Department of Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy Open House

What is an OT?

OTD Program

Core Perf Stds

About the Department of Occupational Therapy

The Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of South Alabama is proud of its many accomplishments in its short history. The OT Bachelor of Science degree program was founded in 1993 and the first class of occupational therapists graduated in 1996. In 2002, the program converted to a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy as a result of national changes in the accreditation standards.

Effective Fall 2023, we are now an entry-level doctoral program and students will earn the Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree (OTD) when they graduate in May 2026.

Our students receive didactic, laboratory and clinical education in all facets of entry-level occupational therapy practice. Program graduates are highly sought and recruited by employers in a variety of healthcare and community settings because of their knowledge, professionalism and evaluation and intervention skills. Occupational therapy faculty members are committed to providing high quality, cutting-edge instruction. Many of the faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their scholarship and service to the profession. The Department strives to provide a collegial and challenging learning environment in which students can acquire knowledge and skills, and develop lifelong professional and personal relationships. We invite you to explore our webpages and become better acquainted with the occupational therapy program and faculty at the University of South Alabama.

Career Growth for Occupational Therapists

The outlook for careers as an occupational therapist indicates a 14% growth from 2021 to 2031 which is much faster than the average for all occupations. There are 10,100 openings for occupational therapists each year. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm

Salaries for Occupational Therapists

Salaries are highly competitive- see link to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Accreditation Status

The University of South Alabama entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) degree program
has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status by the Accreditation Council for
Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

ACOTE Contact Information
Address: 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (301) 652-AOTA
Website: www.acoteonline.org
Current Status: Candidacy Granted

This new OTD 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 are usually 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.
OTD students must successfully complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork, as well as, the 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 required coursework
and Level II fieldwork as well as completion of preparatory activities defined in the 2023 D standards.
ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs
satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy
assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational
Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and
Puerto Rico. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please
refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage.

Credentialing

The University of South Alabama Department of Occupational Therapy graduates have consistently performed above the national average on the NBCOT Exam.  To see our latest statistics, visit NBCOT School Performance.

NBCOT Success Rate

Over the past six years, USA graduates have achieved an overall pass rate of 100% on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination, well above the national average.