OT Bridge Program: Take the Next Step in Your Occupational Therapy Career
Many occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) may look to progress their career by becoming an Occupational Therapist (OT). St. Catherine University is now offering an OT bridge program, so OTAs with bachelor’s degrees can quickly and seamlessly transition into a career as an OT.
What is an OT Bridge Program?
The traditional path of an OT requires students to graduate with a degree in a related field before committing two to three years toward a master’s program and earning their Occupational Therapist License (OT/L). St. Kate’s OT bridge program allows certified OTAs to build upon their education and earn their Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy (MAOT) on a faster timeline.
In the occupational therapy assistant to occupational therapy bridge program, students will work through our mostly online curriculum to earn their master’s degree in as few as 20 months.
Who Should Apply to Our OT Bridge Program?
St. Kate’s OT bridge program is ideal for OTAs who want to advance their OT careers.
The OT bridge program is designed for current OTAs with a bachelor’s degree. If you don’t have a bachelor’s, our admissions team would be happy to discuss options for obtaining one through St. Kate’s.
All St. Kate’s OTA graduates with a bachelor’s degree and one year of experience are offered automatic provisional admission into our OT bridge program. An admissions advisor can guide you through the process.
OT Bridge Program Overview
| Category | OT Bridge Program |
|---|---|
| Degree: | Master’s Degree (MAOT) |
| Certification Body: | NBCOT |
| State Licensure: | State of employment |
| Career Scope: | Full autonomy, increased clinical decision-making |
| Timeline: | ~20 months (post-OTA experience) (56 credits) |
| Instruction Modality: | Primarily online, with a weekend lab in Texas for the first three semesters |
What to Expect in the OT Bridge Program
Our OT bridge program’s 20-month curriculum combines online didactic coursework with level I fieldwork and minimal in-person labs.
Online Coursework
The online coursework portion of the curriculum is our program’s primary learning method, supplemented with a total of three in-person requirements. This adaptable learning model ensures students have the flexibility to integrate these elements into their schedule and acquire well-rounded skills for a successful career.
In-Person Labs
The lab portion of the program is facilitated at our learning site in Texas. St. Kate’s occupational therapy assistant to occupational therapy bridge program accepts applicants from across the U.S., but we require students to attend labs at the Texas location a few times throughout the program to practice applying concepts and skills learned in the online coursework. There might also be minimal synchronous online course times scheduled throughout the program.
Fieldwork
Level II fieldwork occurs in the final two semesters of the program. Our program faculty will help find and coordinate your level II fieldwork rotations within your community. These two 12-week rotations will occur in an occupational therapy setting such as a hospital or outpatient facility. These experiences accomplish similar goals to your OTA fieldwork, applying learned theory and enhancing your skills through hands-on participation.
OT Bridge Program Requirements
To be considered for admission, all applicants must meet the minimum requirements:
- NBCOT Certification. Students will upload a copy of their initial or current OTA NBCOT certification.
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree. Students will send their official transcripts from the school that granted their degree.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 overall for a bachelor’s or master’s degree. St. Kate’s utilizes a holistic admissions process and will consider student applications with a 2.7 or higher GPA if they can show a progression in their academic tenure and a commitment to achieving academic excellence.
- Recommendation. During the application process, students will be asked to provide the name and email of either a supervising occupational therapist, former fieldwork educator or faculty member. St. Kate’s will email the recommendation form directly to the contact provided.
- Current Resume. Students will upload their resumes during the application process.
- Previous St. Catherine Graduates. St. Catherine University OTA alumni with a bachelor’s degree and one year of work experience will be granted automatic provisional entrance into the Bridge program.
Prerequisites
There are no required prerequisites for applicants who are currently practicing OTAs with at least one year of experience.
FAQs
What kind of support will I have as a student?
After completing our contact form, St. Kate’s dedicated admissions advisors will help you meet the eligibility requirements and gather the materials to prepare the best application possible. Our admissions advisors will answer any questions you have about our programs and assist you in building an enrollment plan that works toward your intended start date.
How long does the OT Bridge Program take to complete?
St. Kate’s OT bridge program can be completed in as few as 20 months. This timeline may vary, however, depending on how long it takes to meet the eligibility requirements, including having worked for one year as an OTA.
Can I apply if I don’t have an occupational therapy background?
St. Kate’s OT bridge program is designed for OTAs with bachelor’s degrees looking to advance their careers and transition into the next step of their education. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, contact an admissions advisor to learn about your options. To accommodate the timeline of our OT bridge program, St. Kate’s asks that all candidates provide proof of initial NBCOT certification.
For More Information
Reach out to one of our admissions advisors for more info on St. Kate’s OT bridge program and your eligibility.
Note: The OT Bridge Program is currently seeking accreditation and is not yet enrolling students. See our Accreditation page for details.