Alabama · 2027 admissions
Occupational Therapy Schools in Alabama
By Deepam Pawar, OT · Updated October 9, 2026 · Sources: ACOTE directory + each program’s own website
Alabama has 7 entry-level occupational therapy programs listed by ACOTE: 5 doctoral (OTD) and 2 master's. 3 are fully accredited and admitting; the rest are new programs in development. Occupational therapists in Alabama earn a median $94,050 a year.
Compare OT programs in Alabama at a glance
NBCOT results, length, published cost and admission requirements side by side, all from official sources. Accredited programs first, sorted by 2025 pass rate.
| Program | Degree | NBCOT 2025 | Length | Published cost | Min. GPA | GRE | Obs. hours | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University Montgomery | OTD | 100% | — | — | 3 | — | 20 | — |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham | OTD | 94% | — | $74,553* | 3 | — | 20 | — |
| University of South Alabama Mobile | OTD | — | — | $59,280 | — | No | 20 | — |
| Tuskegee University Candidacy Tuskegee | Master’s | 75% | 2 years | $50,946 | 3 | — | 20 | Fall (mid-August) |
| Alabama State University Preaccreditation Montgomery | OTD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| The University of Alabama Applicant Tuscaloosa | OTD | — | Eight semesters (planned) | — | — | — | — | — |
| University of North Alabama Candidacy Florence | Master’s | — | — | — | 3 | — | 30 | — |
— = not published or not yet verified. Costs are as each school publishes them (full-program tuition; * = all-in total). NBCOT = share of new graduates passing in 2025. Click a program for sources and quotes.
All occupational therapy programs in Alabama
Filter by degree or format. Click a school for its verified details and a link to the program.
| Program | City | Length | Format | NBCOT | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Montgomery | See program | See program | 100% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD) | Birmingham | See program | See program | 94% ’25 | Accredited |
| University of South Alabama Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Mobile | See program | See program | — | Accredited |
| Alabama State University Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) | Montgomery | See program | See program | — | Preaccreditation |
| The University of Alabama Doctor of Occupational Therapy (in development) | Tuscaloosa | Eight semesters (planned) | See program | — | Applicant |
| Tuskegee University Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | Tuskegee | 2 years | See program | 75% ’25 | Candidacy |
| University of North Alabama Master of Science in Occupational Therapy | Florence | See program | See program | — | Candidacy |
Status and degree level from the ACOTE directory. Length and format only where confirmed on the program’s own website. NBCOT = share of the program’s new graduates who passed the NBCOT exam in the latest year reported (NBCOT school performance data, retrieved 2026-10-08); new programs have no results yet.
OTD programs in Alabama
- Alabama State University · Montgomery
- Faulkner University · Montgomery
- The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa
- University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham
- University of South Alabama · Mobile
Master’s (MOT/MSOT) programs in Alabama
- Tuskegee University · Tuskegee
- University of North Alabama · Florence
New OT programs opening in Alabama
4 programs in Alabama are in ACOTE’s accreditation process (Applicant, Candidacy or Preaccreditation). Under ACOTE policy, a new program must be granted full Accreditation status before its graduates can sit for the NBCOT exam, so ask each school where it is in that process.
- Alabama State University — Entry-level OTD, preaccreditation (ACOTE on-site visit: 2026/2027)
- The University of Alabama — Entry-level OTD, applicant (ACOTE on-site visit: 2031/2032)
- Tuskegee University — Entry-level master's, candidacy (ACOTE on-site visit: 2027/2028)
- University of North Alabama — Entry-level master's, candidacy (ACOTE on-site visit: 2027/2028)
All new OT programs nationwide and what each ACOTE status means →
OTD or master's in Alabama?
Both degrees qualify you for the NBCOT exam and a Alabama license. The difference is time, cost, and the 14-week doctoral capstone.
- 5 OTD programs.
- 2 master's programs.
- NBCOT pass rate: the median program here reported 94% of new graduates passing in 2025 (3 programs). Compare nationally.
- 1 confirmed no-GRE program. No-GRE list.
Pay in Alabama
U.S. median for occupational therapists: $100,330. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Compare all states.
How to become an occupational therapist in Alabama
- Earn a bachelor’s degree and the prerequisites your target programs require (usually anatomy and physiology, psychology, and statistics). See OT school prerequisites.
- Graduate from an ACOTE-accredited master’s or OTD program, including at least 24 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork (plus a 14-week capstone for the OTD).
- Pass the NBCOT OTR exam to become a registered occupational therapist.
- Apply for a Alabama license from the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy before you practice. See how to get licensed in Alabama.
Frequently asked questions
How many occupational therapy schools are in Alabama?
ACOTE lists 7 entry-level OT programs at 7 schools in Alabama: 5 doctoral (OTD) and 2 master's. 4 programs are new and still working toward full accreditation.
Should I choose an OTD or a master's program in Alabama?
Both are entry-level degrees: graduates of either take the same NBCOT exam and get the same state license. The OTD adds a 14-week doctoral capstone, so it usually takes longer and costs more. Alabama has 5 OTD and 2 master's programs. See master's vs. doctorate.
How much do occupational therapists make in Alabama?
The median annual wage for occupational therapists in Alabama was $94,050 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 80% earned $76,670 to $123,870.
Are there occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs in Alabama?
Yes: 3 OTA programs. See OTA schools in Alabama.
Sources: ACOTE school directory (retrieved October 9, 2026); each program’s website (linked on its page); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS (May 2025). Found an error? Tell us and we will re-check the source.