Briar Cliff University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program is no longer accepting applications.

Why This Program?

Briar Cliff's Occupational Therapy program helps students become leading occupational therapists, serving others through ethical and inclusive practice. Students can expect:

Small class sizes, so they get more attention and help from faculty to grow personally and professionally.
A course schedule where students focus on just 1-2 courses at a time. They will take ~37 credits with physical therapy students.
Real-life experiences starting the first year with hands-on learning in the Briar Cliff Clinic which is one of the few student-run clinics in the nation.

Career Opportunities for OT

Median Pay

$86,000/year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Projected Growth

Projected to grow 12% in the next 10 years, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Ranking

Ranked the 4th best healthcare job (U.S. News and World Report).

Health Professional Recruitment Program

The Health Professional Recruitment Program (HPRP) was established to increase the number of athletic trainers, occupational therapists, physicians, physician assistants, podiatrists and physical therapists practicing in high-need communities in Iowa.

The maximum annual award through the state is $12,500 for up to four consecutive years (maximum of $50,000) which is paid toward outstanding Federal Stafford Loan and Grad PLUS Loan balances. In addition, the eligible community/clinic must agree to provide a dollar-for-dollar loan repayment match to state funds. Therefore, the maximum benefit to the graduate is $100,000 over four years. The application will be available through Iowa College Aid beginning January 1 and applications must be submitted by March 31 to guarantee consideration.

Click here to learn more about the program.

More About the Program

Discover the heart of Briar Cliff University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program, where Franciscan values guide a transformative educational experience. Rooted in interprofessional collaboration and centered around occupation, our program fosters a community-conscious environment that embraces diversity and inclusivity. Here, you'll evolve into a reflective practitioner and servant leader, equipped to critically analyze using evidence and occupation to enhance health and well-being among diverse and underserved communities.

Our curriculum stands out with its innovative approach, structured across five progressive levels of complexity. Starting from foundational knowledge in behavioral, health, and clinical sciences deeply connected with the core concept of occupation, you'll advance through domains of function and disability practice. Here, occupation is valued as pivotal in promoting health through active participation. As you progress, our program integrates life-span-based approaches, preparing you to address developmental stages and aging with occupational strategies.

From day one, you'll build a solid knowledge base and cultivate self-awareness through foundational content. Practical application and experiential learning in our practice courses will empower you to apply and refine your skills. You'll immerse yourself in real-world settings through integrated clinical placements, community-engaged experiences, and professional practice opportunities. This hands-on approach ensures you develop the theoretical knowledge and clinical competencies needed for autonomous practice.

Join us at Briar Cliff University to embark on a journey where compassion meets cutting-edge education in occupational therapy. Prepare to make a meaningful impact as you advance toward becoming a skilled professional dedicated to improving lives through the power of occupation.

OTD Curriculum

Course Layout by Semester

YEAR ONE: SUMMER	10 Credit Hours
OTD 520: Professional Formation Through Orientation and Personal Discovery	1
HSC 501: Human Anatomy for the Health Care Professional	7
OTD 500: Foundations of Human Occupation	2
YEAR ONE: FALL	18 Credit Hours
OTD 501: Foundations in Occupational Therapy	2
HSC 502: Human Physiology for the Health Care Professional	3
HSC 503: Human Neuroscience for the Health Care Professional	3
RHB 505: Normal Lifespan Development for the Rehabilitation Professional	3
RHB 506: Human Pathophysiology for the Rehabilitation Professional	3
OTD 521: Professional Formation Through Therapeutic Communications	2
OTD 522: Professional Formation Through Professional Behaviors	2
YEAR ONE: SPRING	18 Credit Hours
OTD 509: Human Kinesiology for Occupational Performance	3
HSC 521: Evidence-Based Practice for the Health Care Professional	2
HSC 522: Teaching and Learning for the Health Care Professional	1
RHB 560: Rehabilitation Scholarly Project Proposal	1
RHB 581: Healthcare Policy: Laws and Reimbursement for the Rehabilitation Professional	1
RHB 540: Foundational Rehabilitation Outcome Measures	3
RHB 541: Foundational Rehabilitation Interventions	4
OTD 502: Occupation for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention	2
OTD 523: Community-Engaged Correlations for the OTD Professional I	1
YEAR TWO: SUMMER	11 Credit Hours
HSC 620: Foundational Spanish for the Health Care Professional	1
OTD 620: Professional Formation Through Professional Practice	2
OTD 600: Occupation, Community, and Population Health	2
OTD 640: Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Occupational Participation	4
OTD 621: Community-Engaged Correlations for the OTD Professional II	2
YEAR TWO: FALL	14 Credit Hours
RHB 660: Rehabilitation Scholarly Project	3
OTD 641: Occupations, Environmental Adaptations, and Assistive Technology	2
OTD 642: Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Occupational Participation	3
OTD 643: Physical Rehabilitation and Occupational Participation	4
OTD 622: Community-Engaged Correlations for the OTD Professional III	2
YEAR TWO: SPRING	14 Credit Hours
RHB 680: Rehabilitation Practice Management	2
OTD 644: Neurological/Cognitive Rehabilitation and Occupational Participation	4
OTD 645: OT Practice for Productive Development with Children and Youth	3
OTD 646: OT Practice for Productive Aging with Older Adults	3
OTD 623: Community-Engaged Correlations for the OTD Professional IV	2
YEAR THREE: SUMMER	9 Credit Hours
Elective (complete 2 credits)
HSC 741: Service Learning (elective)	1
HSC 742: Independent Study (elective)	1
HSC 743: Pain Science (elective)	1
HSC 744: Trauma-Informed Care (elective)	1
OTD 742: Advanced Pediatric Occupational Therapy Practice	1
OTD 720: Community-Engaged Correlations for the OTD Professional V	3
OTD 721: Practice Immersion IIA	4
YEAR THREE: FALL	9 Credit Hours
OTD 722: Professional Practice Seminar	1
OTD 723: Practice Immersion IIB	4
OTD 724: Practice Immersion IIC	4
YEAR THREE: SPRING	9 Credit Hours
OTD 725: Professional Practice: Doctoral Capstone Experience and Project	7
OTD 760: Professional Practice: Doctoral Capstone Project Dissemination and Culmination	2
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS	112

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the OTD program, graduates will be able to:

Demonstrate the characteristics and aptitude to be a life-long learner to serve and engage with diverse, underserved populations using a client-centered approach. (Servant Leadership Theme)
Value the profession’s core of occupation by delivering occupation-centered practice to support the health and well-being of the recipients of occupational therapy services. (Occupation Thread)
Achieve entry-level competence and demonstrate skills to practice as a generalist in settings where occupational therapy is currently practiced or an emerging service. (Evidence-Informed Practice Thread)
Critically analyze and implement evidence into practice and contribute to the growth of clinical and community-centered scholarship. (Evidence-Informed Practice Thread)
Demonstrate leadership and management skills that influence policy and practice to promote equity in healthcare for individuals, communities, and populations. (Professional Formation Thread)
Demonstrate therapeutic use of self to effectively communicate with clients and the intra- and interprofessional care team to promote safe, ethical, quality services. (Professional Formation Thread)

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the degree of Doctor of Occupational Therapy from the Briar Cliff University OTD Program the following degree requirements must be accomplished:

Successful fulfillment of all graduate requirements of Briar Cliff University (see Briar Cliff University Academic Catalog)
Successful completion of the minimum 112 prescribed graduate credits and all required courses
Successful completion of a scholarly project with a grade of "Pass"
Successful completion of all practical examinations
Successful completion of a comprehensive examination
Successful competition of all clinical education experiences with a grade of "Pass"
Successful completion of a doctoral capstone education experience with a grade of "Pass"
Achievement of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better within 4.5 years of the student's initial admission into the program. No student will graduate with an incomplete grade in a course
Successful completion of all learning contracts to the satisfaction of the Progress and Retention Committee

OTD Mission, Vision, & Values

Briar Cliff University

Briar Cliff University is a community committed to higher education within a liberal arts and Catholic perspective. In the Franciscan tradition of service, caring, and openness to all, Briar Cliff emphasizes quality education for its students, combining a broad intellectual background with career development. The University challenges its members to grow in self-awareness and in their relationships to others and to God.

Learn More About Briar Cliff's Mission, Vision, and Values

OTD Program Mission

The Mission of Briar Cliff University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program is to embody the Franciscan values to provide an interprofessional, occupation-centered, and community-conscious education through an inclusive, learner-centered culture. Students professionally transform as reflective practitioners and servant leaders who critically think using evidence and occupation to promote health and well-being with diverse, underserved persons, groups, and populations.

OTD Program Vision

The vision of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at Briar Cliff University is to be recognized as a regional leader in occupational therapy education that provides a holistic, integrated clinical doctorate degree and prepares graduates to confidently serve underserved individuals and communities using occupation for disease prevention and health promotion.

OTD Program Values

Consistent with Briar Cliff University and the profession of occupational therapy, the OTD Program is founded upon the core values of justice, trust, respect, responsibility, integrity, and compassion. These values guide all program initiatives and ensure that the Program's mission, vision, goals, and outcomes are achieved.

Manuals, Policies, and Services

University Accreditation and Policies

Learn more about all university policies, including:

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University Academic Catalog

In the Briar Cliff University academic catalog, you'll find general university information, guidelines, majors, courses, academic requirements, etc. The catalog that pertains to you is based on the type of student you are and the year you enrolled at BCU.

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Briar Cliff Student Handbook

A guide to student rights, responsibilities and services at Briar Cliff University.

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Student Support Services

Briar Cliff University provides a broad range of support, from academic and advising to career and counseling.

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OTD COVID Vaccination Procedures

A guide to COVID vaccines and clinical site requirements.

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Read About the "Briar Cliff Difference"

Philosophy

Curriculum Design

Accreditation Statement

The Briar Cliff University entry-level doctoral occupational therapy degree (OTD) program has been granted Candidate for Accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510 E, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 652-AOTA. Candidate for Accreditation is a pre-accreditation status that indicates the program is progressing toward accreditation and may matriculate students in professional courses. Candidate for Accreditation does not assure eventual accreditation.

The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination 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). All states require licensure in order 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.

See the Accreditation Timeline Here

Doctor of Occupational Therapy | Direct and Indirect Expenses

The cost breakdown below outlines both the direct expenses Doctor of Occupational Therapy students will receive from Briar Cliff University and the other estimated living expenses that students will need to budget for each year they are in school. The total tuition and fees costs will vary depending on the credit hours and the total number of indirect expenses will vary with lifestyle of each student. The chart below will help you estimate your investment and create your budget plan.

Cohort Starting in 2025	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3
Tuition¹	$28,333	$28,333	$28,333
Estimated Indirect Costs²
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, & Equipment	$2,000	$1,500	$1,400
Transportation
Personal Expenses
Loan Fee
Off-Campus Living Expenses
With Parent Living Expenses

Tuition rates are maintained throughout the three years of the OTD program for the cohort starting June 2025.
Optional estimated indirect costs unique to student needs.

The information provided is not a bill. Briar Cliff University reserves the right to modify the cost of attendance without prior notice. Tuition and fees are re-assessed annually and are subject to change.

Rates do not include graduation application fee or cap and gown charges. Those are assessed if, and only if, a student does graduate and are not bundled into semester charges. If a course adds a specific course fee, those fees are in addition to the above charges. Estimated expenses are not required expenses. The estimated personal expenses includes Loan Fee Allowance and Personal Allowance. The Estimated Transportation & Travel includes health insurance, loan fees, immunizations, professional memberships, parking, clinical research travel and conference travel.

OTD Program Outcomes

Program outcomes concerning graduation rates and NBCOT certification exam results are updated and posted yearly. The OTD Program reports on data based on the academic year..

Briar Cliff University’s entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program admitted the first cohort in the Summer of 2023. The following table represents the final OTD degree candidates and graduation rates by year:

Graduation Year	# of students started	# of students graduated	Withdrew for non-academic reasons	Graduation Rate*	NBCOT Exam Pass Rate
2026	6	-	2	-	-
2027	5	-	-	-	-
2027	-	-	-	-	-
3-Year Total/Average

*Graduation rate is minus those who withdrew for reasons other than academic performance.

Program results from the National Board for Certification on Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination can be found online.

OTD Application Process

A rolling admissions process is used to process and review applications. Selected applicants will be invited to interview between September and March. Due to the rolling admissions process, all available seats in the program could be filled prior to February 1, therefore candidates are strongly encouraged to apply early.

Applicants must complete the application process on the Occupational Therapy Centralized Admission System (OTCAS) and have their application completed and verified to be considered for admissions. It can take several weeks for applications to be verified by OTCAS, so please plan accordingly.

Briar Cliff University's Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program is committed to offering equal opportunity to all and therefore encourages applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We value applicants from rural and underserved areas who appreciate different perspectives, are critical thinkers dedicated to their own learning, and are committed to serving and advocating for others through servant leadership.

Application Requirements

Applications to the Briar Cliff University OTD Program must meet the following admission requirements:

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution must be completed before your cohort begins in June (official transcript required).
A minimum cumulative and prerequisite GPA of 3.0 with a C or better in all prerequisite courses. Candidates must have completed the prerequisites in the last 10 years. We accept applications with prerequisites still in progress if we receive official transcripts showing successful completion (C or better) before program entry. Any prerequisite coursework completed in 2020 and thereafter and graded on a Pass/Fail basis due to COVID restrictions will be considered. Additional documentation may be required.
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation: Letter #1 from an occupational therapist (OTR) who was involved in the applicant’s occupational therapy experience hours. Letter #2 from a professor who instructed the applicant, an Academic Advisor, employer, or clergy.
Resume: 1-2 pages demonstrating lived experiences that match the mission and values of the Briar Cliff OTD Program
A minimum of 30 hours of experience and/or service within the last 5 years, observing an occupational therapist and/or volunteering service hours to community organizations in need of help. Occupational therapy observations can be completed in person, via telehealth, and/or up to 12 hours through webinars.

Essential Skills and Functions

This OTD program, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. It is the expectation that occupational therapy students must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, each of the expected essential functions in order to fully participate in and complete the graduation requirements for a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.

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Course Prerequisites

Students applying to the OTD program should earn a baccalaureate-level degree by June 1 prior to entrance into this program. Applicants are allowed to have no more than two outstanding prerequisite courses left to be taken in the spring semester prior to entrance into the program.

COURSE SUBJECT	LAB REQUIRED?	CREDIT HOURS
Anatomy	Yes	3
Physiology	Yes	3
Lifespan Psychology	No	3
Abnormal Psychology	No	3
Medical Terminology	No	1-3
Statistics or Research	No	3
Social Science (Sociology, Anthropology)	No	3
Writing (English/Composition/Public Speaking)	No	3
Biology (Advanced Level)	Yes	Recommended

Acceptance Checklist

If you are offered a position in the program and wish to accept, please complete the following steps to ensure you are ready to enroll.

1. Reserve Your Spot

Submit a $500, non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot in our next cohort.

2. Complete a criminal background check.

All students accepted into the OTD program must complete a background check through Certiphi Screening, Inc. This background check is a requirement of matriculation into the program and is at the expense of the student (cost is approximately $92).

When students begin their Level II Fieldwork in the OTD program, they may be required to complete an additional background check with the most up-to-date information based on the clinical education site.

3. Complete all required immunizations.

Students entering the OTD program are required to provide current proof of immunization prior to participating in any clinical education experience. No drug testing is currently required for enrollment at Briar Cliff University, but students are responsible for obtaining any additional immunizations or drug testing that may be required at a clinical education site. The following immunizations and tests are required, and must be valid throughout each clinical education experience: DTaP (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) 1&2, TB skin test (within 6 months of enrollment), Polio, Hepatitis B (full series plus titer), and Varicella (Chicken Pox). Please see OTD COVID Vaccination Procedures.

4. Prove active certification in CPR/AED.

5. Submit Final Transcripts

Students must supply an official transcript demonstrating graduation from accredited undergraduate institution & completion of all prerequisite courses. Transcript must be an official transcript sent directly to BCU from the degree-granting institution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Briar Cliff University on Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS)? Briar Cliff will be on the OTCAS web-based application system when applications open in July of each year. To apply to our OTD program, you will need to use the OTCAS web-based application.
Do you require the GRE? GRE scores are not required to apply to the OTD program. Any GRE scores received by