to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.
OT Program in the nation
Faculty members recognized as AOTA Fellows
Average pass rate on the National Occupational Therapy Exam
Starting salary for most graduates
Department of Occupational Therapy Philosophy
The philosophical base of the Department of Occupational Therapy is consistent with the Philosophical Base of Occupational Therapy (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2006).
Humans are self-directed, adaptive, occupational beings. As such, their development (emotional, spiritual, social, cognitive and biological) occurs in the context of occupation. Learning comes about through immersed exploration of diverse practice environments, collaboration, service, reflection and creative thinking. In the view of the Department, teaching is enabling, knowledge is understanding and learning is the active construction of subject matter.
We believe learning is contextual in three ways:
- New knowledge is acquired by extending and revising prior knowledge
- New ideas acquire meaning when they are presented in a coherent relationship to one another
- Knowledge becomes usable when it is acquired in situations that entail applications to concrete problem-solving
Our faculty desires to actively engage learners, draw upon their power as emerging professionals and integrate occupational therapy knowledge through discussion, reflection, evaluation and self-directed learning.
Occupational Therapy Education at Creighton
Mission
The mission of the Creighton University Department of Occupational Therapy is to educate reflective practitioners, engage in scholarship dedicated to the pursuit of truth, serve the profession and offer occupational therapy expertise to local and global communities.
The Creighton University occupational therapy graduate will be creative, ethical, holistic, strategic, and committed to lifelong learning. Therefore, the department will value and honor diversity, model and foster leadership and facilitate spiritual, personal and professional growth.
Vision
Within the Jesuit tradition, we envision the Department of Occupational Therapy to be nationally recognized for scholarship, research, teaching and learning, and the quality and professional excellence of its graduates and faculty as ethical leaders providing occupation and evidence-based care and service for individuals and the global society.
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Simulation at Creighton
Our state-of-the-art simulation facilities in Phoenix and Omaha help health science learners gain skills and confidence in a safe, encouraging and realistic environment. Simulation at Creighton is led by evidence-based research and provides inter- and intradisciplinary experiences, providing students with unparalleled opportunities to provide holistic, team-based care.
Postgraduate OT Fellowship Programs
Take your career plans to the next level by becoming a specialist and leader in your area of practice. Creighton’s occupational therapy fellowship programs are specifically designed for those who are new graduates or early in their professional careers.
Our Pediatric, Neurology, and Gerontology fellowship programs are approved through AOTA.
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The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) educational standard, A.2.6, states that, “The program must document policies and procedures to ensure that the program director and faculty are aware of and abide by the current code of ethics of the profession of occupational therapy.” In accordance with this standard, this policy governs only those instances where allegations of violations of the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics are brought forth.
Policy
The faculty within the Department of Occupational Therapy is committed to maintaining the educational programs and professional behaviors that meet or exceed accreditation standards. Each year, faculty members in the Occupational Therapy Department are asked to review the Code of Ethics and sign a statement explicating that they are aware of and will abide by the Code. The Occupational Therapy Program is committed to helping individuals correct any behavior that may be in contradiction to the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics. Faculty members or other stakeholders are encouraged to voice and discuss concerns they have about a violation of the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics. In cases where a formal complaint is deemed necessary, established procedures will be followed.
How to File an Ethics Complaint
For Further Information About the Code of Ethics, Please Contact:
Keli Mu, PhD, OTR/L
Professor and Chair of Department of Occupational Therapy
Email: kelimu@creighton.edu
Phone: 402.280.5938
Fax: 402.280.5692
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.
Office of Admission
Criss III Rm. 151
402.280.2662
cuspahp@creighton.edu
