Start or Advance Your Career in Occupational Therapy
Learn how you can become an OTA in 16 months or take the next step to become an occupational therapist through our Occupational Therapy Bridge Program.
Occupational Therapy Programs at St. Kate's
Every day, occupational therapy (OT) professionals help people of all ages live better, more fulfilling lives. Unfortunately, there are not enough occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants nationwide. The occupational therapy programs at St. Catherine University are changing that by making it possible to earn an associate degree in occupational therapy in as few as 16 months or a Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy through our Direct Entry Pathway in as few as 20 months or in our Health Science – Pre OT – Bridge Track in as few as seven semesters.
Blending online and on-site curriculum, our accredited program continues to set the standard for occupational therapy assistant (OTA) education. St. Kate’s launched one of the nation’s first OTA programs in 1965, and we also redefined how it’s taught by introducing our online OTA program in 2014. We have changed the game again by launching our OT Bridge Program, which enables OTAs with or without a bachelor’s degree to seamlessly transition into an occupational therapy career.
Through our innovative Online OTA program, you’ll:
- Complete online coursework at your convenience from anywhere.
- Participate in hands-on labs and professional fieldwork
- Develop the skills needed to work under the supervision of an occupational therapist
- Graduate prepared to sit for the NBCOT® exam and to become a certified OTA.
A career as an occupational therapy assistant is ranked No. 7 on U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 list of Best Health Care Support Jobs. Get in contact today to start your journey into this exciting field.
I've always wanted to do some form of helping someone ... and read more about occupational therapy in general and just kind of fell in love with the idea of treating the whole person—not necessarily having someone walk 10 feet but have someone walk 10 feet in a way that they can practice, helping them get to the mailbox ... and treating them more as a person than as a statistic.
Logan Timbers, OTA program graduate
Online and On-Site Curriculum
Our occupational therapy programs combine the convenience and flexibility of online learning with hands-on experience through skills labs and fieldwork locations in Virginia, California, Texas, and Minnesota as a part of our online OTA program. The OT Bridge Program paths have minimal in-person requirements, held only in Texas.
Online Coursework
Students complete and submit assignments, communicate with instructors and fellow students, and take quizzes online.
Fieldwork
Students gain real-life practice as they learn about diverse practice settings and work with various patient populations.
Skills Labs
Master important OT skills under expert guidance and receive personalized instruction with our 12-to-1 faculty ratio.
Occupational Therapy Bridge Programs
Looking to become an occupational therapist? As an OTA, you can earn a master's degree and launch a rewarding OT career through one of two pathways:
- Direct Entry Pathway for those who hold a bachelor’s degree; graduate in as few as 20 months.
- Health Science – Pre OT – Bridge Track for those who need to complete their bachelor’s degree; graduate in as few as seven semesters.
Learn more about our new OT Bridge Program. Request information and connect with our admissions team to discuss your options.
