About St. Catherine University

St. Catherine University is unique in that we incorporate a liberal arts curriculum and social justice teaching in all our academic programs to develop transformational leaders. It has a rich tradition and commitment to inclusivity, advancing wisdom and justice and powering lives of meaning.

flag banners on St. Kate campus
Loading Form

PROGRAM HISTORY

1887:The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet founded St. Mary’s School of Nursing, later named St. Mary’s Junior College.
1905:St. Catherine University (formerly the College of St. Catherine) was founded in St. Paul, Minnesota.
1937:St. Kate’s became the first Catholic college/university in the United States and the third Minnesota institution to be awarded a Phi Beta Kappa chapter, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious undergraduate honors organization.
1964:St. Kate’s launched the first OTA program in the United States.
1986:St. Mary’s merged with St. Catherine, making the University the oldest healthcare educator in Minnesota
2007:St. Kate’s strengthened its commitment to excellence in healthcare education by launching the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health Sciences. The School’s ambition is to reshape the education of healthcare professionals at all degree levels.
2014:We expanded our highly respected OTA curriculum to the state of Virginia, making us the first university to offer an Online OTA program that combines an online and hands-on curriculum.

OTA at St. Kate's

Today, our online OTA program spans Minnesota, California, Virginia, and Texas. It continues to set the academic and professional standards for this unique healthcare segment while maintaining a solid reputation within the medical community.

As a St. Kate’s OTA student, you can expect to take on challenging but achievable assignments that prepare you for a career in this exciting, growing field. We offer 12 skills labs, occurring once every 3–4 weeks at each program location.

Our accredited online OTA program provides:

  • A well-rounded science and liberal arts education
  • A unique blend of online and on-site curriculum
  • Personalized attention via small faculty-to-student ratios
  • Diverse fieldwork opportunities that develop clinical and leadership skills
outside shot of st. kate campus

The program affords the knowledge, skills, and job readiness required to take the NBCOT® Exam for becoming a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). A seven-week study plan through our NBCOT Prep Coaching Program helps to ensure that each student gets the attention and support they need to succeed.

close up of stethoscope and iPad on desk

For More Information

Contact us to learn more about St. Catherine University.