Students log into a passcode protected course site. The site is available at all times to the student. The course content is delivered through use of narrated power point presentations and videos on specific topics. Students participate with classmates and instructors in online discussion boards to analyze cases and discuss course topics and the application to clinical practice.

There are two area of specialization in the OTD. One is low vision. Because low vision rehabilitation is a very large field, it is not possible, even with an extensive curriculum, to comprehensively address treatment intervention for both children and adults. The emphasis of the low vision curriculum is older adults, however pediatric therapists can apply the principles to their practice and complete the final project on a topic addressing pediatric vision issues. The healthcare quality and safety courses are for the working professional seeking to broaden or develop expertise in the health quality and patient safety field; information from these courses can be applied to any healthcare setting. The general track courses can be applied to an individuals’ practice settings. These courses all require integration of material into clinical practice which means almost all clinical practice areas will benefit.

Yes, the credential UAB will use is OTD.

It is preferred that you enroll in the clinical doctorate program, but if you would like to take a few classes to see if the online format works for you that is acceptable.

You can take 1 or 2 courses, depending on how soon you want to complete your degree. Taking 2 courses a semester means you will finish in about 2 years; 1 course a semester will take 4 years.

Yes, as long as your degree is from a program accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT). You must provide documentation that you graduated from a school with WFOT accreditation. The Graduate School may require confirmation of degree equivalency. A transcript evaluation from World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators may be required.

We are accepting occupational therapy assistants into the program as long as they also have a bachelor’s degree as well as the OTA credential. The focus of the BS degree can be in another field.

No – this is a post-professional degree and does not have the elements you would need that are included in an entry level OTD or master’s program.

To combine the programs, you must submit the required documents and be accepted into EACH program separately. If you are already enrolled in the certificate program, or if you completed it in the last five years then your coursework will apply to the clinical doctorate.

Yes, you can take coursework for both programs concurrently depending on your schedule.

Yes, and the credit hours completed in the certificate program will apply towards the clinical doctorate degree. However, you must meet the graduate school requirements for the clinical doctorate. Students considering this option are required to make their decision prior to the final semester of the certificate program and apply so they can meet these requirements without disrupting completion of the program. Students will have to fill out the separate application and pay the application fee through the Graduate School for the clinical doctorate even if they are already accepted into the low vision certificate program.