Walker College of Health Professions · Freshman Direct Entry

Occupational Therapy Freshman Direct Entry

Program Overview

Strengthening the Body and Mind.

Maryville's Occupational Therapy Freshman Direct Entry program combines undergraduate and graduate study to prepare you for a career as an occupational therapist. You'll build a strong foundation in psychology, science and mathematics before progressing into Maryville's Master of Occupational Therapy program.

What sets the program apart

    • Secure a direct pathway into Maryville's Master of Occupational Therapy program
    • Build a strong foundation in psychology, science and mathematics
    • Learn through project-based experiences and professional partnerships
    • Prepare for a rewarding career helping people improve their daily lives

An Overview of Occupational Therapy at Maryville

 
[WHOOSHING] Occupational therapy is a health care profession that focuses on helping people of all ages participate in the things they need and want to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Occupational therapy is important because it focuses on helping people do the things that are important to them. Occupational therapists ask, what matters to you, not what's the matter with you? At Maryville, we emphasize personal and professional development with our students. You will develop the soft skills that employers are looking for in new employees. Our class cohorts have 40 students in them. This allows us to have small class sizes. We also emphasize the use of technology as a tool to assist with learning. An exciting aspect of occupational therapy is the variety of settings in which you can choose to work. Settings include hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home health, and school systems to name a few. Our program has a number of community partners that we utilize as part of the educational process. Community partners provide the opportunity to learn specific skills, engage in the process of program development, and conduct research. If you're interested in the occupational therapy program at Maryville University, stop by and take a tour.
Why Maryville

Why Choose Maryville for Occupational Therapy?

Class Size14

Average Class Size

SupportLife Coaching Team

A dedicated team of life coaches helps you personalize your education

Career Outcomes98%

Career outcomes rate for Maryville graduates

Financial Aid$59M+

Awarded in scholarships and aid last year

Get Started

Ready to apply or want to visit campus?

We've made it easy: free transcript evaluation, quick admission decisions, and no application fee.

  • Upcoming term starts:
  • Fall 2026 Start Date: August 24
  • Spring 2027 Start Date: January 11
Career Outlook

What can I do with this degree?

Occupational therapists help people of all ages develop, recover and maintain the skills needed for everyday life.

Maryville's direct-entry program prepares students academically and professionally for graduate occupational therapy education and future clinical practice.

Career Paths

Help people develop, recover and improve the skills needed for everyday living and working.
Support children in developing motor, sensory and daily living skills.
$98,340Median annual wage

Occupational therapists earned a median annual wage of $98,340 in May 2024.

11%Projected job growth

Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 11% from 2024 to 2034.

9,800Annual job openings

About 9,800 openings for occupational therapists are projected each year, on average.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections, 2024–2034. Salary and employment data are national estimates and may vary by occupation, employer, experience and geographic location.

Tuition, Cost & Savings

How you can afford an education.

An investment in your future shouldn't be out of reach. Maryville offers multiple paths to reduce your out-of-pocket cost — and our team will help you find every one you qualify for.

Ways to Save

Scholarship OpportunitiesMerit and need-based awards for qualifying students.
Transfer CreditApply previously earned credits toward your degree.
Benefits for MilitaryTuition assistance and GI Bill benefits for those who served.

Estimated tuition cost breakdown

Full-Time Tuition$25,766
Fees*$2,600
Estimated total cost**$28,366

*Fees can include digital course materials and textbooks/lab materials.

**Estimated cost does not include room and board or meal plans.

Explore additional tuition and costs

Need help financing your education? Get in touch!

Our financial aid advisors are here to walk you through scholarships, grants, and aid options for the Occupational Therapy program.

Accreditation

Maryville is accredited.

Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Honors & Rankings

  • Kiplinger Best College Values 2019Ranked among the best values in private colleges by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.
  • Forbes America's Top Colleges 2018Ranked among “America's Top Colleges” by Forbes.
  • Ranked No. 1 in social mobility among private universities in St. Louis.
  • Best for Vets Colleges  2022 Military Times. We made the list!Named Best for Vets among colleges by Military Times.
Review Maryville's full list of honors and rankings
Take the Next Step

Ready to take the next step?

Apply today, request more information, or schedule a visit to see if Maryville is the right fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students complete undergraduate coursework designed to prepare them for entry into Maryville's Master of Occupational Therapy program.
The program is built on a psychology foundation because it prepares students for the academic and clinical demands of graduate occupational therapy education.
Yes. Students participate in project-based learning and gain experience through professional partnerships with healthcare organizations.
Students benefit from partnerships with organizations including St. Luke's Hospital, SSM Health, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Mercy.
Yes. After successfully completing the direct-entry pathway and meeting progression requirements, students continue into Maryville's Master of Occupational Therapy program.
The program prepares students to become licensed occupational therapists working in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, outpatient clinics and community settings.