Interim Program Director: Rowe
Faculty: Barstow, DeLuca, Eidson, Foley, Jenkins, Rowe, Vogtle, Warren, Yuen
The Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham offers two master's degree programs and a graduate certificate in low vision. The professional program is an entry-level program in occupational therapy for individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree in a field other than occupational therapy. The postprofessional program provides advanced learning for the individual who already holds a degree in occupational therapy. In addition to the master's degrees, the department offers a graduate certificate in low vision rehabilitation for those who are already an occupational therapist.
Professional Degree Program: The MSOT entry-level or professional program is a full-time day program. A portfolio or thesis is required for graduation.
Accreditation: The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, PO Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220; telephone: (301) 652-AOTA.
Credentials Conferred: Diploma The Master of Science degree is awarded by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Professional Certification: Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the occupational therapist certification
examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the exam, 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.
Length of Study: Minimum of 7 semesters (2 1/2 years) as a full-time student.
Program Entrance Date: Fall semester of each year a new class is enrolled.
Application Deadline: See below for OTCAS deadlines.
Application Procedure:
This program participates in the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). Please consult link (http://portal.OTCAS.org ) for more information regarding specific OTCAS application requirements, procedures and, fees. The OTCAS application needs to be completed by February 15, 2011 for the class beginning August 2012. Applicants should send all application materials directly to OTCAS. OTCAS will verify the application information and send completed applications to the program.
Received by UAB Department of Occupational Therapy (Entry Level)
1705 University Boulevard; SHPB 351
1530 3rd Avenue South
Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1212
Requirements for Admission: Selection into the program will be based on the student's academic performance record and aptitude for a career as an occupational therapist. The candidate must satisfy the following requirements:
- hold a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than occupational therapy from an accredited college or university; or receive a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than occupational therapy by the time of enrollment;
- have a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (A=4.0);
- have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (A=4.0) in the prerequisite coursework;
- participate in a personal interview with members of the faculty of the Department of Occupational Therapy. The interview is scheduled once the application is received; and
- complete steps outlined under Application Procedures.
Variations in these requirements are considered. In cases where applicants do not meet the principle requirements for admission, they may be admitted on probation with approval of the Graduate School Dean.
Procedures Following Acceptance: Once admitted, students will be allowed to enroll into the program in the desired entry year only if the following has been received by the dates designated in the Enrollment Information Packet:
Received by UAB Student Health:
completed UAB Medical History Questionnaire and physical examination, including proof of required immunizations with satisfactory screening by the UAB Medical Center Student Health Service;
proof of health insurance coverage;
Received by the Department of Occupational Therapy:
updated transcripts indicating successful completion of prerequisites and proof of degree completion;
signed Letter of Intent; and
$300 nonrefundable tuition deposit to reserve a seat in the program (deposit will be applied to tuition)
Essential Requirements: Fundamental tasks, behaviors, and abilities necessary to successfully complete the academic and clinical requirements of the program and to satisfy licensure/certification requirements, if any, have been outlined and are available upon request from the academic program office. Students requesting disability accommodations must do so by filing a disability accommodation request in writing with the Disability Support Services Office.
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 visits 516 Hill University Center, 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.
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 outside of class hours.
- Students must gather decision-making pieces of information during client assessment activities in class or in the fieldwork setting without the use of an intermediary, such as a classmate, an occupational therapy assistant, or an aide.
- Students must perform intervention activities in class or in the fieldwork setting by direct performance or by instruction and supervision of intermediaries.
- Students must apply critical thinking processes to their work in the classroom and in the fieldwork setting, exercise sound judgment in class and in fieldwork, and follow safety procedures established for each class and fieldwork setting.
- Students must have interpersonal skills as needed for productive classroom discussion, respectful interaction with classmates and faculty, and development of appropriate therapist-client relationships .
- Students must maintain personal appearance and hygiene conducive to classroom and fieldwork settings.
- Students must pass a cardiopulmonary resuscitation course at the health professional level (American Heart Association, Course C) every two years under Alabama guidelines for CPR certification.
- Students must demonstrate appropriate health status prior to enrollment, with annual updates on some items: no active tuberculosis, rubella (German measles) and rubeola (measles) immunity, tetanus-diphtheria booster within 10 years of anticipated graduation, and hepatitis B vaccine series or written declination.
- Students must annually complete OSHA-regulated Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Training.
- Students must follow standards and policies specified in the School of Occupational Therapy Student Manual, the Letter of Understanding (contract between university and fieldwork sites), and the University of Alabama Student Handbook.
(See Section IX Fieldwork Experience for ADA issues related to fieldwork)
Program Prerequisites - UAB Equivalents*
(Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours)
The applicant must have completed successfully (minimum grade of C, courses taken pass/fail are not accepted) prerequisite coursework in addition to, or in conjunction with, the baccalaureate degree. The professional occupational therapy program is a progressive and challenging curriculum. These prerequisites are designed to prepare the applicant for success once admitted into the program. To that end, applicants should pursue the highest level of preparation possible.
Written & Verbal Communication (6 hours) to include any combination of:
English Composition - EH 101 or 102 (3)
Literature - EH 216, 217 or 218 (3)
Natural Sciences and Mathematics (20-23hours) to include:
Human Anatomy* - BY 115 (4)
Human Physiology*- BY 116 (4)
Statistics - MA 180, PY 214 (3-4)
Physics* - PH 201 + L (3-4) (prerequisite -- Math 106 with grade of C or better) or Kinesiology
Computer Science* - CS 101 +L (3)
Electives (e.g. chemistry CH 105 or 115+L, or Biology ** - BY 123 +L (3-4)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (9 hours) to include
Developmental Psychology - PY 212* (Human Development/Lifespan)(3)
Abnormal Psychology* - PY 218 (3)
Electives (sociology or anthropology) (3)**
*
Course must be completed within the last seven years; basic science coursework taken more than seven years ago must be repeated.
**
Course must be completed within the last 10 years
Typical Program
(Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours)
Fall Semester I
OT 607 Analysis of Occupational Performance (3)
OT 620 + Lab Foundations of Occupation: A&P (4)
OT 667 Research Methods (4)
OT 675 History and Theory of Occupation (3)
OT 677 Foundations of low Vision Rehabilitation (3)
OT 688 Occupation and Health: Groups & Communities (1)
OT 698 Master's Level Non-Thesis Research Portfolio (1)
Spring Semester II
OT 605 Therapeutic Skills (3)
OT 610 Mental Health Diagnoses Across the Lifespan(4)
OT 606 Occupation Based Practice Models (3)
OT 623 + Lab Foundations of Occupation: Neuroscience (3)
OT 631 Foundations of Occupation: Biomechanics (4)
OT 688 Occupation and Health: Groups & Communities (1)
OT 698 Master's Level Non-Thesis Research (1)
Summer (12 Week Session) Semester III
OT 609 Barriers to Occupational Performance (3)
OT 624 Occupations of Infants, Children, & Adolescents (4)
OT 632 Fieldwork Seminar I (1)
OT 662 +Lab Enhancing Occupational Performance: Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Other Modalities (3)
OT 673 Engagement in Occupations Through Technology I (3)
OT 688 Occupation and Health: Groups & Communities (1)
OT 698 Master's Level Non-Thesis Research (2)
Fall Semester IV
OT 625 Occupations of Adults and Older Adults I (4)
OT 633 Fieldwork Seminar II (1)
OT 661 Wellbeing and Health Through Occupations (3)
OT 668 Mental Health Practice in Adulthood (4)
OT 674 Engagement in Occupations Through Technology II (3)
OT 688 Occupation and Health: Groups & Communities (1)
OT 698 Master's Level Non-Thesis Research (1)
Spring Semester V
OT 634 Seminar in Professional Readiness (2)
OT 653 Using the Lit: Evidence Based Practice (3)
OT 663 Promoting Occupation in Communities (2)
OT 664 Promoting Occupation in Organizations (2)
OT 665 Occupations of Adults and Older Adults II (4)
OT 688 Occupation & Health: Groups & Communities (1)
OT 698 Master's Level Non-Thesis Research (2)
Summer Semester VI
OT 685 Advanced Field Experience I (10)
Fall Semester VII
OT 686 Advanced Field Experience II (10)
A minimum total of six credit hours of Master's Level Non-Thesis Research must be completed to meet graduation requirements.
For further information, contact:
Program Director
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
School of Health Professions
SHP 353
1530 3rd Avenue South
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1212
Telephone: (205) 934-3568
E-mail:
msot@uab.edu