LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Allied Health Professions’ Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, the first of its kind in the state of Louisiana, has been granted accreditation for a period of seven years from the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). This milestone reflects the program’s commitment to excellence in education and preparing graduates to meet the highest professional standards in occupational therapy.
This accreditation follows a rigorous evaluation process by the ACOTE, which assessed the program’s curriculum, faculty qualifications, facilities, and compliance with ACOTE’s standards for quality and effectiveness in occupational therapy education. Seven-year accreditation review cycles are the maximum term allowed and are granted to programs that have no areas of noncompliance and have demonstrated exceptional educational quality.
“As Louisiana’s first Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, this accreditation achievement signifies a transformative step forward for occupational therapy education in our state. It is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our faculty, students, and clinical partners, whose collaborative efforts have established our program as a hub of excellence,” shared Sara Walters, DrOT, LOTR, BCP, Program Director and Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy in the School of Allied Professions at LSU Health Shreveport. “We are proud to shape the next generation of occupational therapy leaders, equipping them with the skills and compassion to meet the diverse needs of individuals and communities across Louisiana and beyond.”
The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program replaces the master’s of occupational therapy degree program previously offered at LSU Health Shreveport and offers a different curriculum that features more depth of content and a stronger in emphasis on leadership and research. The OTD program accepts 26 students a year and has a curriculum comprised of three years, or 119 semester hours, of coursework that is completed on-campus at LSUHS and off-campus at practice sites within and out of the state. Included in these semester hours are six months of Level II Fieldwork, which must be completed within 24 months following completion of didactic course work, and a Capstone Experience. Graduates of ACOTE-accredited programs are eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) examination. Upon successful completion, they are qualified to practice as licensed occupational therapists in the United States.
Occupational Therapists help people of all ages who have an injury, illness or disability be able to participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, assisting people who are recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or the loss of a limb. Approximately half of occupational therapists work in offices of occupational therapy or in hospitals, while others work in schools, nursing homes, and home health services. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau and Labor Statistics projects that Occupational Therapist jobs will increase by 11% from 2023 to 2033, a much faster than average growth rate compared to other occupations.
To learn more about the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at LSU Health Shreveport, visit schoolofalliedhealth.lsuhs.edu. Applications for the 2026 admissions cycle will open in the summer of 2025.