Pre-Doctor of Occupational Therapy - Entry Level
St. Catherine University offers two alternatives for completing the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Entry Level (OTD EL) program. A dual-degree program is available to undergraduate students resulting in a B.A. or B.S. degree in select majors (see below and Dual Degree Programs tab), and a Doctor of Occupational Therapy Entry Level (OTD EL). The graduate entry-level OTD EL program is available to students who have completed a B.A. or B.S. in another major. The graduate program is available in a weekday format.
There are three options for admission to the dual-degree program and the doctor of occupational therapy (OTD EL). Each option requires completion of the following prerequisite courses.
Prerequisites
It is strongly recommended that all prerequisite courses be completed within the past 10 years.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 2610 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 2620 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab | 4 |
| INDI 2220 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| or IPE 1030 | Healthcare Teams Foundations and Medical Terminology | |
| PSYC 1001 | General Psychology with Lab | 4 |
| PSYC 2025 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 3010 | Understanding Psychological Disorders | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Principles and Concepts of Sociology | ||
| Sociology of Health and Medicine | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences | ||
| Statistical Analysis for Decision Making | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Statistical Methods in Psychology | ||
| Statistical Analysis with Corequisite | ||
| Statistical Analysis | ||
Option 1: Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP)
Students may apply to the University and to the guaranteed admission program during their senior year in high school. Students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for consideration for the OTD EL guaranteed admission program:
Required:
- ACT score of 24 or better
- Cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better on a 4.0 scale
- Declare one of the four dual-degree majors (see below) as their intended area of study
Select students are admitted to the guaranteed admission program each year. Students who apply on or before February 15 of their senior year will be given priority consideration for admission to the program.
Once admitted to the GAP pre-OT, students must meet all the admission criteria and submit a standard application as outlined in Option 2 (see below) along with other Dual-Degree Graduate OT Program applicants. GAP pre-OT students who have met all admission and application criteria will be given the first open Dual-Degree spots in the program before other Dual-Degree applicants are considered.
Option 2: Standard Application Process for the Dual-Degree OTD EL Program
In this option, students enter one of the University's pre-occupational therapy areas of study in communication studies, exercise and sport science, psychology, or public health: public policy that include all OTD EL prerequisites, liberal arts core requirements, and major course work in the particular field of study.
Students are eligible to apply to the OTD EL program in their junior year provided all OTD EL admission requirements have been met. Applicants must complete a dual degree application and meet all other admission criteria for consideration to the program including:
-
Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better
-
Prerequisite course work GPA of 3.2 or better
- Have met with a pre-occupational therapy advisor
- At least six of the prerequisite courses were completed before applying to the OTD EL program, including at least two from the sciences (anatomy, physiology, statistics)
- Only one prerequisite course may be repeated, and it may not be repeated more than once
- If two or more prerequisite courses have a grade lower than a C the student is ineligible for the dual-degree program
Students accepted into the OTD EL for their senior year will be granted a B.A. or B. S. degree after successful completion of the first year of the OTD EL program if they have met all graduation requirements. The student’s major will be public health: public policy, applied science in communication studies, applied science in exercise and sport science, or applied science in psychology. Students continue with approximately two more years of graduate-level occupational therapy coursework to complete the OTD EL degree.
Students who are not accepted into the OTD EL program can complete a major in communication studies, exercise and sport science, psychology, or public health: public policy. The curriculum for each of the areas of study is listed on the Dual Degree Programs tab.
Option 3: Doctor of Occupational Therapy Entry Level Program
This option is designed for students who have completed a B.A. or B.S. in another major.
Students are eligible to apply to the OTD EL program provided all OTD EL admission requirements have been met. Applicants must apply to the program using the OTCAS online application system and meet all admission criteria for consideration to the program including:
-
Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better
-
Prerequisite course work GPA of 3.2 or better
- Have met with a pre-occupational therapy advisor
- At least six of the prerequisite courses were completed before applying to the OTD EL program, including at least two from the sciences (anatomy, physiology, statistics)
- Only one prerequisite course may be repeated, and it may not be repeated more than once
- If two or more prerequisite courses have a grade lower than a C the student is ineligible for the OTD EL program
For more information, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission or the Department of Occupational Therapy at St. Catherine University.
The curriculum for each of the dual degree programs - communication studies, exercise and sport science, psychology, and public health: public policy - is listed below.
Communication Studies
This major is available in the College for Women only.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-OTD EL) | ||
| BIOL 2610 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 2620 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab | 4 |
| INDI 2220 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| or IPE 1030 | Healthcare Teams Foundations and Medical Terminology | |
| PSYC 1001 | General Psychology with Lab | 4 |
| PSYC 2025 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 3010 | Understanding Psychological Disorders | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Principles and Concepts of Sociology | ||
| Sociology of Health and Medicine | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences | ||
| Statistical Analysis for Decision Making | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Statistical Methods in Psychology | ||
| Statistical Analysis with Corequisite | ||
| Statistical Analysis | ||
| Communication Studies Core Courses | ||
| COMM 1000W | Communication Strategies for Social Justice | 4 |
| COMM 1030 | Speaking to Lead and Influence | 4 |
| COMM 2050 | Media, Culture and Society | 4 |
| COMM 3070W | Gender and Rhetoric | 4 |
| COMM 3100 | Communicating across Cultures, Identities and Differences | 4 |
| COMM 4600 | Leadership and the Art of Persuasion | 4 |
| COMM 4850 | Senior Seminar | 4 |
| One additional 4000-level course | 4 | |
| Graduate Courses Taken After Admission to Dual Degree Program | ||
| OCTH 5010 | Human Occupation | 3 |
| OCTH 5200 | Mental and Behavioral Health | 3 |
| OCTH 5410 | Children, Adolescents, and Families | 3 |
| OCTH 5500 | Neuroscience | 3 |
| OCTH 5600 | Kinesiology for Rehabilitation | 3 |
| OCTH 6000 | Foundational Skills for Occupational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| OCTH 6010 | Seminar A: Entering the Profession | 1 |
| OCTH 6020 | Seminar B and Level I Fieldwork - Psychological and Social Factors Impacting Performance | 1 |
| OCTH 6310 | Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
| OCTH 6410 | Foundations of Research | 3 |
| OCTH 6610 | Rehabilitation Concepts | 3 |
| OCTH 6700 | Older Adults in Context | 3 |
| OCTH 7100 | Social Determinants of Health | 1 |
| OCTH 7900 | Doctoral Orientation Camp | 1 |
| Total Credits | 96 | |
Students who do not gain entry into the OTD EL program after their junior year complete the major (B.A. degree) in communication studies.
Exercise and Sport Science
This major is available in the College for Women only.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-OTD EL) | ||
| BIOL 2610 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 2620 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab | 4 |
| INDI 2220 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| or IPE 1030 | Healthcare Teams Foundations and Medical Terminology | |
| PSYC 1001 | General Psychology with Lab | 4 |
| PSYC 2025 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 3010 | Understanding Psychological Disorders | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Principles and Concepts of Sociology | ||
| Sociology of Health and Medicine | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences | ||
| Statistical Analysis for Decision Making | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Statistical Methods in Psychology | ||
| Statistical Analysis with Corequisite | ||
| Statistical Analysis | ||
| Exercise and Sport Science Core Courses | ||
| EXSS 2650 | Introduction to Exercise and Sport Science | 1 |
| EXSS 2800W | Introduction to Research Methods in Exercise Science | 4 |
| EXSS 3200 | Health Behavior Psychology (Only required for students who enter St. Catherine University Fall 2017 or later) | 4 |
| EXSS 3350 | Kinesiology and Biomechanics with Lab | 4 |
| EXSS 3450 | Exercise Physiology with Lab | 4 |
| EXSS 3550 | Exercise Testing and Prescription with Lab | 4 |
| EXSS 3615 | Motor Learning and Motor Control | 4 |
| EXSS 3750 | Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries | 2 |
| IPE 4200W | Healthcare Teams - Evidence-Based Practice | 4 |
| Graduate Courses Taken After Admission to Dual Degree Program | ||
| OCTH 5010 | Human Occupation | 3 |
| OCTH 5200 | Mental and Behavioral Health | 3 |
| OCTH 5410 | Children, Adolescents, and Families | 3 |
| OCTH 5500 | Neuroscience | 3 |
| OCTH 5600 | Kinesiology for Rehabilitation | 3 |
| OCTH 6000 | Foundational Skills for Occupational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| OCTH 6010 | Seminar A: Entering the Profession | 1 |
| OCTH 6020 | Seminar B and Level I Fieldwork - Psychological and Social Factors Impacting Performance | 1 |
| OCTH 6310 | Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
| OCTH 6410 | Foundations of Research | 3 |
| OCTH 6610 | Rehabilitation Concepts | 3 |
| OCTH 6700 | Older Adults in Context | 3 |
| OCTH 7100 | Social Determinants of Health | 1 |
| OCTH 7900 | Doctoral Orientation Camp | 1 |
| Total Credits | 95 | |
Students who do not gain entry into the OTD EL program after their junior year complete the following courses for a major (B.S. degree) in exercise and sport science:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EXSS 3400 | Foundations of Sport Psychology | 4 |
| EXSS 3500 | Methods of Strength Training and Conditioning | 4 |
| EXSS 4612 | Fieldwork | 2 |
| EXSS 4614 | Fieldwork | 4 |
| EXSS 4850 | Capstone | 1 |
| CHEM 1110 | General Chemistry I with Lab | 4 |
| FSNU 2300 | Nutrition Foundations | 4 |
| FSNU 3400 | Sports Nutrition | 4 |
| IPE 2800 | Healthcare Teams: Opportunities and Challenges in Aging | 4 |
| Total Credits | 31 | |
Psychology
This major is available in the College for Women only.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-OTD EL) | ||
| BIOL 2610 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab | 4 |
| BIOL 2620 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab | 4 |
| INDI 2220 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| or IPE 1030 | Healthcare Teams Foundations and Medical Terminology | |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Principles and Concepts of Sociology | ||
| Sociology of Health and Medicine | ||
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Psychology Core Courses | ||
| PSYC 1001 | General Psychology with Lab 1 | 4 |
| PSYC 1090 | Statistical Methods in Psychology 1 | 4 |
| PSYC 2025 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology 1 | 4 |
| PSYC 3000 | Research Methods in Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 3010 | Understanding Psychological Disorders 1 | 4 |
| PSYC 3XXX or 4XXX | Elective | 4 |
| PSYC 4220W | History and Systems | 4 |
| Graduate Courses Taken After Admission to Dual Degree Program | ||
| OCTH 5010 | Human Occupation | 3 |
| OCTH 5200 | Mental and Behavioral Health | 3 |
| OCTH 5410 | Children, Adolescents, and Families | 3 |
| OCTH 5500 | Neuroscience | 3 |
| OCTH 5600 | Kinesiology for Rehabilitation | 3 |
| OCTH 6000 | Foundational Skills for Occupational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| OCTH 6010 | Seminar A: Entering the Profession | 1 |
| OCTH 6020 | Seminar B and Level I Fieldwork - Psychological and Social Factors Impacting Performance | 1 |
| OCTH 6310 | Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
| OCTH 6410 | Foundations of Research | 3 |
| OCTH 6610 | Rehabilitation Concepts | 3 |
| OCTH 6700 | Older Adults in Context | 3 |
| OCTH 7100 | Social Determinants of Health | 1 |
| OCTH 7900 | Doctoral Orientation Camp | 1 |
| Total Credits | 76 | |
Students who do not gain entry into the OTD EL program after their junior year complete the following courses for a major (B.S. degree) in psychology:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 2850 | Seminar I: Psychology Engages the World | 2 |
| PSYC 4850 | Seminar II: Current Issues in Psychology | 2 |
| Select two courses offering laboratory experimentation from the following: | 8 | |
| Health Psychology with Lab | ||
| Socialization Processes with Lab | ||
| Learning Principles and Applications with Lab | ||
| Memory and Cognition with Lab | ||
| Industrial/Organizational Psychology with Lab | ||
| Experimental Social Psychology with Lab | ||
| Biopsychology with Lab | ||
| Select one additional philosophy course in consultation with advisor. Recommended courses include: | 4 | |
| Ethics | ||
| Biomedical Ethics | ||
| Philosophy of Psychology | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
- 1
Meets OTD EL required prerequisite
Public Health: Public Policy
This major is available in the College for Women only.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Prerequisite Courses (pre-OTD EL) | ||
| BIOL 2620 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab | 4 |
| INDI 2220 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| or IPE 1030 | Healthcare Teams Foundations and Medical Terminology | |
| PSYC 1001 | General Psychology with Lab | 4 |
| SOCI 2300 | Sociology of Health and Medicine | 4 |
| or SOCI 3250 | Cultural Anthropology | |
| Public Health Core and Concentration Courses | ||
| HLTH 1090 | Biostatistics 1 | 4 |
| HLTH 2050 | Foundations in Public Health | 4 |
| HLTH 3150 | Epidemiology | 4 |
| HLTH 3250 | Global Health | 4 |
| or HLTH 3210 | Health Communications | |
| HLTH 3350 | Environmental Health | 4 |
| HLTH 4700 | Practicum Preparation | 2 |
| HLTH 4754 | Practicum | 4 |
| HLTH 4800W | Senior Seminar in Public Health | 4 |
| BIOL 2610 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab 1 | 4 |
| MGMT 3850 | Healthcare Policy | 4 |
| or ECON 3250 | Healthcare Economics | |
| PSYC 2025 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology 1 | 4 |
| PSYC 3010 | Understanding Psychological Disorders 1 | 4 |
| One course related to the legal, economic and communication dimensions of health | 4 | |
| Graduate Courses Taken After Admission to Dual Degree Program | ||
| OCTH 5010 | Human Occupation 2 | 3 |
| OCTH 5200 | Mental and Behavioral Health | 3 |
| OCTH 5410 | Children, Adolescents, and Families | 3 |
| OCTH 5500 | Neuroscience | 3 |
| OCTH 5600 | Kinesiology for Rehabilitation | 3 |
| OCTH 6000 | Foundational Skills for Occupational Therapy Practice | 3 |
| OCTH 6010 | Seminar A: Entering the Profession | 1 |
| OCTH 6020 | Seminar B and Level I Fieldwork - Psychological and Social Factors Impacting Performance | 1 |
| OCTH 6310 | Evidence Based Practice | 3 |
| OCTH 6410 | Foundations of Research | 3 |
| OCTH 6610 | Rehabilitation Concepts | 3 |
| OCTH 6700 | Older Adults in Context | 3 |
| OCTH 7100 | Social Determinants of Health | 1 |
| OCTH 7900 | Doctoral Orientation Camp | 1 |
| Total Credits | 98 | |
Students who do not gain entry into the OTD EL program after their junior year complete the following courses for a major (B.S. degree) in public health: public policy:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| One additional social science course selected in consultation with advisor | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 4 | |
- 1
Meets OTD EL required prerequisite
- 2
Counts for one Public Health major course
Graduate OCTH Courses Taken after Completion of B.A. or B.S. Degree for Any of the Undergraduate Dual-Degree Programs Listed Above
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OCTH 5210 | Mental and Behavioral Health: The OT Process | 3 |
| OCTH 5450 | Children, Adolescents, and Families: The OT Process | 3 |
| OCTH 5560 | Participation and Technology | 3 |
| OCTH 6030 | Seminar C and Level I Fieldwork Practice Reflection | 1 |
| OCTH 6040 | Seminar D: Readiness for Level II Fieldwork | 1 |
| OCTH 6060 | Physical Assessment and Intervention Planning | 3 |
| OCTH 6615 | Rehabilitation Practices | 3 |
| OCTH 6620 | Ethical Management | 3 |
| OCTH 6710 | Older Adults - The OT Process | 3 |
| OCTH 7200 | Critical Issues | 1 |
| OCTH 7700 | Level II Fieldwork | 5 |
| OCTH 7710 | Level II Fieldwork | 5 |
| OCTH 8005 | Essential Knowledge and Competencies for Leadership | 3 |
| OCTH 8010 | Evolution of Ideas in Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| OCTH 8020 | Educational Methods | 3 |
| OCTH 8030 | Program Evaluation | 3 |
| OCTH 8040 | Organizations and Systems | 3 |
| OCTH 8050 | Advanced Practice | 3 |
| OCTH 8060 | Scoping Review Project | 3 |
| OCTH 8100 | Doctoral Capstone Experience A | 3 |
| OCTH 8150 | Doctoral Capstone Experience B | 3 |
| OCTH 8200 | Doctoral Capstone Project A | 1 |
| OCTH 8250 | Doctoral Capstone Project | 3 |
| OCTH 8300 | Doctoral Capstone Footprint | 1 |
| Total Credits | 66 | |