Rocky Mountain College OTD Program Moves to Fall Start to Better Serve Montana’s Occupational Therapy Needs
BILLINGS, Mont. — March 2026 — Rocky Mountain College (RMC) has announced that its next Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) cohort, originally scheduled to begin in January (Spring) 2027, will now start in August (Fall) 2026.
The change reflects RMC’s commitment to serving OT students and meeting the growing demand for occupational therapy services in Montana, particularly in Billings and rural, underserved communities across the state.
“We listened to our incoming students and to our clinical partners, Moving the start date to Fall 2026 allows students to begin their occupational therapy training sooner, while also helping Montana communities that urgently need more OTs.”
Dr. Corwin Sutherin, Program Director of the OTD program
Meeting Unprecedented Demand for Occupational Therapy in Montana
The decision to accelerate the start date comes at a time of significant workforce need in Montana occupational therapy:
There are currently hundreds of open occupational therapist positions across the state.
- Nearly 100 open OT positions are in Billings, where Rocky Mountain College is located.
- The high demand for OTs has pushed average occupational therapy salaries in the Billings area to more than $100,000 per year.
- Some providers in Billings report 6–9 month waiting lists for occupational therapy services.
- These indicators highlight both the importance of the profession and the urgency of expanding Montana’s occupational therapy workforce.
“Every time we graduate a cohort, we’re helping reduce waitlists and improve access to occupational therapy in Montana,” Dr. Sutherin said. “By starting in Fall 2026, this group of students will enter the clinical phase and the workforce sooner—right when the state needs them most.”
Centering Student Needs and Academic Timelines
The move from a January 2027 start to an August 2026 start was also driven by clear, consistent feedback from Montana students. Many shared that:
- A fall start date fits more naturally with undergraduate graduation and personal timelines.
- Beginning in August supports smoother planning for housing, finances, and employment.
- Students are eager to begin hands-on occupational therapy education and clinical experiences as soon as possible.
After reviewing accreditation standards, course sequencing, and fieldwork planning, RMC confirmed that this is the best path forward for both community and student needs.
“This is a student-centered decision,” said Dr. Sutherin. “We are aligning our calendar with how students actually move through their academic and professional journeys—without sacrificing rigor, quality, or outcomes in our OTD program.”
Strengthening the OT Pipeline: Early Admission Program for Future OTs
The Fall 2026 start is one of several strategic steps Rocky Mountain College is taking to address occupational therapy shortages in Montana. Another key initiative is the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Early Admission Program (EAP), which creates a direct pathway from high school or early college into the RMC OTD program.
Through the OTD Early Admission Program:
High school seniors and transfer students with at least 60 credits remaining can apply for early admission to occupational therapy at RMC.
Students accepted into the EAP are guaranteed a future seat in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program, once they complete their RMC bachelor’s degree and meet all matriculation criteria.
Eligible students may qualify for up to a $5,000 yearly Health Career EAP Scholarship during their undergraduate studies.
- EAP students are invited to participate in OTD events and activities, gaining early exposure to the field of occupational therapy, RMC faculty, and Billings’ healthcare community.
To secure an Early Admission seat, students must:
- Be admitted to Rocky Mountain College as undergraduates.
Complete a supplemental Health Career EAP application (including a personal statement and one letter of recommendation).
Visit campus.
Complete an interview by invitation.
If offered a seat, students must submit a new student enrollment deposit and sign their OTD EAP agreement.
Why Billings, Montana Is an Ideal Setting for Occupational Therapy Education
This Simulation Lab experience showcases how Rocky Mountain College leverages its location in Billings, Montana to enrich occupational therapy education:
- Billings is the largest city in Montana and a regional healthcare center, home to major hospitals and specialty services.
- Students gain exposure to acute care occupational therapy and interprofessional collaboration with nurses, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare providers.
- At the same time, they are preparing for careers that often extend out into rural hospitals, critical access facilities, and underserved communities throughout the state.
Because Rocky Mountain College’s OTD program emphasizes both urban healthcare exposure and rural healthcare challenges, students can see how acute care occupational therapy fits across the continuum of care—from large hospital systems in Billings to smaller facilities in rural Montana.
“The Early Admission Program allows motivated students to see a clear, supported path from high school to a doctorate in occupational therapy,” said Katie Heyneman, Assistant Director of Admissions. “It strengthens the pipeline of future OTs who are already connected to Montana, to Billings, and to the rural communities we serve.”
Advancing RMC’s Mission
Serving Rural and Underserved Montana Communities
As Montana’s first Montana-based Occupational Therapy Doctorate program, Rocky Mountain College is uniquely positioned to address both urban and rural occupational therapy needs:
The program is based in Billings, Montana, the state’s largest city and a major healthcare hub.
Students train in hands-on labs, simulation experiences, and clinical placements with leading healthcare partners in Billings.
Fieldwork and practice experiences extend into rural hospitals, critical access facilities, schools, tribal communities, and underserved regions throughout Montana.
By moving the next OTD cohort to a Fall 2026 start and expanding access through the OTD Early Admission Program, RMC is working to:
Graduate occupational therapists more quickly into a market with hundreds of open OT jobs in Montana.
Help reduce long waitlists for occupational therapy services in Billings and rural Montana.
Support students who are eager to begin their OT careers and serve Montana communities as soon as possible.
“These changes are about alignment,” said Dr. Corwin Sutherin. “We are aligning our program with student needs, with the realities of Montana’s healthcare system, and with our mission to serve rural and underserved populations through high-quality occupational therapy in a variety of specialties and settings.”
