Occupational Therapy

The Department of Occupational Therapy currently offers an Occupational Therapy Clinical Doctorate (OTD - entry-level and post-professional tracks), and a graduate certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation (LVR). The LVR graduate certificate may be completed independently by practicing occupational therapists, or in conjunction with the OTD degree. 

Grad Degree Offered Info

Degree Offered:	Occupational Therapy Clinical Doctorate (OTD)
Directors:	Dr. Gavin Jenkins (Entry-level) and Dr. Sarah Tucker (Post-professional)
Phone:	(205) 934-7326
Website:	http://www.uab.edu/shp/otd

Grad Degree Offered Info

Degree Offered:	Low Vision Rehabilitation Graduate Certificate
Director:	Dr. Beth Barstow
Phone:	(205) 934-7321
Website:	http://www.uab.edu/shp/ot/low-vision-rehabilitation

Low Vision Rehabilitation, Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation is a practice oriented certificate program that prepares occupational therapists to provide comprehensive, competent intervention to adults with visual impairment from age-related eye diseases or brain injury. The program is designed for occupational therapists already working in low vision rehabilitation; those interested in starting low vision rehabilitation programs; and those interested in expanding their practice skills in this area. The program's flexible web-based distance format allows occupational therapists across the United States and other English speaking countries to obtain these skills while working full time.

Credentials Conferred

The Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation is awarded by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Length of Study

The certificate requires 5 semesters to complete; students take 1 course per semester.

Program Entrance Date

Fall semester (begins in August)

Requirements for Admission

Degree in occupational therapy from an accredited university program.

Essential Requirements

After acceptance and prior to enrollment into online programs, students must certify their ability to complete the essential tasks, with or without reasonable accommodation, associated with performing as an occupational therapy student.  Reasonable accommodation refers to ways in which the University can assist students with disabilities to accomplish these tasks (for example, providing extra time to complete an examination).  Reasonable accommodation does not mean that students with disabilities will be exempt from certain tasks; it does mean that the Department of Occupational Therapy will work with students with disabilities to determine whether there are ways to assist the student with completion of the required tasks.

After enrollment, a student with a disability who wishes reasonable accommodation contacts Disability Support Services (205) 934-4205 or (205) 934-4248 (TDD), provides appropriate and current documentation substantiating the claimed disability, meets the requirements of a disability as described in the ADA, and identifies the needed accommodation. Reasonable accommodation in classroom and in practice settings cannot be provided without the formal request and the required documentation of the ADA defined disability. (Visit http://www.uab.edu/students/disability).

Essential Tasks

• Students must meet class standards for course completion throughout the curriculum.
• Students must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English at a level consistent with successful course completion and development of positive client-therapist relationships.
• Students must complete readings, assignments, and other activities.
• Students must gather decision-making pieces of information during client assessment activities.
• Students must perform evaluation and intervention activities by direct performance keys.
• Students must apply critical thinking processes to their work in the courses.
• Students must have interpersonal skills as needed for productive discussion, respectful interaction with classmates and faculty.
• Students must demonstrate appropriate health status prior to enrollment with annual updates on some items. Requirements are found at www.uab.edu/studenthealth.
• Students must follow standards and policies specified in the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Handbook, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham Directions Handbook.
• Students must adhere to all policies outlined in the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Handbook which is posted online at www.uab.edu/shp/ot/contact-us/student-resources.

Application Deadline and Procedure

See Occupational Therapy Low Vision Rehabilitation Admissions Checklist on the Overview page.

International Students:

See Occupational Therapy Low Vision Rehabilitation Admissions Checklist, in addition to the following items:

• A transcript evaluation from World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org) may be required.
• Students from countries where English is not the official and primary language may be required to take and receive an acceptable score on the TOEFL, or the IELTS.
• Submit official TOEFL test score (Institution code: 1856) or official IELTS score (provide the Graduate School's mailing address to the testing company/center).

Typical Program (Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours)

The curriculum is designed with the working occupational therapist in mind. Coursework emphasizes practical application to the clinic. Projects are designed to reinforce learning of application to practice. Materials for completion of the courses can be obtained through the internet and required texts. The student must have consistent access to the internet. A high-speed connection (DSL, cable, satellite) is strongly recommended.

Certificate

On completion of the required coursework the student will be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the student’s name will appear in the commencement bulletin. A transcript of the coursework taken for the certificate will be available.

The curriculum for the certificate is offered online as web-based distance education for practitioners. Students accepted into the program begin the curriculum in August and complete one course per semester. Because one course builds on another, students must take the courses in sequence. The final course requires that the student come to the UAB campus for a 2-day on campus intensive where they will work in small groups with instructors to demonstrate assessment and intervention skills. This is the only time the student is required to come to the UAB campus during the entire curriculum. Travel to UAB for the intensive weekend may be waived under special circumstances.  Examples include limitations in travel due to disability, illness, or travel from outside the U.S. A series of online meetings will be substituted.  Travel exceptions are at the discretion of the Low Vision Rehabilitation Program Director. Based on these requirements, course work for completion of the certificate will require 5 semesters.

LOW VISION REHABILITATION CURRICULUM

The courses must be completed sequentially in the order listed below.

Typical OT Curriculum Course Sequence

Requirements		Hours
Fall Cohort
OT 677	Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation I (1st Fall semester)	3
OT 679	Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation II (1st Spring semester)	3
1st Summer semester Open
OT 690	Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation III (2nd Fall semester)	3
OT 689	Foundations in Treatment of Visual Impairment from Brain Injury (2nd Spring semester)	3
OT 691	Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation IV (2nd Summer semester)	3
Total Credits 15 credits

For further information contact:

Program Coordinator
Occupational Therapy Low Vision Rehabilitation Certificate Program
UAB School of Health Professions
SHPB 352
1716 9th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-1212
Telephone 205-934-3569
E-mail lvrcert@uab.edu
Web http://www.uab.edu/shp/ot/low-vision-rehabilitation

Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy

The Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) prepares graduates with in-depth knowledge in a specific area such as professional practice, advocacy, policy, education, research and program development.  Doctoral students actively engage in educational and clinical experiences to develop the capacity to drive change across professional and community based practice. Students develop advanced knowledge and practice skills to assess occupational needs; identify barriers to occupational engagement and devise strategies that support full occupational participation to improve the health and well-being of people, populations, and communities.  The degree is offered as either:

1. Entry-Level OTD – The entry level, or professional track, is a full-time program designed for those interested in obtaining an occupational therapy degree. The graduates of this track are eligible to sit for the national occupational therapist certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT^®): website: www.nbcot.org.

2. Post-professional OTD – The post-professional track is a flexible web-based format that allows occupational therapists across the United States, and in other countries, to obtain this advanced practice degree while working full time. The post-professional track is for experienced occupational therapy professionals.

Entry-Level OTD Program

Accreditation

The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program has applied for accreditation and was granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses usually are based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork as well as an individual 14-week capstone experience within 12 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program. The doctoral capstone experience must be started after completion of all coursework and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in 2018 ACOTE OTD Standard D.1.3.

Credentials Conferred

The Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree is awarded by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Professional Certification

ACOTE’s final accreditation decision will be completed August 2023. Following successful completion of that, graduates of the entry level OTD program will be eligible to sit for the national occupational therapist certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)^®; website: www.nbcot.org. After successful completion of the examination, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Applicants should be aware that fieldwork placement sites, professional licensing agencies and prospective employers frequently require criminal history disclosures and background checks, although convictions do not necessarily disqualify someone for licensure or employment. Applicants with criminal convictions should recognize that such convictions may impede eventual licensure or employment and that the University of Alabama at Birmingham cannot predict the future decisions of fieldwork sites, licensing agencies, or employers. An individual who is considering, or who has entered, an occupational therapy educational program can have his/her background reviewed by requesting an Early Determination Review from NBCOT at https://www.nbcot.org/en/Students/Services

Length of Study

Minimum of eight (8) semesters as a full-time student.

Entrance Date

Summer semester

Application Deadline

This program participates in the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). Please consult www.otcas.org for more information regarding specific OTCAS application requirements, procedures, and fees.  The OTCAS application needs to be completed by the OTCAS deadline. Applicants should send all application materials directly to OTCAS.  OTCAS will verify the application information and send completed applications to the department. Contact Information for OTCAS: Web:  https://portal.otcas.org/.

Requirements for Admission

The applicant must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in a field other than occupational therapy.  Acceptance will be based on the student's academic ability, aptitude for a career as an occupational therapist, and an interview.  The candidate is expected to satisfy the following requirements:

• Complete the OTCAS application based on the OTCAS deadline.

• Hold a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than occupational therapy from an accredited college or university; or receive a baccalaureate degree prior to admission.

• Completion of prerequisite coursework prior to admission.

• Complete either:

  • At least 20 hours of observation of occupational therapy. Various settings are recommended. Or:
  • The “Introduction to Occupational Therapy” course (offered 100% online)

• Have an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 as calculated by OTCAS or a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of coursework;

• Have an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 or better for all prerequisite courses. For prerequisite courses, no grade lower that a B will be accepted.

• If invited, complete an interview with faculty of the Department of Occupational Therapy.

  Students who are accepted into the UAB Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD): entry level program must:

• Complete the UAB Graduate School application to include the Graduate School fee.

• Complete the UAB medical history questionnaire and physical.

• Provide proof of required immunizations, and receive satisfactory screening by the UAB Medical Center Student Health Service.

• Send all official transcripts to the UAB Graduate School.

• Submit a $300 non-refundable deposit to reserve a seat in the program (deposit will be applied to tuition for students who start the program).

• Complete a criminal background check and drug screen before program matriculation and as specified by the Department of Occupational Therapy.

Prerequisites-UAB Equivalents

All prerequisites must be completed in the last 8 years with a grade of "B" or better, or must be scheduled for completion prior to admission.
(Transfer equivalents for UAB can be found by clicking here.)

Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours.

Requirements		Hours
Arts and Humanities		3
EH 302	Intermediate Writing
Social and Behavioral Sciences		6
PY 218	Psychopathology
PY 212	Developmental Psychology ((course must cover human development from prenatal to old age)
Natural Sciences and Mathematics		22
Statistics (must be taken in Math, Psychology or Sociology)
MA 180	Introduction to Statistics
or PY 216	Elementary Statistical Methods
or SOC 410	Social Statistics
or HCM 360	Statistics for Managers
Biology with Lab
BY 123 & 123L	Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology I Laboratory
Human Anatomy with Lab
BY 115 & 115L	Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Laboratory
Human Physiology with Lab
BY 116 & 116L	Introductory Human Physiology and Introductory Human Physiology Laboratory
Kinesiology
KIN 307	Applied Kinesiology
Introductory Sociology or Cultural Anthropology
SOC 100	Introduction to Sociology
or ANTH 101	Introducing Cultural Anthropology
Medical Terminology is strongly recommended
HCM 350	Medical Terminology for Health Professionals

Essential Requirements

Prior to enrollment, students must certify their ability to complete the essential tasks, with or without reasonable accommodation, associated with performing as an occupational therapy student.  Reasonable accommodation refers to ways in which the University can assist students with disabilities to accomplish these tasks (for example, providing extra time to complete an examination or enhancing the sound system in a classroom).  Reasonable accommodation does not mean that students with disabilities will be exempt from certain tasks; it does mean that the Department of Occupational Therapy will work with students with disabilities to determine whether there are ways to assist the student with completion of the required tasks.

After enrollment, a student with a disability who wishes reasonable accommodation contacts Disability Support Services (205) 934-4205 or (205) 934-4248 (TDD) or visit 9th Avenue Office Bldg. 1701 9th Ave., provides appropriate and current documentation substantiating the claimed disability, meets the requirements of a disability as described in the ADA, and identifies the needed accommodation. Reasonable accommodation in classroom and in practice settings cannot be provided without the formal request and the required documentation of the ADA defined disability. (Visit http://www.uab.edu/dss )

Essential Tasks

The student possess sufficient cognitive skills to:

• Acquire, process, retain and apply knowledge through a variety of instructional methods such as:  written materials (i.e. texts, journals, documentation and other written sources), oral delivery, visual demonstrations, laboratory experiences, clinical experiences and independent learning.
• Complete reading assignments, search and analyze professional literature, and apply information gained to guide practice.
• Process (measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize and evaluate) large amounts of complex information; apply theoretical concepts to practice activities and perform clinical problem-solving in a logical and timely manner.
• Perceive and understand three-dimensional relationships and spatial relationships necessary for education and practice related tasks such a moving in a variety of environments, designing treatment equipment, and fabricating splints.
• Maintain attention for 2-4 hours; tolerate days when classes or fieldwork may last 8-10 hours.
• Take and pass test/quizzes in a variety of formats.
• Complete written assignments and produce written documentation in standard and organized English.
• Apply knowledge and judgment required to demonstrate ethical reasoning and behavior.
• Apply safety knowledge and judgment to a variety of situations.
• Comply with University, Program, and fieldwork site rules and regulations.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills and judgment necessary to modify evaluation or intervention methods when necessary to address the specific needs of individuals (behavioral, cultural, etc.), in order to maximize client performance.
• Apply clinical reasoning and judgment necessary for interpretation of evaluation data and development of treatment plans.
• Identify and select occupations that are goal directed and motivate and challenge clients.
• Demonstrate judgment necessary to establish priorities and develop and use strategies.

The student must possess sufficient interpersonal skills, communication skills, and affective learning skills to:

• Demonstrate positive sufficient interpersonal skills including, but not limited to, cooperation, flexibility, tact, empathy, and confidence.
• Collaborate with classmates, clients, family members, significant others, and team members.
• Function successfully in supervisory, and instructor-student relationships; change and adjust behavior and performance in the classroom, laboratory, or clinic on the basis of instructor feedback.
• Participate equitably in cooperative group learning activities; actively participate in class discussions and as a member of a team.
• Sustain the mental and emotional rigors of a demanding educational program in occupational therapy that includes academic and clinical components that occur within set time constraints and often concurrently.
• Orally present information to groups of people.
• Communicate in the English language effectively and clearly in oral and written forms, using proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar to explain procedures and teach skills. 
• Use language appropriate to the recipient, with faculty, peers, clients, and other health professionals from different social and cultural backgrounds; use communication skills needed to practice safely.
• Obtain information from clients, peers, faculty, supervisors, and other professionals.
• Use therapeutic communication skills such as attending and active listening during therapeutic interactions; and motivating and facilitating client behaviors in order to maximize client performance.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and non-verbally; elicit and describe factual information and perceive information derived from verbal and non-verbal communication and social cues.
• Be appropriately assertive as required to speak in class, initiate and guide the therapy process, establish limits as needed for the safety of self and clients and establish professional identity within complex systems.
• Utilize the computer for communication and class assignments.
• Observe persons and scenarios and elicit relevant information for use in assessment and intervention.
• Plan, guide and implement both individual and group interventions.

The student must possess sufficient professional behavior to:

• Demonstrate respect for diversity, including but not limited to, socio-cultural, socioeconomic, spiritual, and lifestyle choices.
• Function successfully in supervisory and instructor-student relationships; change and adjust behavior and performance in the classroom, laboratory, or clinic on the basis of instructor feedback.
• Exhibit professional demeanor including appropriate language and dress, acceptance of responsibility for conduct.
• Demonstrate organizational and time management skills and ability to prioritize activities effectively as needed to attend class and fulfill class requirements.
• Exhibit flexibility and adapt to changing environments and expectations.
• Cope with stresses encountered in the intensive educational process as well as clinical practice environments.
• Demonstrate consistent work behaviors including initiative, preparedness, dependability, punctual attendance and work site maintenance.
• Tolerate working in environments where there is exposure to disability, illness, pain, and death.
• Maintain general good health and self-care in order not to jeopardize the health and safety of self and others in the academic and clinical settings.
• Maintain ethical standards including honesty, integrity, and confidentiality, at all times.
• Produce the required volume of work in the expected time frame.

The student must possess sufficient physical and sensory skills to:

• Tolerate sitting up to 2 hours at a time, over an 8-10 hour period.
• Tolerate periods of physical activity up to 8-10 hours per day.
• Demonstrate coordination, equilibrium, and sensory functioning required to manipulate parts of, or whole bodies of, simulated and real clients for purposes of evaluation and treatment.
• Demonstrate mobility and ability to move within environments adequately to access and maneuver within locations and destinations including classroom, lab, and clinical settings.
• Demonstrate lifting ability sufficient to maneuver an individual's body parts effectively to perform evaluation and treatment techniques including, but not limited to, transferring another person into and out of a wheelchair, to and from the commode or bed, etc.
• Demonstrate sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control, eye/hand coordination, and integrated function of the senses of vision, hearing, tactile sense, vestibular (movement sense) and proprioception (sense of muscles and joints) to manipulate and use common occupational therapy equipment, devices, materials, and supplies, and demonstrate competency in the use of these objects within assessment and treatment procedures commonly used in occupational therapy practice.
• Demonstrate motor skill capacities with sufficient levels of strength, endurance and fine and gross motor coordination to safely, accurately, and effectively engage in a wide variety of therapeutic techniques, activities and occupations used in the occupational therapy assessment and intervention process; these capacities would include ability to lift and move objects, adequate manual dexterity, arm and hand function needed to use tools and perform other manipulative activities, use of limbs and trunk in bending, twisting, squatting, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, holding, extending, and rotation.
• Manipulate or guide another person's body in transfers, ambulation, positioning and assisted or facilitated trunk, head, and limb movements.
• Manipulate bolsters, pillows, plinths, mats, assistive/adaptive devices, and other supports or chairs to aid in positioning, moving, or treating a patient/client effectively.
• Legibly record/document evaluations, patient care notes, and referrals, etc., in standard medical charts in clinical settings in a timely manner and consistent with the acceptable norms of clinical settings.
• Demonstrate or complete activities or tests with adequate degree of fine motor dexterity.
• Tolerate physical contact with others; tolerate manipulation of his/her own body by peers or instructors for instructional purposes.
• Demonstrate a sufficiently high degree of coordination of motor skills and vigilance to respond to emergency situations quickly and appropriately, including performance of CPR.
• Travel to various community and fieldwork sites for experiential learning, clinical opportunities, and fieldwork.

Typical Program

Total curriculum hours for the Entry-Level OTD: 107

Requirements		Hours
First Year (Summer)		15
OT 701	Theoretical Foundations for Occupational Therapy Practice
OT 704	Research Design for Occupational Therapy Practice
OT 715	Introduction of the OT Process, Analysis and Adaptation of Occupation
OT 716	Social, Economic and Political Factors that Influence Occupational Therapy
OT 717	Creative Occupations
OT 730	Performance Skills for Occupation: Introduction
First Year (Fall)		13
OT 720	Contexts of Professional Practice: Infancy to Early Childhood
OT 726	Low Vision and Participation
OT 731	Performance Skills for Occupation: Infancy to Adolescence
OT 764	Fieldwork Experience
OT 776	Capstone Project
Second Year (Spring)		15
OT 705	Evidenced-based Occupational Therapy Practice Design and Application
OT 721	Contexts of Professional Practice: Childhood to Adolescence
OT 732	Performance Skills for Occupation: Adulthood
OT 750	Scholarly Inquiry I
OT 764	Fieldwork Experience
OT 776	Capstone Project
Second Year (Summer)		16
OT 703	Advocacy and Healthcare Policy in Population Health
OT 706	Management for Occupational Therapy Practice
OT 722	Contexts of Professional Practice: Early Adulthood to Middle Adulthood
OT 751	Scholarly Inquiry II
OT 764	Fieldwork Experience
OT 776	Capstone Project
Second Year (Fall)		14
OT 634	Seminar in Professional Readiness
OT 723	Contexts of Professional Practice: Later Adulthood
OT 727	Health and Wellness Promotion
OT 774	Contemporary and Emerging Issues in Occupational Therapy
OT 776	Capstone Project
Third Year (Spring)		10
OT 765	Advanced Fieldwork I
Third Year (Summer)		10
OT 766	Advanced Fieldwork II
Third Year (Fall)		14
OT 777	Capstone Experience: Emerging as an Occupational Therapist
Total Hours		107

For further information contact:
UAB Department of Occupational Therapy
Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator
SHPB 353, 1716 9th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-1212
Telephone 205-934-3568
E-mail OTD@uab.edu
Web http://www.uab.edu/shp/ot

Post-professional OTD Track

Length of Study

The program requires variable semesters to complete; students taking two courses per semester should finish in 2 1/2 years.  Students taking only one course per semester or a mix of credit hours across semesters will take longer. One course a semester will take four (4) years.  The UAB Graduate School mandates degree completion in five (5) years.

Requirements for Admission

Admission is open to therapists with current master’s or bachelor’s degrees in occupational therapy conferred from an accredited occupational therapy program who are currently employed or have a minimum of one year experience as an occupational therapist.

Additional Requirements

Requirement	Fulfilled By:
Entry Term:	Fall
Deadline for ALL Application Materials to be in the Graduate School Office:	August 1
Entrance Tests:	For international applicants from non-English speaking countries, scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

All Post-Professional OTD applicants must complete the following requirements:

*No GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is required.

**Students planning to take the Low Vision Graduate Certificate concentration must also submit a copy of their US license.  This does not apply to international students.

• Current master's or bachelor's degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program (this includes applicants who have an OTA degree and a BS degree in a related field).

• Applicants must be currently or have been previously employed as an occupational therapist or OTA with at least one year of clinical experience.

• The ability to complete essential tasks, with or without reasonable accommodation, associated with performing as an occupational therapy student.  

• Curriculum vitae (CV)/ Resume.

• GPA of 3.0 from most recent degree.

• A Letter of Intent (minimum of two double-spaced pages and maximum of four pages in length to be submitted before interview) providing a description of how the program aligns with the applicant's intended career goals.

• Three letters of reference from professionals you have worked with.

• Interview (online or in-person).

• Computer skills.

International Students:

See Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Admissions Checklist, in addition to the following items:

• A transcript evaluation from World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org) may be required.

• Students from countries where English is not the official and primary language may be required to take the TOEFL, or the IELTS.A minimum score of 550 on the paper text, 213 on the computer version, or 80 on the internet-based test of the TOEFL or a minimum score of 6.0 – 6.5 on the IELTS test is recommended.

Essential Requirements

After acceptance, and prior to enrollment into online programs, students must certify their ability to complete the essential tasks, with or without reasonable accommodation, associated with performing as an occupational therapy student.  Reasonable accommodation refers to ways in which the University can assist students with disabilities to accomplish these tasks (for example, providing extra time to complete an examination).  Reasonable accommodation does not mean that students with disabilities will be exempt from certain tasks; it does mean that the Department of Occupational Therapy will work with students with disabilities to determine whether there are ways to assist the student with completion of the required tasks.

After enrollment, a student with a disability who wishes reasonable accommodation must contact Disability Support Services at (205) 934-4205 or (205) 934-4248 (TDD), provide appropriate and current documentation substantiating the claimed disability, meet the requirements of a disability as described in the ADA, and identify the needed accommodation. Reasonable accommodation in classroom and in practice settings cannot be provided without the formal request and the required documentation of the ADA defined disability. (Visit http://www.uab.edu/dss).

Essential Tasks

• Students must be competent in computer skills to include use of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.), email correspondence, web search skills. The student must have adequate and reliable access to the internet. Recommended technology resources are described at https://www.uab.edu/elearning/academic-technologies/canvas.

• Students must meet class standards for course completion throughout the curriculum.

• Students must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English at a level consistent with successful course completion and development of positive client therapist relationships.

• Students must complete readings, assignments, and other activities.

• Students must gather decision-making pieces of information during client assessment activities.

• Students must perform evaluation and intervention activities by direct performance keys.

• Students must apply critical thinking processes to their work in the courses.

• Students must have interpersonal skills as needed for productive discussion, and respectful interaction with classmates and faculty.

• Students must demonstrate appropriate health status prior to enrollment with annual updates on some items. Requirements at www.uab.edu/studenthealth.

• Students must follow standards and policies specified in the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Handbook posted online on our website at http://www.uab.edu/shp/ot/admissions.

Degree

On completion of the required coursework the student will be awarded an OTD by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the student’s name will appear in the commencement bulletin. A transcript of the coursework taken for the degree will be available through the University Registrar’s Office.

The curriculum for the degree is offered online via a web-based learning management system for students in the program. Students accepted into the program begin the curriculum in August and complete one or more courses per semester. The clinical doctorate requires variable semesters to complete; students taking 2 courses per semester should finish in 2 1/2 years.  Students taking only 1 course per semester or a mix of credit hours across semesters will take longer.

Typical Program 

The curriculum is designed with the working occupational therapist in mind. Coursework emphasizes practical application to the OT clinic environment. Projects are designed to reinforce classroom learning for application to practice. Materials for completion of the courses can be obtained through the Internet, materials provided, and required texts.

The Post-Professional OTD follows a core/concentration model which consists of a total of 40 semester hours.  25 semester hours are taken in the core. The remaining 15 semester hours are taken in specialty areas (Low Vision Rehabilitation, Healthcare Quality and Safety, or General).

Required Core Courses

Requirements		Hours
Core Course Requirements
OT 701	Theoretical Foundations for Occupational Therapy Practice	3
OT 702	Leadership for OT Practice Excellence	2
OT 703	Advocacy and Healthcare Policy in Population Health	3
OT 704	Research Design for Occupational Therapy Practice	3
OT 705	Evidenced-based Occupational Therapy Practice Design and Application	3
OT 706	Management for Occupational Therapy Practice	3
OT 707	Occupational Therapists as Educators	2
OT 798	Occupational Therapy Capstone Experience/Non-Thesis Project Minimum of 6 credit hours completed over multiple semesters upon completion of OT704 and OT 705	6
Total Hours		25

Low Vision Rehabilitation Concentration

Requirements		Hours
Elective Course Requirements for students completing the Low Vision Rehabilitation concentration
OT 677	Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation I	3
OT 679	Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation II	3
OT 689	Foundations in Treatment of Visual Impairment from Brain Injury	3
OT 690	Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation III	3
OT 691	Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation IV	3
Total Hours		15

Healthcare Quality and Safety Concentration 

Requirements		Hours
Elective Course Requirements for students completing the Healthcare Quality and Safety concentration
HQS 600	Introduction to Clinical Quality Improvement	4
HQS 610	Quantitative Methods, Measurement, and Tools for Quality Improvement	4
HQS 625	Fundamentals of Patient Safety	4
HQS 630	Leadership of High Reliability Healthcare Organizations	3
Total Hours		15

General Concentration 

Requirements		Hours
Elective Course Requirements for students completing the General concentration (select 15 hours)		15
OT 710	Introduction to Occupational Science	3
OT 711	Adaptation and Disability in Occupational Therapy Practice	3
OT 714	Program Evaluation in Occupational Therapy	3
OT 775	Independent Study in Occupational Therapy	1-3
OT 792	Special Topics in Occupational Therapy	1-4
GRD 727	Writing & Reviewing Research	3

https://www.uab.edu/graduate/admissionsrequirements 

International Students:

See Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Admissions Checklist, in addition to the following items:

• A transcript evaluation from World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org) may be required.

• Students from countries where English is not the official and primary language may be required to take the TOEFL, or the IELTS.A minimum score of 550 on the paper text, 213 on the computer version, or 80 on the internet-based test of the TOEFL or a minimum score of 6.0 – 6.5 on the IELTS test is recommended.

Typical Program

Total Curriculum Hours for the Post-Professional OTD:  40

For further information contact:
UAB, Department of Occupational Therapy
Program Director, Occupational Therapy Post-Professional Doctorate Program
SHPB 338, 1716 9th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-1212
Telephone 205-934-8623
E-mail OTD@uab.edu
Web http://www.uab.edu/shp/otd

Faculty

Ashcraft, Rachel, Assistant Professor, 2022, MS (UAB)

Barstow, Elizabeth A., Associate Professor and Program Director, Graduate Certificate in Low Vision, 2004, PhD (UAB), Low-Vision Rehabilitation, Environmental Accessibility Physical Activity and Disability Driver’s Assessment

Bowman, Mary, Assitant Professor, 2022, BS (UAB)

Carpenter, Megan, Assistant Professor and Doctoral Capstone Coordinator, 2020, OTD (Quinnipiac University), Pediatric feeding topics; Interprofessional Education activities; Use of Snooezelen principles in sensory integration; Telehealth service delivery

Cunningham, Anthony "Deek", Assistant Professor, Director of Clinical Education, 2011, MSOT (UAB), Low Vision, Rehabilitation, Pediatrics, Tourette’s Syndrome.

Dickson, Jewell, Associate Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, 2021, OTD (Rocky Mountain University)

Dos Anjos, Sarah, Assistant Professor, 2020, PhD (UAB), Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, Stroke Rehabilitation

Edison, Christopher, Assistant Professor, 2004, MSOT (UAB), Assessment in Practice Teaching and Learning

Han, Areum, Assistant Professor, 2019, PhD (University of Kansas School of Medicine), Psychological & behavioral interventions for caregivers of older adults, and people with neurological disorders.

Jenkins, Gavin, Professor and Chair Occupational Therapy, 2008, PhD (England), Assistive Technology the Built Environment/Green Spaces

McCurry, Valley, Assistant Professor, 2013, PhD (UAB), Disability and Participation

Rimmer, James, Professor, 2012, PhD (Texas Woman's University)

Tucker, Sarah, Assistant Professor and Program Director : Post-Professional OTD, 2013, PhD (UAB), Pediatrics, Cycle of Incarceration

Vice, Jason, Assistant Professor, 2016, MS (UAB), Low Vision Rehabilitation; Visual Neuroscience; Eye Movements

Wingo, Brooks, Associate Professor, 2013, PhD (UAB), Behavioral interventions, dietary behaviors in neurodegenerative diseases

Yuen, Hon, Professor and Director of Research, 2010, PhD (Florida), Arts and Health, Urban Parks and Health.

Yuen, Hon, Professor and Director of Research, 2010, PhD (Florida), Arts and Health, Urban Parks and Health