We educate leaders in occupational therapy through innovative experience-based education and research to advance the science of OT, and foster the health and quality of life of individuals, communities, and societies. We value empathy, expertise, teamwork, results, and leadership.
Welcome to the Occupational Therapy Program
The mission of the University of Minnesota Occupational Therapy Program (OT) is to educate leaders in occupational therapy through innovative experience-based education and research to advance the science of OT, and foster the health and quality of life of individuals, communities, and societies. We value empathy, expertise, teamwork, results, and leadership.
Our program offers a 37 month, 116 credit, graduate-level professional program completed over nine semesters. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this examination, the graduate will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR).
Alumni in Action - Rebeca Chery Mask
Alumni in Action features stories about some of our graduates over the years.
Learn why Rebeca Chery Mask's, Class of 2012, graduate school experience at the University of Minnesota - Rochester was enhanced and impactful due to the diversity of students in the program. Rebeca recounts that her classmates came from many different educational backgrounds, which was an asset to the learning experience.
UMN Occupational Therapy Students Serve Patients in the Community Who Have a Range of Needs
Doctoral-Degree-Level Occupational Therapy Program
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 24 months following the completion of semester 8 of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II Fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.
Our graduated students consistently achieve high National Board for Certification in Occupation Therapy (NBCOT) scores, and have significant career placement success, reporting near 100 percent job placement in OT practice positions.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be an Occupational Therapist registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification examination or attain state licensure.
To find out more about program NBCOT exam results, visit the NBCOT exam results page and choose Minnesota and OT Doctorate Level programs from the drop down lists.
NBCOT
12 South Summit Ave.
Suite 100
Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150
info@nbcot.org
OTD Retention Rate:
| Year Entered | #Entered | Returned for Year 2 | Returned for Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 50 | 50 (100%) | 47 (94%) |
| 2020 | 49 | 47 (96%) | 45 (92%) |
| 2021 | 47 | 47 (100%) | 47 (100%) |
| 2022 | 41 | 38 (93%) | N/A (Fall 2024) |
| 2023 | 36 | N/A (Fall 2024) | N/A (Fall 2024) |
Note: only students enrolled in coursework after the drop/add period of the specified semester are counted. Students who have withdrawn, been suspended or dismissed, or are on a leave of absence are not counted in the returning number. This means, even if they are not included in the retention number, it is possible a student may still return to the program to complete their degree.
Occupational Therapy Doctorate Graduation Rates
Graduation rates represent a percentage of students within a cohort who graduate, compared to the number who began the cohort within 150% of the published end of the program. Students who did not complete the curriculum within this time period may have withdrawn, taken a leave of absence, or otherwise have left the curriculum. The first admitted OTD cohort will graduate in Summer 2022.
| Calendar Year of Graduation | Students Graduating/Entering | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 47/50 | 94% |
| 2023 | 44/49 | 90%* |
| 2024 | 0/49 | n/a |
| Total (three year average) | 0/148 | 92% |
Updated May 7, 2024
The cost categories are estimates and are meant to assist preparing a personal budget. Individual student costs will vary. Visit the One Stop Student Services website to estimate tuition for our program.
In addition to general tuition and fees of the University, there are fees charged for individual occupational therapy courses. To identify which courses have additional fees, visit the One Stop course fees web site. Each year in July, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents approves the tuition and fees for the next academic year. Tuition and Fees are subject to change. More information about Occupational Therapy costs and fees can be found one the One Stop costs, tuition, and fees page. OTD-specific fee information will be posted each Summer.
The tables below are based upon one of three plan options to complete the degree. All options equal the same total number of credits, but the tuition varies per semester based upon the student’s individual course plan.
MN Resident Cost of Attendance (based on 2023-2024 fee structure)
| Fall Tuition | Fall Fees | Spring Tuition | Spring Fees | Summer Tuition | Summer Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,123.00 | $1,260.30 | $13,123.00 | $1,260.30 | $9,186.00 | $1,260.30 | $39,212.90 |
| Year 2 | $13,123.00 | $1,260.30 | $13,123.00 | $1,260.30 | $9,186.00 | $1,260.30 | $39,212.90 |
| Year 3 | $13,123.00 | $1,260.30 | $13,123.00 | $1,283.30 | $9,186.00 | $1,260.30 | $39,235.90 |
| $117,661.00 |
* The data is calculated for Twin Cities students. The amount will be lower for Rochester students. Does not include the cost of health insurance.
View the University of Minnesota's reciprocity program information.
Non-MN Resident Cost of OT Attendance (based on 2022-2023 fee structure)
| Fall Tuition | Fall Fees | Spring Tuition | Spring Fees | Summer Tuition | Summer Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $19,716.00 | $1,260.30 | $19,716.00 | $1,260.30 | $13,801.00 | $1,260.30 | $57,013.90 |
| Year 2 | $19,716.00 | $1,260.30 | $19,716.00 | $1,260.30 | $13,801.00 | $1,260.30 | $57,013.90 |
| Year 3 | $19,716.00 | $1,260.30 | $19,716.00 | $1,283.30 | $13,801.00 | $1,260.30 | $57,036.65 |
| $171,064.45 |
Fall and Spring Semesters
| 2022-2023 MN Resident | 2022-2023 Non-MN Resident | 2023-2024 MN Resident | 2023-2024 Non-MN Resident | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tuition | $12,756 | $19,164.00 | $13,123.00 | $19,716.00 | Per Semester (Fall and Spring) |
| Academic Health Sciences | $185.00 | $185.00 | $185.00 | $185.00 | Per Semester |
| Student Services Fee (TC Students only) | $498.55 | $498.55 | $525.30 | $525.30 | Per Semester |
Other University Fees (approximate) | $370 | $370 | $400 | $400 | Per Semester |
| Rochester Student Fee (Rochester Students Only) | $168.00 | $168.00 | $377.00 | $377.00 | Per Semester |
| Health Insurance (required if you are not otherwise covered) | $1,734.00 | $1,734.00 | $1,795.00 | $1,795.00 | Per Semester |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 | Estimated Per Semester |
| Admission Application Fee (One Time) | $50.00 | $50.00 | $50.00 | $50.00 | One time fee |
| Non-Refundable Tuition Deposit (One time fee. Credit toward first semester admission) | $500.00 | $500.00 | $500.00 | $500.00 | One time fee |
| Course Fees | $120.00 | $120.00 | $172.75 | $172.75 | One time fee |
Summer Semester
| 2022-2023 MN Resident | 2022-2023 Non MN Resident | 2023-2024 MN Resident | 2023-2024 Non-MN Resident | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $1,063.00 | $1,597.00 | $9,186.00 (Flat Rate) | $13,801.00 (Flat Rate) | Per Credit |
| Academic Health Sciences Collegiate Fee | $185.00 | $185.00 | $185.00 | $185.00 | Each Summer Term |
| Student Services Fee (Twin Cities Fees) | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | Paid during Fall and Spring |
| Other University Fees | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | Each Summer Term |
| Rochester Student Fee (Rochester Students Only) | $0.00 | $0.00 | $377.00 | $377.00 | Paid during Fall and Spring |
| Health Insurance (required if you are not otherwise covered) | $884.00 | $884.00 | TBD | TBD | Each Summer Term (if not purchased in previous Spring) |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 | Estimated Per Term |
| Course Fees | $120.00 | $120.00 | $172.50 | $172.50 | $150/Semester Clinical Fee |