Requirements for Admission

Acceptance is based on the students’ academic ability, aptitude for a career as an occupational therapist, interview and personal statement.

Potential students will:

• Hold a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than occupational therapy from an accredited college or university, or receive a baccalaureate degree prior to the admission year.
• Have an overall minimum GPA 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.
• Complete all prerequisite coursework prior to the admission year.
• Complete at least 20 hours of observation of occupational therapy. Various settings are recommended.
  • If you are facing challenges completing this due to the covid-19 pandemic then please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss waiving this requirement.
• If invited, complete an interview with faculty of the Department of Occupational Therapy.

Prerequisites

All prerequisites must be completed in the last 8 years with a grade of "B" or better, or must be scheduled for completion by a date of the admission year agreed upon in writing by the program director.

(Transfer equivalents for UAB can be found by clicking here.)

Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours

Arts and Humanities

• Intermediate Writing – UAB Equivalent EH302 (3 credit hours)

Social and Behavioural Sciences

• Abnormal Psychology – UAB Equivalent is PY 218 (3 credit hours)
• Developmental Psychology – UAB Equivalent is PY 212 (3 credit hours)*

*Course must cover Human Development from prenatal period to old age.

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• Statistics (must be taken in Math, Psychology or Sociology) – UAB Equivalent MA 180, PY216 or SOC 410 (3-4 credit hours)
• Biology with Lab – UAB Equivalent BY123/L (4 credit hours)
• Human Anatomy with Lab – UAB equivalent BY115/L (4 credit hours)
• Human Physiology with Lab – UAB equivalent BY116/L (4 credit hours)
• Kinesiology – UAB Equivalent is KIN307 (4 credit hours)
• Introductory Sociology – UAB Equivalent SOC 100 (3 credit hours) or Cultural anthropology – UAB Equivalent ANTH 101 (3 credit hours)

Transfer of Credit Policy

The Department adheres to the credit transfer policy established by the UAB Graduate School.

You will also find specific policy wording in the current Occupational Therapy Student Handbook (click here for the 2023-24 version).

In keeping with this University policy, requests for transfer of graduate credit from another entry-level occupational therapy program, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), will be considered on an individual case basis and will require approval from the program director and the department chair before it is submitted for approval to the Graduate School Dean. Each course submitted for review will be evaluated for equivalency to the required department course by the faculty member currently teaching the course, and the program director. Course syllabi must be provided for equivalence review, and a competency test may be administered at the program director's discretion.

Application Process

Additional Information

For information regarding admissions to the Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program in the UAB Department of Occupational Therapy, please contact Kerry McAlpine at (205) 934-5420 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.