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Contact
Christine Gunnigle
Director/Instructor
Admissions Questions
Dorothy Yates
Limited Enrollment Specialist
Plan of Study
(Courses by Semester)Occupational Therapy Assistant
Long Term
Course work includes human growth and development, conditions which interfere with activities of daily living, theory and process of occupational therapy, individual/group treatment activities, therapeutic use of self, activity analysis, and grading/adapting activities and environments.
Graduates may be eligible to take the national certification examination for practice as a certified occupational therapy assistant. Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, long-term/extended care facilities, sheltered workshops, schools, home health programs, and community programs.
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ's Occupational Therapy/Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-6611, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
- Program Costs
Occupational Therapy Assistant program estimated costs are listed below. Tuition is based on in-state residency. Out-of-state residency tuition can be found on the Tuition and Fees webpage.
Expense Cost Tuition (69 credits) $5,244 ($76 per credit) Textbooks $600 per program OTA Student Fees (OTA uniforms, lab fees for OTA courses, liability insurance, background check, drug screen, and Castlebranch health tracker) $338 per program Student Administrative Fess (Computer Use and Technology, Student Activity Fee, College Access, Parking and security Fee) $418 per program Distance Education 0 Total $6,600
Fees are subject to change- Program Outcomes
The total number of graduates from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program during the 3-year period of 2020–2022 was 67 with an overall graduation rate of 83.6 percent.
Results for First-time Test Takers Year Number of Students Accepted into Program Number of Program Graduates Program Graduation Rates Number of Test Takers Number who Passed the Exam Percentage who Passed the Exam 2021 20 15 75% 23 22 96% 2022 23 18 78.3% 19 19 100% 2023
22
15
68.2%
15
15
100%
Three-Year Total
65
56
73.8%
57
56
98.6%
Note: Program graduates may sit for the exam whenever they choose, so the number of first-time test takers does not always match the number of graduates in a given year. The number of first- time test takers may also include graduates from the previous year.Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found on the .
- Graduation Requirements
For additional information about requirements and graduation, please refer to the Curriculum Program Completion and Graduation policy. Students enrolled in the OTA program must be able to demonstrate competency in theory, laboratory, and clinical work by meeting Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ’s academic standards and by maintaining a grade of ‘C’ or better in ALL curriculum courses (OTA, BIO, PSY, and ENG prefix codes, as well as the humanities elective). Please refer to the plan of study for the required courses. Due to the dynamic nature of the OT profession, students are required to complete the program within four years of their enrollment in OTA 110. This time frame is the equivalent of 12 semesters. Additionally, OTA students must maintain the required records and insurance coverage necessary for clinical placement. For questions about this program, consult the Program Director or an advisor for assistance.
- Certification
The national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant is administered by the Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) at . After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states, including North Carolina, require licensure to practice as a COTA; licensure in North Carolina is based on results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. These processes are separate from the college’s program and graduation requirements. Students are encouraged to contact NBCOT for additional information.
- Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA)
SOTA is a non-profit, student-run organization that promotes occupational therapy through community service, public relations, fundraising, and campus activities. SOTA provides fellowship among students and faculty, educational opportunities through community service activities, and leadership opportunities within the organization.
Membership is a great opportunity to meet current OTA students in the program, learn more about OT and get involved in community. The SOTA membership fee is $5 for current OTA students and $2 for prospective OTA students per semester.
How to Apply
Program applications are accepted until April 1 for a Summer start.
- Before you Apply
View the Admissions Checklist. Students are required to attend an information session (recommended). The are listed in the Upcoming Events section below.
- Apply to the College
New students who are not currently enrolled at Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ÊÓƵ should apply to the College using the Health Tech Students then Steps to Apply.
- Apply to the Program
Prerequisites must be completed before applying to the program. Review the Admissions Checklist. Apply to the OTA program during the application period using the online .