Rate My Professor Kristin Haas

Dr. Kristin Haas, OTD, OTR/L, is the Professor of Occupational Therapy and Founding Program Director at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois. She earned her post-professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2005. In her leadership role, Dr. Haas directs the university's entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, which was approved in April 2025 and launched in January 2026. Offered through the School of Science and Technology, this full-time, hybrid program spans 2 2/3 years with 107 credit hours, combining online coursework and on-campus Hawk OTD Summit Labs for hands-on simulations and professional development. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based interventions, ethical practice, advocacy, and respect for human dignity, guided by Catholic Franciscan values. Key features include a 14-week doctoral capstone project with faculty and community partners, 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork, and preparation for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam and state licensure, pending full ACOTE accreditation.

Dr. Haas's teaching focuses on capstone projects, research methods, occupational therapy theory, and professional development. Her research interests include professional identity, curriculum design, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in occupational therapy education. She co-authored the 2024 article 'Visualize Whole-Self Model - An Instructional Design for Occupational Therapy Education' in the Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. Before Quincy University, Dr. Haas served as Occupational Therapy Program Director at College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, starting in 2003. Under her guidance, the program advanced from a bachelor's to a master's degree and launched an OTD in 2019. She received the Inspiring Excellence Award at College of Saint Mary. With more than two decades of experience in occupational therapy education, program development, and accreditation, Dr. Haas contributes significantly to advancing the profession through innovative curriculum and leadership.