Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Degree Requirements

Applicants must complete a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to starting the OTD program.

Prerequisite Courses

All applicants must complete each of the following prerequisites with a grade of “C” or better. Applicants may choose to repeat a course, however, the grades will be averaged and only the first retake will be used.

GPA requirements

Applicants must have a minimum prerequisite grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale as well as an overall undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale.

Letter of Introduction

Complete a short essay introducing yourself and why you want to become an
Occupational Therapist.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required with the application from a professor, a licensed Occupational Therapist, and a person who can speak to your character.

• • professor- someone who can vouch for your academic ability to matriculate successfully through a graduate professional program.
  • licensed Occupational Therapist- someone who can provide information about your professional demeanor, communication skills, and understanding of occupational therapy.
  • clergy member, church leader, coach, former employer, etc.- someone who can speak to your character, sincerity, and commitment to complete a graduate professional program.

Observations Hours

Applicants are required to complete a minimum of 40 clinical observation hours. The observation hours must occur in a minimum of 2 different settings (pediatrics, mental health, home health, acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient clinic, etc.) OT Observation Hours form

Application

In addition to the  OTCAS application, applicants must complete the Faulkner Graduate Application and submit a $75.00 application fee directly to Faulkner University.

Additional Requirements

Community service activities and leadership activities will be considered along with other factors as part of a holistic admission process.

Tuition is $750 per semester credit hour.

*subject to changed based on University set fee amount.

Books, online subscriptions, scrubs and memberships like AOTA will cost between $600-$1000 total per year. These items will be more expensive during the first year and less thereafter due to many books/items being used in multiple classes and only needing to be purchased once.

It is estimated that students should plan for at least $14,000 each year for living expenses and
transportation. This estimate would vary based on choice of accommodations, lifestyle, etc.

Applying for Fall 2023:

If you want to learn more about the occupational therapy profession, education, licensure and more please follow the links below:

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

Alabama Occupational Therapy Association (ALOTA) 

Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy

Information regarding graduation, employment, and licensure pass rates will be posted here once the program graduates its first class.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Faulkner University complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and executive orders prohibiting discrimination towards students, faculty, staff, and persons served in the program’s clinics.  This includes prohibitions on discrimination based on any category prohibited by applicable law but not limited to age, citizenship, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran status.

In connection with its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, educational programs, or activities, Faulkner University complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and executive orders prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age, citizenship, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran status to those who meet its admission criteria and are willing to uphold its values as stated in the Conduct Regulations contained in the Student Handbook and relevant program handbooks.

Faulkner University is a church-affiliated liberal arts institution committed to employing a highly qualified and diverse administration, faculty and staff, who reflect the University’s religious traditions, values, affiliation, and purpose. Faulkner University complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and executive orders prohibiting discrimination towards faculty and staff on any category prohibited by applicable law but not limited to age, citizenship, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran status. However, Faulkner University exercises a preference in employment for those qualified applicants who are members of the Churches of Christ, whose lifestyles are consistent with the mission of the University and with the beliefs and values of the Churches of Christ.

Based upon this commitment, Faulkner University follows the principle of nondiscrimination and operates within applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination. As a recipient of federal financial assistance, Faulkner is required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, as amended, not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its admissions policies, treatment of students, employment practices or educational programs except as required by religious tenets of the Churches of Christ. Faulkner has an Equal Opportunity Plan available upon request in the Office of Human Resources. Inquiries concerning the application of federal and state laws or regulations may be referred to the Office of Human Resources.

Complaints Outside of Due Process

Complaints that fall outside of the realm of due process, such as those from clinical education sites, employers of graduates and the public, must be submitted in writing, preferably within 30 days of the incident. The grievance should include the names of those involved, date and location of incident, detailed description of the incident, and any specific concerns about the incident. Faulkner university strictly prohibits retaliation of any kind following a complaint submission.

The Program Director is responsible for handling complaints that fall outside of due process. In the event the Program Director is not available or if it is inappropriate for the Program Director to handle the complaint (e.g., the complaint involves the Program Director), the complaint will be forwarded to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences or the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Program Director or his/her designee must respond to the complainant within 3 weeks of receiving the complaint. When appropriate, the Program Director or his/her designee may consult with other University offices and personnel in addressing the complaint. This may include the Vice President Of Academic Affairs and/or Program Director meeting individually or jointly with all parties involved to seek resolution. The individual will be notified in writing of the decision, including potentially developing a written corrective action plan. The written grievance and any corrective action(s) will be kept on file by the Program Director in a locked cabinet in the Program’s office for a period of 5 years, after which they will be purged while maintaining confidentiality.

Students are expected to provide members of the public with the complaint process if requested to do so, and Clinical Faculty are made aware of the policy and process through the OTD Student Handbook.

Any individual or organization that is dissatisfied with his/her experience or encounter with any student, faculty, or staff member associated with the Department of Occupational Therapy may file a complaint against the offending party with the Department of Occupational Therapy Chair/ Program Director. Complaints should be addressed as follows:

Dr. Amy Oliver
Department of Occupational Therapy
Faulkner University
5445 Atlanta Hwy
Montgomery, Al 36109
Email: aoliver@faulkner.edu
Phone: (334) 386- 7978

Complaints about the Department of Occupational Therapy or the Program Director may be submitted directly to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences and/or Vice President of Academic Affairs at the following address:

Dr. Leah Fullman
Dean, College of Health Sciences
Faulkner University
5445 Atlanta Hwy
Montgomery, Al 36109
Email: lfullman@faulkner.edu
Phone: (334) 386- 7395

Dr. Dave Rampersad
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Faulkner University
5345 Atlanta Hwy
Montgomery, Al 36109
Email drampersad@faulkner.edu
Phone: (334) 386-7102

Complaints about the OTD program or University related to compliance with accreditation standards must be submitted in writing to the Commission on Accreditation in Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). These complaints should be addressed as follows:

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)

6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
Phone: 301-652-6611
Email: accred@aota.org

Feedback About the Program

Patients, family members, or the public often want to offer positive feedback about student performance or the program.  Those persons should be directed to Dr. Oliver or Dr. Fullman at the contacts listed above.