Department of Occupational Therapy Staff	(251) 445-9222
Chair	Donna A. Wooster, PhD.
Associate Professor	Wooster
Assistant Professors	Hall, O'Connor, Taylor, Somerville
Instructors	Deacy, Thompson

Department of Occupational Therapy website
http://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/alliedhealth/ot

Occupational Therapy is a health care profession devoted to providing skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all aspects of their lives. Occupational therapists work with persons with acute and chronic physical, psychosocial, mental and developmental disabilities. An occupational therapist may aid in the growth and development of premature babies; create a learning environment for physically and mentally challenged children; adapt home environments for persons with stroke, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury and other disabilities; or create activities that are designed to restore mental health for persons with emotional, mental, or substance abuse problems. Occupational therapy focuses on "skills for the job of living" which includes all of the necessary skills for individuals to "live life to its fullest" and lead independent and satisfying lives.

The Master of Science degree program in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) is an entry-level professional program designed to enable the student to develop advanced critical reasoning skills and to prepare the graduate for professional practice in a variety of settings. Graduates will also have the capability of assuming responsibilities in the areas of administration, program development, consultation and research in occupational therapy.

The program consists of 95 semester hours and is seven consecutive semesters in length. This includes 24 weeks of full-time Level II Fieldwork as required by accreditation standards. Level II Fieldwork is available in a variety of medical and community sites representing a diverse range of learning opportunities for students. All Level II Fieldwork must be completed within 12 months following completion of academic requirements.

The program is designed to accommodate applicants who have a baccalaureate degree in another field.

A new class of MSOT students begins each year in the fall semester. Applications are available in July each year for fall of the following year.  Selected applicants, who meet all academic admission requirements, may be invited for an interview. Students offered admission may choose to guarantee a seat by submitting a matriculation fee (applied toward tuition) or be placed on the alternate list. All students accepted to the program must complete a criminal background check. Admission is contingent on the background check being clear of criminal charges.  Admissions information  is available on the Occupational Therapy Department website with instructions.  

The Master of Rehabilitation Sciences in Occupational Therapy is aimed at providing students with rich, robust, clinically relevant, and evidence-based learning experiences. Graduates will have a strong understanding of entry-level and advanced clinical services, will utilize evidence-based research relevant to the field, demonstrate leadership skills that impact delivery of high quality care for patients, and develop skills needed to serve as a patient educator, clinical educator, or faculty member. This program is intended to support international clinicians and academicians wishing to gain further experience with a variety of disorders and principles of rehabilitation. This program is not accredited by the Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education and does not lead to licensure or certification in the United States. Graduation from this program does not guarantee admission to a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy or Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. Students enrolled in this program are not eligible for federal financial aid. Admission to the RSOT program is on a competitive basis. For admissions information, visit the department’s website.

The RSOT program is an in-residence program requiring 30 credit hours. The program runs August to July and is divided into three semesters (Fall, Spring and Summer).