MOT Home

Overview, History & Accreditation

Curriculum

Admission Requirements

One Price Tuition Plan

Meet the Faculty

Research Network

OT Fieldwork

Pi Theta Epsilon 

OT Photos from Hooding

AOTA American Occupational Therapy Association

Iowa Occupational Therapy Association

Illinois Occupational Therapy Association

WFOT             World Federation Occupational Therapists Assosiacion

St. Ambrose is pleased to offer the only master of occupational therapy program in Iowa.

 History | Accreditation | Mission Statement

Overview
Occupational Therapy is a health and rehabilitation profession that helps people regain, develop and build skills that are important for independent functioning, health, well being, security and happiness. Occupational Therapists address psychological, social, physical and environmental factors that impede independent functioning in all aspects of life. This unique perspective is reflected in our curriculum design.

Prior to entering the masters of occupational therapy program, students receive a strong foundation in the liberal arts, completing a minimum of two years of prerequisite coursework. The professional phase of the program is arranged in life-span development and includes five semesters on campus and one semester of full-time field work (24 weeks).

With this three year format, students will have the opportunity to complete their undergraduate degree, enroll in electives, special topics or independent study courses that will enrich their educational experience. 

In addition to this, the OT program has an assistive technology lab that serves as a resource center offering free assisstive technology services to healthcare professionals and the community. Students will have the opportunity to study and work in this area.

History
In response to urgent local and regional needs for trained health professionals, St. Ambrose established a bachelor of science in occupational therapy (BSOT) degree program in 1987. The first class graduated in 1991.

In 1997, in recognition of an ever-increasing emphasis on professional and advanced training, the program evolved to offer graduate-level coursework leading to a masters of occupational therapy (MOT) degree. St. Ambrose offers the only master of occupational therapy program in Iowa.

View a Power Point presentation on the MOT program at St. Ambrose. 

Accreditation

St. Ambrose University's Master of Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA):

• 4720 Montgomery Lane
  PO Box 31220
  Bethesda, MD 20824-1220
  301/652-2682

Program graduates are 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 (OTR).  In Iowa, and in most states, a professional license is also required for practice. The NBCOT exam typically serves as the licensing exam but students will need to apply separately for licensure. Please note that students will be asked to answer questions related to felony convictions. A previous felony conviction may affect a students ability to set for the NBCOT certification exam or attain state licensure.

Mission Statement

The Department of Occupational Therapy reflects the institutional commitments to excellence in teaching, learning, and service to others.  The masters program in occupational therapy advances the St. Ambrose mission through three major endeavors: (1) providing quality educational experiences in an intimate learning environment that enhances the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual development of students (2) promoting the public good by educating students to become competent, ethical, sensitive professionals capable of influencing the health and well-being of individuals and society, and (3) by infusing students with high aspirations and commitment to engage in best practices through life-long learning in order to address challenges to occupational performance now and in the future.