Introduction
Our Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program combines academics and clinical experiences to develop highly skilled practitioners.
Occupational therapists work with persons, groups and populations to enhance their ability to perform daily activities and participate in meaningful occupations, such as self-care, work, and leisure.
Students in the Rush University OTD program will have hands on clinical experiences every semester of the program including the following:
- Directed observations within Rush University Medical Center and community partners
- Group dynamics
- Fieldwork Experiences
- Individualized capstone experiences
These experiences expose you to diverse patient populations across a variety of settings, both on and off campus.
Rush OTD utilizes cutting-edge technology that bring the educational experience to a whole new level. This includes our Anatomage tables, Moxie Learning Robots, Virtual Reality, 3D printing and more.
Our commitment to providing the best resources for our students is unwavering, and these innovative learning supports are a testament to that dedication.
Our program is currently ranked among the top occupational therapy programs in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
You learn from faculty who are also practicing occupational therapists at one of the nation’s top academic medical centers, Rush University Medical Center.
Our program utilizes the practitioner-teacher-investigator model, which allows students to learn from faculty who are active in practice and affords students opportunities to engage in clinical experiences throughout each semester of the curriculum and actively engage in research.
The program’s NBCOT exam outcomes are consistently above the average national exam pass rates. You can view the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification pass rates for Rush graduates online.
Occupational Therapy Program Accreditation Summary
The entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program at Rush University has been approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
The entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program at Rush University is fully 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
Phone: 301-652-AOTA
| Graduation year | Students Matriculated (g2) | Students that Withdrew due to reasons not related to academic and clinical performance (g3) | Number of Graduates (g1) | Graduation Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 36 | 0 | 36 | 100% |
| 2021 | 36 | 1 | 34 | 97% |
| 2022 | 37 | 1 | 36 | 100% |
| 2023 | 38 | 0 | 38 | 100% |
| 2024 | 36 | 0 | 35** | 97% |
| 2025 | 36 | Not yet available | Not yet available | Not yet available |
| 2026 | 34 | Not yet available | Not yet available | Not yet available |
| 2027 | 40 | Not yet available | Not yet available | Not yet available |
* In Accordance with 2023 ACOTE Standard A.6.5 Graduation Rate is defined by the number of students who graduate on time (g1) divided by the number of students admitted in the original cohort (g2) minus the number of students who withdrew due to military, health, family issues, death and other reasons not related to academic and clinical performance (g3 .calculation per calendar year is = (g1/(g2-g3).
**One student in progress
3-Year Totals and Average Program Graduation Rates
| 3-Year Total Number of Students Matriculated (g2) | 3-Year Total Students that Withdrew due to reasons not related to academic and clinical performance (g3) | 3-Year Total Number of Graduates (g1) | 3-Year Average Graduation Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 111 | 1 | 109 | 99% |
* Graduation years 2022, 2023, 2024
** In Accordance with 2023 ACOTE Standard A.6.5 Graduation Rate is defined by the number of students who graduate on time (g1) divided by the number of students admitted in the original cohort (g2) minus the number of students who withdrew due to military, health, family issues, death and other reasons not related to academic and clinical performance (g3 .calculation per calendar year is = (g1/(g2-g3).
Program Length and Location
This is a full-time program with classes occurring Monday through Thursday.
Some additional Friday, evening or weekend hours may be required for the completion of academic and clinical assignments. You will be given ample notice.
Several of our courses have both asynchronous and synchronous sessions. Technology requirements for these courses and the entire program can be found below.
Collaborative strategies are commonly used in the curriculum, which means you need to work with your peers outside of scheduled class periods.
Hear from our chair & program director, meet our faculty, learn about our program highlights, and find answers to frequently asked questions about the program.
Program Tuition
At Rush University, we know your education is a big investment. We want to make sure you have all the information to be able to make the best financial decisions for you and your family.
Tuition for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program is $15,479 per term.
We do not charge additional fees. There are other costs to consider when applying for financial assistance, including the following:
- Books
- Supplies
- Rent
- Utilities
Tuition is subject to change.
Sarah Pyle was born at Rush University Medical Center 28 years ago. Exploring her varied interests, from music to swimming, led to discovering her dream profession in occupational therapy – and that road led her back to Rush.
Get Involved: Student Occupational Therapy Association
The Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) is a national organization for graduate students pursuing a career in occupational therapy. The mission of SOTA is to promote the value of occupational therapy services to the public and other healthcare professionals and enhance the quality of the students’ educational experience through local and national advocacy, community service and professional development.
Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Career Opportunities
Graduates have a 100% employment rate within six months of graduating.
They have accepted competitive positions in the Chicago area and across the country in the following settings:
- Community-based agencies
- Educational settings
- Hospitals
- Private practices
- Rehabilitation centers
- University clinics
Employment of occupational therapists is expected to grow 14% through 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is much faster than the average of other occupations.
College of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
College of Health SciencesEmerita Professor of A. Watson Armour III and Sarah ArmourDepartment of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences
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