Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Des Moines University’s doctor of occupational therapy graduates will support the health, well-being and occupational engagement of all people, communities and populations as compassionate and competent leaders in occupational therapy. The curriculum consists of 33 months of rigorous study, divided into eight terms.
With a focus on hands-on experience and a comprehensive curriculum, we are committed to providing you with the knowledge and skills you need to make a positive impact on the lives of those you serve.
Since 1898, DMU has built its reputation as a top medical university by producing expert practitioners and health care professionals. When it recently became clear that the demand for occupational therapists was rising, DMU stepped up and created a quality occupational therapy doctoral degree program to help fill that need.
While still completing the multi-year accreditation process, DMU’s O.T.D. program anticipates being fully accredited by December 2025.
One way DMU continues to transform health sciences education is to evolve the way we teach by giving students options that best meet their needs. Students in the O.T.D. program can choose a Traditional Campus Pathway or a Hybrid Pathway for their doctor of occupational therapy degree.
Traditional Campus Pathway
Students who choose the traditional campus pathway engage in most classes and laboratory sessions face-to-face on the DMU campus.
Hybrid Pathway
Students who choose the hybrid pathway engage in class sessions virtually (synchronously or asynchronously) and attend laboratory sessions face-to-face on the DMU campus. Laboratory sessions generally occur two consecutive days per week.
Both pathways are a part of the same student cohort and follow the same full-time schedule. Students from both pathways come together for weekly laboratory sessions.
DMU is committed to preparing you to lead meaningful change as a forward-thinking professional in the growing field of occupational therapy. At DMU, you will:
The facilities, technology and labs at DMU’s newly constructed campus have been intentionally designed to enrich the learning environment of all our programs. This applies especially to the O.T.D. degree. Students have access to the teaching kitchen, home care laboratory, therapy pool and simulation facilities to practice therapy techniques in safe learning environments. In addition, clinical learning spaces optimize realistic case scenarios involving diverse people and conditions.
Our curriculum is divided into three main areas:
Within each area, we offer a variety of courses to help you develop the expertise needed to succeed in your career.
Our constantly evolving curriculum means your O.T.D. will reflect the latest methodology and practice in occupational therapy — and when you graduate, you’ll be well compensated for the skills and knowledge you bring to the table.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
DMU is one of the best medical and health sciences universities in the nation. With a student body made up entirely of graduate students, you can be certain our curriculum has been designed to reflect how we know adults learn.
You’ll have opportunities to think and reflect critically. You’ll learn through errors and purposeful practice. You’ll revisit and build upon new concepts and relate your experiences and motivations for becoming an occupational therapist to course content. We help you make connections between what you already know, what you are learning and where you want to go.
The new campus and its technology are second to none. That’s a big reason I believe DMU will help me further my education and career more than other schools.
- Kaci Behrens, Member of the Inaugural O.T.D. Class
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation. It has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education of the American Occupational Therapy Association, located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number is 301-652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. DMU’s O.T.D. program anticipates being fully accredited by December 2025.
In addition, DMU submitted an application for the O.T.D. program to the Higher Learning Commission and has been approved.
At DMU, we are committed to helping you achieve your career goals. Our dedicated faculty and staff are here to support you every step of the way. Apply now to join our O.T.D. program and take the first step toward a rewarding career as an occupational therapist!
