Application Process
Application Deadlines:
Deadline to apply is August 1.
Application Fees:
- Domestic applicants and green card holders: $50
- International applicants: $60
Application Requirements
All applications must be submitted through the UAB Graduate School and must include all required materials to be considered for admission.
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All Applicants
Applicants must have:
- A master’s or bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program, or an occupational therapy assistant (OTA) degree and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
- Current or previous employment as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, with at least 1 year of clinical experience.
- The ability to complete the essential tasks associated with being an occupational therapy student, with or without reasonable accommodation. View the list of essential tasks and reasonable accommodations.
- A curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in their most recent degree.
- A letter of intent describing how the program aligns with their career goals. The letter should be two to four double-spaced pages and must be submitted before the interview.
- Three letters of reference from professional colleagues or supervisors.
- An interview, conducted online or in person.
The GRE is not required.
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International Applicants
International applicants must also meet the following requirements:
- Graduation from a World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)-approved program.
- International applicants from non-English-speaking countries must submit official English proficiency scores that meet UAB Graduate School minimum requirements. View accepted exams and minimum scores.
- The UAB Graduate School may require confirmation of degree equivalency. A transcript evaluation from World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators may be required.
Student Handbook
Read our 2026-2027 Student Handbook.
Transfer of Credit Policy
The Department of Occupational Therapy adheres to the credit transfer policy established by the UAB Graduate School. This policy is quoted below, and you can also review it and other information about academic progress on this UAB Graduate School webpage.
"Previously earned graduate credit with a grade of B or above while enrolled at another regionally accredited graduate school may be eligible for transfer into the student’s current degree program if it has not been applied toward another degree (either at UAB or elsewhere). In addition, credit may be awarded for non-collegiate courses in accordance with American Council on Education recommendations and approval of the appropriate department chair and dean. All transfer credit requests must be initiated by the student and require the approval of the graduate program director and the Graduate School. Transfer of Credit forms are available online at uab.edu/graduate/online-forms."
“Completion of this form does not guarantee that the transfer credit will be granted. No more than 12 semester hours of graduate credit can be transferred to UAB. Students wishing to request an exception to the transfer credit hour limit must receive the approval of the program director, department chair, and Graduate School Dean. Once transfer credit has been approved, it will be included in the calculation of the grade point average in the student's current UAB program."
“In programs offered jointly by UAB and other universities, all graduate credits earned in the program at a cooperating university are eligible for transfer to UAB. If a student earns credit in one UAB graduate program and is later admitted to another program, unused credits from the previous program, if applicable, are eligible for consideration for transfer into the current program.”
In keeping with this university’s policy, requests for transfer of credit from another program will be considered on an individual basis.
How to request transfer of credit
Step 1: Submit your request to the program director. Each course/credential/certification submitted for review will be evaluated for equivalence by the program director and relevant course instructor(s). You must provide the syllabi for the course under consideration for credit transfer for an equivalency review, and a competency test may be administered at the program director’s discretion. Those requesting course credit for certifications such as the American Occupational Therapy Association’s board and specialty certifications must submit proof of certification and certification criteria.
Step 2: Once you have received approval from the program director for the transfer of credit, you must fill out this transfer request form for approval from the UAB Graduate School.
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