Loras College and St. Ambrose University (SAU) are expanding their partnership and using an innovative hybrid delivery model that will allow students in SAU’s accredited doctor of occupational therapy (OTD) program with an early admission pathway to the program for accepted high school and first-year students.
The agreement offers the opportunity for Loras students to earn a bachelor’s and OTD degree in six years, one year less than typical, through a 3+3 dual degree program. Through this agreement, students would begin at St. Ambrose or Loras for their first three years of undergraduate coursework. If accepted to the SAU’s OTD program, Loras students may begin the program in their fourth year earning their bachelor’s degree from Loras at the conclusion of the fourth year, before completing the last two years of the OTD degree program. Pending approvals, students will be able to complete on-campus courses at either St. Ambrose University or at Loras College as early as August 2024. A 4+3 option is also available for students who prefer the traditional timeline for earning both degrees.
High school students accepted at Loras College and first-year Loras students who plan to pursue a doctoral degree in OT will receive automatic, conditional admission if they meet and continue to maintain the requirements listed on the St. Ambrose OTD website, the same pathways available to St. Ambrose students. High school students interested in receiving admission must complete the automatic, conditional admission request form by March 1 of their senior year in high school. First-year Loras students interested in receiving automatic, conditional admission must complete the automatic, conditional admission request form by June 1 following their first year.
Current Loras College juniors, seniors, or graduate students or Loras alumni can also apply for an early admission decision to the OTD program through the Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service (OTCAS).
For more information, visit loras.edu/occupational-therapy.
St. Ambrose University and Loras College are both members of the Iowa Catholic Collegiate Association, sharing a purpose to ensure Catholic higher education continues to provide students with collegiate experiences that promote the integration of faith and reason.
To learn more about St. Ambrose University, visit sau.edu. To learn more about Loras College, visit loras.edu.
