The M.S. program features:  

• 67 credits, 24 months to completion, two days per week block schedule on campus*, and a culminating project portfolio.  

The OTD program features:  

• 87 credits, 30 months to completion, two days per week block schedule on campus*, and a doctoral capstone experience and project.  

Features of Both Programs:

• Individual attention from faculty to support you to achieve success
• A faculty-arranged, 6-month fieldwork experience where you can put textbook knowledge into practice
• Online distance learning during your fieldwork that connects classroom knowledge to fieldwork practice
• Faculty who have exceptional practice expertise, preparing graduates to navigate complex practice in diverse settings
• State of the art technology to enhance your educational experiences

*Block schedule does not apply during Level II fieldwork (full-time) or doctoral capstone experience completion.  

Accreditation

Master of Science (M.S.):

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s 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 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.

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD):

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 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.

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork and an individual 14-week capstone experience within 24 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be completed by 12 months from the time the student is eligible to begin the doctoral capstone experience. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as defined in 2023 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.

The Occupational Therapy program reviews completed applications once each year for admission to the professional-entry M.S. and OTD program. The application deadline is January 15 each year. If space is available, applications will be accepted after this deadline. Contact the Occupational Therapy Department to inquire if space is available at mmu-ot@mtmary.edu or (414) 930-3059. A maximum of 48 students are admitted to begin the program each summer (June).

Current Mount Mary University undergraduate students should contact the Graduate Admissions office (mmugradinfo@mtmary.edu) for guidance in application steps.

Cost of Attendance, 2025-2026 academic year:

 Cost of Attendance, 2026-2027 academic year:

 Cost of Attendance, 2027-2028 academic year:

Total cost of attendance - Master of Science: $65,520*

Total cost of attendance - Occupational Therapy Doctorate: $91,396*

*Published costs are estimated and subject to change. Cost of attendance is offered to prospective students for planning purposes. Actual costs may vary depending on courses enrolled in, sequence courses are completed, and total credits completed.

For more information about program outcomes for Occupational Therapy, please visit the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) website: https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance 

Graduation Rates - Master of Science (M.S.):

Graduation Rates - Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD):

How to Apply

Applying to Mount Mary's Occupational Therapy M.S. and OTD programs is through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). The following materials need to be submitted to OTCAS to complete the application process:

1. All College and University Transcripts. Submit official transcripts from allcolleges and universities attended.
2. Recommendations. Submit three (3) recommendations/evaluations as required in OTCAS.
3. Personal Statement as required in OTCAS.
4. Experience or exposure with Occupational Therapy.This can occur by completing one of the following:

• Shadow an occupational therapist and submit Shadowing Forms A and B (PDF)
• Provide evidence of completion of CBL consulting and training module https://www.committobettering.com/offers/CjBL9ypc/checkout
• Complete an OT Orientation course (OCT101)

Behavioral Science

• Developmental Psychology (must be a lifespan course)
• Psychopathology/Abnormal Psychology

Biological Science

• Human Anatomy/A&P I
• Human Physiology/A&P II

Foundational Skills

• Statistics
• Physics

*Medical terminology is highly recommended.

Note: All prerequisite coursework must be complete and a grade received on an official transcript by the time of the application review date. Please review the Occupational Therapy Admission Policy for details on the admission process, policies, and for more details on prerequisite course grade requirements for admission.

Applicants are notified by mail or email approximately 4 weeks after the deadline date regarding an admission decision.

Kari C. Inda, Ph.D., OTR/L, CEAS 
Chair/Professor/Post-Professional Program Director
indak@mtmary.edu 

Meghan Anderson, PP-OTD, OTR/L 
Assistant Professor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator 
andersom@mtmary.edu 

Stephanie Beisbier, PP-OTD, OTR/L 
Professor, Professional Entry Program Director 
beisbies@mtmary.edu 

Katelyn Brady, PP-OTD, OTR/L 
Assistant Professor, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator 
bradyk@mtmary.edu 

Julie H. Hunley, Ph.D., OT/L, CLT    
Professor 
hunleyj@mtmary.edu 

Jennifer L. Kinkade, PP-OTD, OTR/L 
Assistant Professor 
kinkadej@mtmary.edu

Heather Martin, PP-OTD, OTR/L 
Assistant Professor 
martinh@mtmary.edu 

Kelly Stapelman, PP-OTD, OTR/L 
Assistant Professor, Doctoral Capstone Coordinator 
stapelmk@mtmary.edu 

Cynthia Steinert, PP-OTD, OTR/L, CLT 
Assistant Professor 
steinerc@mtmary.edu 

Rita Burlingame-Toppen, PP-OTD, OTR/L, CYT 
Assistant Professor 
burlingr@mtmary.edu 

Mitchell Voss, PP-OTD, OTR/L 
Assistant Professor, Post-Professional Master's Program Coordinator 
vossm@mtmary.edu 

Occupational therapists are in high demand nationally, and Mount Mary occupational therapists are in even higher demand. Many organizations have stated a preference for hiring Mount Mary graduates due to their reputation for being exceptional, creative practitioners. 

According to 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for occupational therapy professionals is $98,340. Note: this figure represents professionals who have earned master’s degrees or above.