Rocky Mountain College Welcomes Eighth Cohort of Occupational Therapy Doctorate Students
BILLINGS, Mont. — January 2026 — Rocky Mountain College (RMC) welcomed its eighth cohort of students into its Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, continuing its mission to prepare highly skilled occupational therapists who are committed to serving rural Montana, Native American communities, military-affiliated populations, and other underserved regions across the state and beyond.
The January 2026 Cohort
Reflecting the strongest alignment yet with the program’s mission and values.
18%
Native American Identification
18%
Military Background
55%
From Rural Communities
45%
Montana Roots
“These students bring lived experience, cultural insight, and a deep understanding of the rural and underserved communities we aim to support. Our commitment to Native students, underserved populations, rural communities, and Montanans is visible in who is sitting in our classrooms and labs.”
— Dr. Corwin Sutherin, Program Director
Many students in this cohort plan to return to their home communities after graduation, including small agricultural towns, tribal nations, and frontier areas that have historically struggled to recruit and retain occupational therapy providers in rural Montana.
Program Outcomes and Excellence in Occupational Therapy Education
Since its launch, the Rocky Mountain College Occupational Therapy Doctorate program has built an outstanding record of student and graduate success:
99%
Graduation Rate
Consistent retention & support.
100%
Career Placement Rate
Shortly after graduation
100%
Board Pass Rate
NBCOT National Certification.
67%
Rural Impact
Grads employed in rural areas.
275
fieldwork placements
Across local, rural, national, and international settings
60%
of graduates receive job offers from their fieldwork sites before they graduate, reflecting the high level of preparedness and professionalism students demonstrate in clinical settings
These outcomes reflect a program built on small cohorts, close faculty mentorship, and intensive hands-on learning in both classroom and clinical environments.
“Our graduates are not only passing national boards—they are stepping directly into roles where they are needed most. The fact that more than two-thirds of our graduates choose to work in rural communities shows how strongly the program supports rural occupational therapy in Montana.”
— Dr. Hyrum Haroldsen, OTD Faculty
The program maintains full continuing accreditation through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), affirming that RMC’s curriculum, outcomes, and clinical training meet rigorous professional standards.
MONTANA ROOTED
Montana’s First Homegrown Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program
As Montana’s first Montana-based Occupational Therapy Doctorate program, Rocky Mountain College plays a unique role in developing the state’s occupational therapy workforce. Located in Billings, Montana—the state’s largest city and its primary healthcare hub—RMC offers students access to a wide range of clinical partners while remaining firmly rooted in the needs of rural and frontier communities.
Students complete fieldwork in:
- Large hospital systems and rehabilitation centers in Billings
- Schools and community-based clinics across Montana
- Rural health centers, tribal communities, and frontier towns
- Select national and international occupational therapy fieldwork placements
These experiences give students a broad view of occupational therapy practice while preparing them to adapt and lead in diverse, often resource-limited settings.
“From the beginning, our mission has been to educate occupational therapists who understand Montana and the realities of rural and underserved practice,” said Dr. Sutherin. “This cohort—18% Native American, 18% military, over half from rural communities, and nearly half with Montana roots—shows that we are living that mission.”
“From the beginning, our mission has been to educate occupational therapists who understand Montana and the realities of rural and underserved practice,” said Dr. Sutherin. “This cohort—18% Native American, 18% military, over half from rural communities, and nearly half with Montana roots—shows that we are living that mission.”
— Dr. Hyrum Haroldsen, OTD Faculty
Serving Rural, Native American, and Underserved Communities
RMC’s OTD curriculum emphasizes clinical excellence, cultural responsiveness, and a strong commitment to equity in access to occupational therapy services in rural Montana and beyond. Students learn how to:
Rural Excellence
Provide occupational therapy in rural and frontier healthcare settings
Cultural Responsiveness
Partner with Native American communities and tribal health systems
Military Advocacy
Support veterans and military families through rehabilitative and community-based care
Innovation
Advocate in areas where access to occupational therapy has historically been limited.
“Growing up in a rural town, I saw how hard it was for older adults and people recovering from injuries to find help close to home. I chose Rocky Mountain College because I want to serve my community with the education and confidence I’m gaining here in the OTD program.”
— Ella Peters, 2026 OTD Cohort Member
As RMC welcomes its eighth Occupational Therapy Doctorate cohort, the college continues to expand partnerships with health systems, rural hospitals, tribal nations, schools, and community clinics to meet the occupational therapy needs of rural and underserved populations in Montana.
“Every new cohort is another step toward closing the gap in access to care,” said Dr. Sutherin. “We are proud of our students, our graduates, and the communities they serve—and we are committed to continuing this work for years to come.”
