Department of Occupational Therapy

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.

Licensure

The University of South Alabama MS in Occupational Therapy Program is an accredited program by ACOTE®. Students completing the prescribed graduate courses including clinical fieldwork components for the MS in Occupational Therapy meet the academic requirements needed to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam. Our MSOT graduates are eligible to take the NBCOT exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

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.