LOW VISION REHABILITATION, GRADUATE CERTIFICATE
Occupational Therapy
Low Vision Rehabilitation, Graduate Certificate
The Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation is a practice oriented certificate program that prepares occupational therapists to provide comprehensive, competent intervention to adults with visual impairment from age-related eye diseases or brain injury. The program is designed for occupational therapists already working in low vision rehabilitation; those interested in starting low vision rehabilitation programs; and those interested in expanding their practice skills in this area. The program's flexible web-based distance format allows occupational therapists across the United States and other English speaking countries to obtain these skills while working full time.
Credentials Conferred
The Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation is awarded by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Length of Study
The certificate requires 5 semesters to complete; students take 1 course per semester.
Program Entrance Date
Fall semester (begins in August)
Requirements for Admission
Degree in occupational therapy from an accredited university program.
Essential Requirements
After acceptance and prior to enrollment into online programs, students must certify their ability to complete the essential tasks, with or without reasonable accommodation, associated with performing as an occupational therapy student. Reasonable accommodation refers to ways in which the University can assist students with disabilities to accomplish these tasks (for example, providing extra time to complete an examination). Reasonable accommodation does not mean that students with disabilities will be exempt from certain tasks; it does mean that the Department of Occupational Therapy will work with students with disabilities to determine whether there are ways to assist the student with completion of the required tasks.
After enrollment, a student with a disability who wishes reasonable accommodation contacts Disability Support Services (205) 934-4205 or (205) 934-4248 (TDD), provides appropriate and current documentation substantiating the claimed disability, meets the requirements of a disability as described in the ADA, and identifies the needed accommodation. Reasonable accommodation in classroom and in practice settings cannot be provided without the formal request and the required documentation of the ADA defined disability. (Visit http://www.uab.edu/students/disability).
Essential Tasks
- Students must meet class standards for course completion throughout the curriculum.
- Students must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English at a level consistent with successful course completion and development of positive client-therapist relationships.
- Students must complete readings, assignments, and other activities.
- Students must gather decision-making pieces of information during client assessment activities.
- Students must perform evaluation and intervention activities by direct performance keys.
- Students must apply critical thinking processes to their work in the courses.
- Students must have interpersonal skills as needed for productive discussion, respectful interaction with classmates and faculty.
- Students must demonstrate appropriate health status prior to enrollment with annual updates on some items. Requirements are found at www.uab.edu/studenthealth.
- Students must follow standards and policies specified in the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Handbook, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham Directions Handbook.
- Students must adhere to all policies outlined in the Department of Occupational Therapy Student Handbook which is posted online at www.uab.edu/shp/ot/contact-us/student-resources.
Application Deadline and Procedure
See Occupational Therapy Low Vision Rehabilitation Admissions Checklist on the Overview page.
International Students:
See Occupational Therapy Low Vision Rehabilitation Admissions Checklist, in addition to the following items:
- A transcript evaluation from World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators (www.ece.org) may be required.
- Students from countries where English is not the official and primary language may be required to take and receive an acceptable score on the TOEFL, or the IELTS.
- Submit official TOEFL test score (Institution code: 1856) or official IELTS score (provide the Graduate School's mailing address to the testing company/center).
Typical Program (Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours)
The curriculum is designed with the working occupational therapist in mind. Coursework emphasizes practical application to the clinic. Projects are designed to reinforce learning of application to practice. Materials for completion of the courses can be obtained through the internet and required texts. The student must have consistent access to the internet. A high-speed connection (DSL, cable, satellite) is strongly recommended.
Certificate
On completion of the required coursework the student will be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation by the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the student’s name will appear in the commencement bulletin. A transcript of the coursework taken for the certificate will be available.
The curriculum for the certificate is offered online as web-based distance education for practitioners. Students accepted into the program begin the curriculum in August and complete one course per semester. Because one course builds on another, students must take the courses in sequence. The final course requires that the student come to the UAB campus for a 2-day on campus intensive where they will work in small groups with instructors to demonstrate assessment and intervention skills. This is the only time the student is required to come to the UAB campus during the entire curriculum. Travel to UAB for the intensive weekend may be waived under special circumstances. Examples include limitations in travel due to disability, illness, or travel from outside the U.S. A series of online meetings will be substituted. Travel exceptions are at the discretion of the Low Vision Rehabilitation Program Director. Based on these requirements, course work for completion of the certificate will require 5 semesters.
LOW VISION REHABILITATION CURRICULUM
The courses must be completed sequentially in the order listed below.
Typical OT Curriculum Course Sequence
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Cohort | ||
| OT 677 | Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation I (1st Fall semester) | 3 |
| OT 679 | Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation II (1st Spring semester) | 3 |
| 1st Summer semester Open | ||
| OT 690 | Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation III (2nd Fall semester) | 3 |
| OT 689 | Foundations in Treatment of Visual Impairment from Brain Injury (2nd Spring semester) | 3 |
| OT 691 | Foundations in Low Vision Rehabilitation IV (2nd Summer semester) | 3 |
| Total Credits 15 credits | ||
For further information contact:
Program Coordinator
Occupational Therapy Low Vision Rehabilitation Certificate Program
UAB School of Health Professions
SHPB 352
1716 9th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294-1212
Telephone 205-934-3569
E-mail lvrcert@uab.edu
Web http://www.uab.edu/shp/ot/low-vision-rehabilitation
