Occupational Therapy Schools in Nebraska

The Nebraska state has 3 ACOTE accredited Occupational therapy Schools which provides an entry-level master degree or Doctor of Occupational therapy program. Plus, the state also has 1 ACOTE accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Schools which provides an associate degree. The license to practice as an OT or OTA is compulsory for the passed out students of OT schools.

The 3 Occupational therapy schools in Nebraska are-

1. Creighton University
2. College of Saint Mary and
3. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health.

Occupational therapy in Nebraska-

The occupational therapist, Occupational therapy assistant, and OT/OTA students have their own state association, i.e. NOTA (Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association).

The NOTA is a non-profit volunteer organization which provides a professional community for its members. The NOTA is a state-based professional organization and public voice for the occupational therapy profession in Nebraska.

The main role of the association is to promote the occupational therapy profession, create public awareness, provide support to the therapist in continuing education and improve and maintain the quality of occupational therapy profession in the state of Nebraska. The NOTA is an affiliated state body of the American Occupational therapy association.

Website – www.notaonline.org

Occupational therapy License in Nebraska-

Occupational therapist and Occupational therapy Assistants are required to get a license from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

The minimum requirements for the license are –

• Entry-level master degree or OTD degree
• NBCOT exam’s passing certificate.
• Application fees of $120.

Temporary OT/OTA License:

A temporary license to practice as an occupational therapist (OT) or as an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) may be granted to persons who have completed the educational and experience requirements for licensure and are waiting to take or receive the results of the certification examination. The temporary permit is valid until the date the results of the exam are available to the Department for the first exam administered after the issuance of the temporary permit.

Temporary license fee- $25.

Occupational Therapy Schools in Nebraska

#1 Creighton University
The OT school at Creighton University first offered an entry-level doctor of occupational therapy program in the USA. The OT school is famous for its reputation for the OTD program and different pathways for entry. The OT school offers four pathways leading to the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree. The pathways are-

• Entry-level OTD program – Full time, Traditional Campus Setting.
• Entry-level Distance OTD program- Alaska*
• Entry-level Distance OT program- Greater Omaha^
• Entry-level Distance OTD Program – Regis*

* Distance education track offered in Anchorage, Alaska, and Regis University.

For all pathways, course lectures are available to students online at their preferred times and locations.

Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
Courses Offered–	Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD- entry level); Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD- Post-professional)
University Campus	Omaha, Nebraska
Public or Private-	Private Institute.
Director-	Angela M. Bahle-Lampe, OTD, OTR/L
Course Duration-	OTD- 3-year program.
Class Size	85 students per year.
OT Admission	Once a year (Fall).
Application Procedure	Submit an online application through the OTCAS. A personal Interview.
Minimum Requirement (OTD)	A baccalaureate degree; A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; 3 letters of recommendation; OT observation record; Immunization records; Technical Standards.
Prerequisite Coursework (OTD)	Human Anatomy; Psychology; Statistics or research; Culture, Ideas and/or civilizations; Theology, Philosophy and/or physics; English Composition; Medical Terminology.
Address	School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. Department of Occupational Therapy 2500 California Plaza Omaha, NE 68178-0259 Email- [email protected]
Website	spahp.creighton.edu

#2 College of Saint Mary

The occupational therapy school at College of Saint Mary offers a combined BS/MS program (Bachelor’s Degree in Rehabilitative Science and Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy)

College of Saint Mary’s occupational therapy program is a unique, 5-year combined BS/MS degree program. When you apply and are accepted, you will enroll in the bachelor’s degree in a Rehabilitative science program, then move automatically into the master of occupational therapy (MSOT) program.

College of Saint Mary
Course Offered–	BS/MS combined Occupational Therapy degree
University Campus	Omaha, Nebraska
Public or Private-	Private Non-for-profit Institute.
Director-	Dr. Kristin Haas
Course Duration-	BS/MS- 5-year program.
Class Size	60 students per year.
OT Admission	Once a year (Fall).
Application Procedure	Submit an online application to the college.
Minimum Requirement (BS)	Cumulative college GPA of 3.0 Completion of at least 12 credits of general education courses. Math and English: Exemption by ACT scores (19 for Math and 21 for English), transfer of English Composition or Intermediate Algebra or successful completion of both the CSM mathematics and English competency examinations. Ability to comply with the CSM OT Program Functional Expectations.
Address	Occupational Therapy Program 7000 Mercy Road Omaha, NE 68106-2606 Email- [email protected]
Website	www.csm.edu

#3 Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health

The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program at Nebraska Methodist College has recently applied for accreditation and has been granted pre-accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health
Course Offered–	Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT- entry level)
University Campus	Omaha, Nebraska
Public or Private-	Private Not-for-profit Institute.
Director-	Melissa Kimmerling, MOT, EdD
Course Duration-	2-year program.
Class Size	——–
OT Admission	Once a year (Fall).
Application Procedure	Submit an online application through the OTCAS. A personal Interview.
Minimum Requirement (MOT)	BA or BS degree (or higher) in a related field from an accredited university or college; Cumulative GPA of 3.0 with a minimum Math/Science GPA of 3.25 preferred; 2 letters of recommendations; A resume; Fulfillment of program technical standards; No GRE required for admission.
Prerequisite Coursework (MOT)	Math/Sciences Required Courses: Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab; One course of Biology or Physical Science with Lab; Research Methods* (this course must be a standalone research course); Statistics; One course of Kinesiology or Biomechanics. Psychology and Social Sciences: 3 Psychology courses (must include general, developmental/lifespan and abnormal psychology); Sociology or Anthropology; Speaking/Speech/Communication Course. General Courses: Medical Terminology; Ethics, Theology or Philosophy.
Address	Occupational Therapy Program 720 North 87th Street Omaha, NE 68114 (402) 354-7024
Website	www.methodistcollege.edu

Occupational Therapy Assistant School in Nebraska-

#1 Central Community College, Grand Island Campus
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
3134 West Highway 34
PO Box 4903
Grand Island, NE 68802-4903

Occupational Therapist jobs in Nebraska-

The outlook for occupational therapy employment is very good in Nebraska. The United States’s Bureau of Labor Statistics includes occupational therapy as one of its fastest-growing occupations, with registered occupational therapists predicted to have a faster than average growth (21- 36%). Many Health Care Recruitment providers have reported a shortage of occupational therapists and OTA in Nebraska.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 980 employed and licensed occupational therapists in Nebraska in May 2016. And the requirement of license practitioner is increasing. Huge opportunities are there in Nebraska for the occupational therapist and occupational therapy Assistant.

Occupational Therapy Salary in Nebraska-

As per indeed.com, the average salary of an occupational therapist in Nebraska were $77,000 per annum (in 2016) and According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual and hourly income of occupational therapy professionals were $75,810 and $36.45, respectively in May 2016.