Occupational Therapy
Lead Change. Design Impact. Transform Lives.
Detroit Mercy's Occupational Therapy Program is designed for the next generation of changemakers in healthcare – innovators, leaders and advocates who understand that well-being is shaped not only by what people do each day, but by the communities that surround us.
Grounded in an understanding that health is shaped by people and places, and powered by human-centered design, our program blends science, compassion and creativity to advance health and participation for all.
Two Pathways. One Transformative Experience.
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD): 8 semesters
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT): approximately 5 semesters
Whether you pursue the master's or doctoral degree path, you'll gain hands-on experience, community-based learning and mentorship that prepare you to thrive in today's dynamic healthcare landscape.
Built on Human-Centered Design
Our curriculum is intentionally designed around students, clients and communities to ensure that every learning experience is relevant, flexible and engaging.
Engaged Learning
Interactive labs, real-world projects and Detroit-based partnerships that put you at the center of community transformation – living out our commitment to serving and leading in Detroit.
Career Readiness
Evidence-based, innovative practice across diverse settings guided by principles of mercy, compassion and justice.
Well-Being & Belonging
A supportive, inclusive environment that values the whole person and cultivates genuine belonging across differences.
Join the Future of Occupational Therapy
At Detroit Mercy, youll learn to design solutions that make a difference — for individuals, families, and communities.
Be part of a program built for the future of health, grounded in the heart of Detroit.
*The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation 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 acoteonline.org.
The program is scheduled to launch in May 2027. The UDM Entry-Level OTD Program has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Pending approval, the inaugural cohort would graduate in Fall 2029.
The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.