Rocky Mountain College Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program

03/09/2026

Big news for future OTs in Montana! 🎓🩺

Rocky Mountain College is moving the next Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) cohort start from January 2027 to August (Fall) 2026.

Why the change?
-To better align with students’ academic timelines and life plans
-To help meet Montana’s growing demand for occupational therapy
-There are hundreds of open OT positions statewide, with nearly 100 openings in Billings alone
-Average posted OT salaries in the Billings area are now over $100,000
-Some providers are reporting 6–9 month waitlists for OT
This earlier start, along with our OTD Early Admission Program for high school seniors and transfer students, is designed to strengthen the pipeline of occupational therapists ready to serve Billings, rural Montana, and underserved communities across the state.

📖 Read the full announcement and learn more about the Fall 2026 start and Early Admission pathway:
https://rocky.edu/rocky-mountain-college-otd-program-moves-to-fall-start-to-better-serve-montanas-occupational-therapy-needs/

Rocky Mountain College OTD program moves to a Fall start, enhancing training for Montana’s occupational therapy needs.

03/04/2026

Last week, Rocky Mountain College OTD students took their acute care skills to the next level at the Billings Clinic Hospital Simulation Lab in Billings, Montana. 🏥

Guided by a respiratory therapist and a nurse, students learned how to work safely around:

-Tracheostomies
-Nasal cannulas
-Chest tubes
-Catheters
-IV lines and monitors

They then split into two groups:
🔹 One group worked with a standardized patient (a retired nurse) to safely help her out of bed while she was connected to multiple lines.
🔹 The other group practiced using three types of patient lifts with faculty support: a manual sit-to-stand lift, an electric sit-to-stand lift, and a Hoyer lift—before switching so everyone experienced both stations.

Experiences like this are possible because of RMC’s location in Billings, Montana—the healthcare hub for much of the state and region. Our OTD students gain exposure to hospital-based occupational therapy while also preparing to serve rural and underserved communities across Montana.

👉 Learn more about their Sim Lab experience here: https://rocky.edu/rocky-mountain-college-otd-students-build-acute-care-skills-at-billings-clinic-simulation-lab/

01/29/2026

Rocky Mountain College is proud to welcome the 8th cohort of our Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program! 🎓

This January 2026 class powerfully reflects our mission to serve rural and underserved communities in Montana and beyond:

-18% Native American students
-18% military-affiliated students
-55% from rural communities
-45% with Montana roots

As Montana’s first homegrown Occupational Therapy Doctorate program, RMC prepares occupational therapists who understand the realities of rural practice, partner with Native American communities, and help close gaps in access to care.

Every new cohort is another step toward meeting the occupational therapy needs of our communities.

👉 Learn more about the OTD program at Rocky Mountain College: https://rocky.edu/academics/academic-programs/occupational-therapy/

09/19/2025

Our students enrolled in class OTD618: Occupational Therapy and Mental Health, are working on an interesting project this month:
Last week the students used the ACES (Adverse Childhood Experience Screen) on our chosen Case Study patient(former NFL player Aaron Hernandez). This included watching part 1 of a Netflix documentary and reading part of a Boston Globe Spotlight article on Hernandez's life prior to turning 18. This week students are taking their ACES scores and using the Person-Environment-Occupation model to imagine that Hernandez is a patient coming into their Mental Health Clinic after his arrest. Students in groups are tasked with designing a treatment plan for him that would address the adverse childhood experiences he had as well as finding positive coping mechanisms in order to afford him the best occupational performance within his preferred activities.
At RMC OTD, we are all about hands-on learning and applying knowledge both in and outside of the classroom. With an in-person, immersive learning model, our students graduate ready to enter their OT field of choice- as represented by our 100% Career Placement Rate!

07/23/2025

Today, our program hosted the high school students of MedStart as they continued their exploration of healthcare careers. Our 1st year OT students set up three activities to help the MedStart students become familiar with the Occupational Therapy Career, including: a low-vision goggle scavenger hunt, an adult independence challenge, and a pediatric obstacle course. All of these activities not only demonstrated the variety of settings OTs can work in, but also their impact on an individual's independence and/or development as an occupational being.

07/18/2025

RMC is thrilled to be ranked as a Top 50 school in the U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools in the Health Field. Our dedication to providing the best education to our graduate students continues with in-person learning, hands-on experiences, personalized mentorship, and strong community partnerships.

07/18/2025

Animals can be a valuable resource for Occupational Therapists. With an established Equestrian Program at RMC, our OT students have the opportunity to explore equine-related therapies and how they can help individuals with social, cognitive, and physical challenges.

07/18/2025

Today, we shine a spotlight on a current student in the RMC OTD Class of 2027 who is sharing their perspective on the Program:
“My favorite aspect of the RMC OTD Program are the Professors! Their involvement in not just your learning experience, but your overall academic and career success as advisors have made all the difference in my education so far.”

07/18/2025

Our students are surrounded by some of America’s best outdoor recreation, in addition to the diverse OT fieldwork opportunities in our urban healthcare hub and the surrounding rural communities. Make your OTD education an experience of a lifetime at Rocky Mountain College!

07/18/2025

With a curriculum that values exposure to the critical needs and challenges of rural communities, many of our students choose to change lives with careers among the nation’s underserved populations. See how you can help your community as an Occupational Therapist here: https://rocky.edu/academics/academic-programs/occupational-therapy/explore-ot/

07/18/2025

Our second year students in their Leadership in the Profession of Occupational Therapy Class exercised their collaboration and planning skills today when tasked with building the tallest structure possible out of pasta and marshmallows. Students observed their own contributions to the group and their own leadership style during this exercise.

07/17/2025

Today, we shine a spotlight on Zac, a current student in the RMC OTD Class of 2027 who is sharing their perspective on the Program:
“My favorite aspect of the RMC OTD Program is that we gain a deeper understanding of our patients and practice through tailored assignments. If I had to pick a second favorite, it would be all of the hands-on experience that allows us to practice what we’ve learned in the classroom immediately.”