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Top 5 Occupational Therapy Schools in Alabama

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Occupational Therapy Schools in Alabama

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Finding the best Occupational Therapy Schools in Alabama state? Then Here are the best Occupational Therapy Schools in Alabama.

Alabama is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. Alabama had three universities ranked in the top 100 Public Schools in America.

It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, and Mississippi to the west.

So if you live nearby Alabama state then look at OT Schools in Georgia and OT Schools in Mississippi.

How do I become an occupational therapist in Alabama?

Step 1: Obtain the Required Education. Occupational Therapy Assistants:
Step 2: Complete an Internship
Step 3: Get NBCOT Certification
Step 4: Take the Alabama Licensing Exam
Step 5: Submit a License Application
Occupational Therapists must complete 1.5 continuing education units (CEU) each year or 3.0 CEUs every two years in order to maintain their license.

Alabama State Occupational Therapy

Alabama State has an ACOTE Accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) school and 4 Occupational Therapy Schools.

Requirements for Licensure

  1. Completed and signed application
  2. Name of licensed occupational therapist supervisor for OTAs
  3. Letter of verification from NBCOT
  4. License verification from each state where you hold or have held a license
License TypeStatutory FeeTotal Fee
License Application Occupational Therapist$140.00$145.60
License Application Occupational Therapy Assistant$115.00$119.60
Limited Permit Occupational Therapist$25.00$26.00
Limited Permit Occupational Therapy Assistant$25.00$26.00

You can get the OT license from the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy. The Board was created by the State Legislature (ACT 90-383) in 1990 to regulate the practice of Occupational Therapy in Alabama.

Best Occupational Therapy Schools in Alabama

NoNameDegreeAccredadition
1.Alabama State Universityย OT Mastersย Accreditation
2.Faulkner Universityย OT Doctorateย Applicant
3.Tuskegee Universityย OT MastersAccreditation
4.University of Alabama at Birminghamย OT DoctorateAccreditation
5.University of Alabama at Birminghamย OT MastersCandidacy
6.University of South Alabamaย OT MastersAccreditation

Alabama State University

College of Health Science is part of Alabama State University. Founded in 1867, ASU is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

College of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Details

Course OfferedMaster of Science in Occupational therapy (OT)
University CampusMontgomery, AL
StatusAccreditation
Public or PrivatePublic Institute.
Course Duration7 Semester Regular:5 semesters didactic, 2-semester fieldwork
Seat capacityup to 24

PREREQUISITE
PREREQUISITE COURSE/SUBJECT AREATOTAL NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED
Introduction to Psychology3
Developmental (Lifespan) Psychology3
Abnormal Psychology3
Behavioral Science Elective Course *3
English/Writing/Literature6
College Algebra or above3
Statistics3
General Biology with Lab4
Biological Science Elective with Lab **4
Human Anatomy with Lab ***4
Human Physiology with Lab ***4
Physics with Lab (Kinesiology or Biomechanics may be substituted)4

* Recommended behavioral science elective courses include sociology, psychology of learning, theories of personality, psychology of gender, etc.

** Recommended biology elective courses include cell biology, histology, molecular biology, microbiology, or immunology

*** Human Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) I and II may be substituted for separate courses in human anatomy and physiology. Courses must be taken in sequence. If you take A&P I, you must take A&P II. If you take Anatomy, you must take Physiology.

Prerequisites and program courses are subject to change without notice.

Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3.0 undergraduate grade point average [GPA] with official transcripts)
  • Prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to be considered for the program 
  • MAT or GRE score transcripts – no minimum score is required.  (GRE -Verbal of 150 or higher OR 3.5 or higher on the analytical writing is encouraged. MAT- 385 or higher encouraged) You do not need to send the scores to ASU. Simply upload a screenshot or put all scores in manually. THIS REQUIREMENT IS CURRENTLY WAIVED.
  • ASU OT Program prerequisite courses – grade of “B” or better recommended in each
  • Applicants are also required to have 3 different letters of recommendation. Typically, letters are provided by the following: an employer, licensed OT you shadowed, or an academic professor. If applicants are unable to achieve this requirement due to COVID-19, their case will be reviewed individually to identify an alternative individual to provide a letter of recommendation prior to the application deadline.    
  • Early Determination (a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure). This will be completed at the time of the Onsite Interview.
  • Observation/Volunteer Hours (minimum of 40 hours in 2 facilities/settings within 12 months of submission). These hours must be completed at the time of application. Virtual observation hours are also available by completing the Occupational Therapy Online Shadowing Experience (Credit: C. Lucas, 2020) modules available at https://rise.articulate.com/share/oqbmWqPTs5TB36aI5R7DUMblwykJiY_Y You will need to secure the log-in information from ASU OT (jtyner@alasu.edu) in order to access this particular site.  If you choose this option, you will upload assignments and reflections as observation documentation in the OTCAS portal prior to the application deadline (November 1, 2020). 
  • Onsite Interview:  Candidates selected for the required Onsite Interview will be notified in January. The required onsite interviews will be scheduled in February.
  • Students may apply with up to two (2) outstanding prerequisites, provided they fall into one of the following categories:
    One (1) or two (2) prerequisites in progress during the Spring semester.
    One (1) missing prerequisite, scheduled for the Summer semester.
    One(1) prerequisite in progress during the Spring semester & one (1) scheduled for the Summer semester
  • Students with two (2) or more outstanding prerequisites (none in progress) will NOT be considered for admission.
  • Applicants must complete a minimum of 40 shadowing hours under a licensed occupational therapist and these must be completed at time of application. If applicants are unable to achieve this requirement due to COVID-19, this will not impact your application as each case will be considered on an individual basis. Resources will be available on the ASU OT and OTCAS webpages to help ensure an understanding of occupational therapy in a variety of settings.
  • Online resources that provide an introduction to occupational therapy can be found by clicking here.
Alabamaย state universityย occupational therapyย tuition

Undergraduate Students

The cost of attending Alabama State University varies, depending upon studentsโ€™ enrollment and lifestyle decisions. Below are estimated tuition and costs for full-time undergraduate students residing on-campus during the 2021-22 academic year. You also may wish to review estimated tuition and costs for part-time undergraduate enrollment on our complete budget worksheet.

For a breakdown of fees by credit hour and by semester, download the 2021-22 Schedule of Student Tuition and Fees.

 Inโ€“StateOut-of-State
Billed Expenses  
Tuition/Fees$11,068$19,936
Room/Board$6,050$6,050
Subtotal$17,118$25,986
Other Estimated Expenses 
Books$1,320$1,320
Transportation$3,000$3,000
Miscellaneous/Personal$2,130$2,130
Subtotal$6,450$6,450
Estimated Total$23,568.00$32,436.00 

Graduate Students

Below are estimated tuition and costs for full-time graduate students residing on-campus during the 2021-22 academic year. Actual costs and fees may vary depending on enrollment and lifestyle decisions. You also may wish to review estimated tuition and costs for part-time graduate enrollment on our complete budget worksheet.

For a breakdown of fees by credit hour and by semester, download the 2021-22 Schedule of Student Tuition and Fees.

 Inโ€“StateOut-of-State
Billed Expenses  
Tuition/Fees$12,628$22,516
Room/Board$6,050$6,050
Subtotal$18,678$28,566
Other Estimated Expenses 
Books$1,320$1,320
Transportation$3,000$3,000
Miscellaneous/Personal$3,444$3,444
Subtotal$7,764$7,764
Estimated Total$26,442.00 $36,330.00

How to Apply?

The Alabama State University Department of Occupational Therapy subscribes to the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). Applicants for the Fall 2021 entering class should apply online using the OTCAS application once the portal reopens in Summer 2021.

To get started, visit the OTCAS portal at https://portal.otcas.org/. Directions for document submission appear on the OTCAS website.

Application Deadline

The Department of Occupational Therapy only admits students one time per year(Fall semester). The application deadline is November  1 of the previous Fall semester, each year. For example, students wanting to enter the Fall of 2023 will complete their application by Nov.1,2022 Applications must be verified by Nov.1.

Address And Contact

  • 915 South Jackson Street, PO Box 271Montgomery AL 
  • 36101-0271334-229-5056
  • jmaxwell@alasu.edu
  • Last on-site: 2016/2017
  • Next on-site: 2026/2027

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Ranked in the top 25 of the Best Occupational Schools by U.S. News and World Report

School of Health Professions Details

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Occupational Therapy Assistant School is one of the best in the state. They offer an Occupational Therapy Masters degree and are accredited. The school also provides many other benefits that help students succeed. One of these is the small class size which allows for more individualized attention. Another benefit is the diverse student population, which leads to various perspectives in the classroom. Finally, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Occupational Therapy Assistant School strongly commits to service learning. This means that students have opportunities to apply what they are learning in the classroom to real-world settings. As a result, graduates from this school are well-prepared to enter the workforce as Occupational Therapy Assistants.

  • Degree Level: OT Masters
  • Institution Type: Public
  • Status: Accreditation

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is one of the best Occupational therapy assistant schools in Alabama. It provides OT Doctorate and is in Candidacy Status. The university has a long tradition of excellence in Occupational therapy education and research. It is committed to providing its students the highest quality Occupational therapy education and training. The university offers a wide range of Occupational therapy programs designed to meet the needs of the students. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredited the university.

  • Degree Level: OT Doctorate
  • Institution Type: Public
  • Status: Candidacy

Address

School of Health Professions, SHPB 355, 1720 Second Avenue SouthBirmingham AL 35294-1212205-934-3568

Tuskegee University

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at Tuskegee University is one of the best in the country. The school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and offers a wide variety of courses that prepare students for a career as an occupational therapist assistant. The faculty at Tuskegee is experienced and knowledgeable, and the curriculum is designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the field. If you’re looking for an Occupational Therapy Assistant school in Alabama, Tuskegee University should be at the top of your list.

  • Tuskegee University
  • Degree Level: OT Masters
  • Institution Type: Private Nonprofit
  • Status: Accreditation
  • School of Nursing and Allied Health, 71-271 John A. Kenney HallTuskegee AL 36088-1696334-725-2385
  • jlewisclark@tuskegee.eduLast on-site: 2015/2016Next on-site: 2025/2026

Pre-requisite 

  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Human physiology
  • Biology with lab
  • Human anatomy
  • Physics or Kinesiology
  • Statistics
  • Sociology.

Requirements:

  • Bachelorโ€™s degree
  • Minimum GPA of 2.7; MAT or GRE transcripts;
  • 3 letters of recommendation โ€“ one from an occupational therapist;
  • Minimum of 40 volunteer hours in 2 facilities/settings within 12 months of submission of the application.
  • Onsite interview

 Mailing Address:

Tuskegee University
School of Nursing and Allied Health
209 Basil O’Connor Hall
1200 W. Montgomery Rd.
Tuskegee, AL  36088

University of South Alabama

Occupational therapy assistant schools are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to become successful occupational therapists. The Occupational Therapy Assistant program at the University of Tuskegee is one of the best in the country. The Occupational Therapy Master of Science degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Occupational Therapy Education (CAOTE). The Occupational Therapy Assistant program provides students with a strong foundation in occupational therapy theory and practice. The Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Tuskegee University is an excellent choice for those interested in becoming licensed occupational therapists.

  • Course Offered โ€“ Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy
  • University Campus-Phoenix, AZ
  • Seat capacity: up to 30
  • Status: Accreditation
  • Public or Private- Public Institute.
  • Course Duration- 7 Semester Regular 5 semesters didactic, 2-semester fieldwork

Requirements

  • Baccalaureate degree
  • GPA of 3.0 or better.
  • Report from the GRE (Min. Score- 290)
  • A minimum of 25 contact hours under a licensed occupational therapist.
  • International applicants must have a TOEFL

Prerequisite 

  • Developmental (life span) psychology 
  • Abnormal psychology
  • Anatomy & Physiology I & II 
  • **Kinesiology (biomechanics) preferred / or physics with algebra/trigonometry (KIN 380 or PH 114) 

Address

Department of Occupational Therapy
University of South Alabama
HAHN 2027
5721 USA Drive North
Mobile, AL 36688-0002
Telephone: (251) 445-9222
FAX: (251) 445-9211
Email: otdept@southalabama.edu and otadmissions@southalabama.edu

Faulkner University

Occupational therapy assistant schools in Alabama offer a variety of OT programs. Faulkner University is one of the best Occupational therapy assistant schools in the state. It offers an OT Doctorate degree and is an Applicant Status. The Occupational therapy assistant program at Faulkner University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Occupational Therapy Education (COTE). The program has been ranked among the top 10% of Occupational therapy assistant programs in the nation by US News and World Report.Students in the Occupational therapy program at Faulkner University will gain clinical experience through fieldwork and externships. They will also have the opportunity to participate in research projects. The Occupational therapy program at Faulkner University prepares students for a career as an occupational therapist. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the national certification examination for occupational therapists.

Occupational therapy Assistant schools in Alabama- (OTA program)

Here is the list of Occupational therapy Assistant schools in Alabama state.

Wallace State Community College

Address: 801 Main St NW, Hanceville, AL 35077, United States

Phone: +1 256-352-8000

Does Alabama have an occupational therapy program?

Yes, Alabama has 6 occupational therapy programs

How much does a COTA make in Alabama?

The average salary for a certified occupational therapy assistant isย $24.28 per hourย in Alabama.

Conclusion

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About the author

One response to “Top 5 Occupational Therapy Schools in Alabama”

  1. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    Faulkner is not a COTA program. It is OTD only. Here is the link to their website. https://www.faulkner.edu/graduate/graduate-degrees/occupational-therapy/

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