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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (0372)
Health Science Division
RECOMMENDED COURSES FOR CAREER
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAMS
The OTA program admits one class per year that begins each fall semester (mid-August).
The deadline to apply is
June 1
st
of the year you wish to enter the professional phase. The
professional phase is completed over 4 semesters (16 months) with the student graduating
the following fall semester (fall, spring, summer, and fall).
The deadline for applying (June 1) occurs during the SUMMER semester prior to the FALL
semester start date. If a student is enrolled in courses that will complete all requirements
during the Summer Semester of the June 1 deadline, the student may submit the application
with those required courses still in progress.
Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the National Board for Certification in
Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination. After successful completion of this
examination the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Most
states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the
results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
*If you have a felony or have been convicted of legal and/or moral violations, NBCOT
and the state licensure board have the right to refuse to grant you certification and/or
licensure.
To be considered for admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, the
applicant must:
1. Be admitted to Darton State College.
2. Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher,
or
a 2.5
cumulative GPA (or the last 40 credit hours completed).
3. Must complete a minimum of 40 observational hours of work/volunteer experience
in two or more occupational therapy settings.
4. At least two recommendation forms completed by an OT or OTA.
5. Must include a hand written essay explaining why you have chosen OTA as a
career.
6. Completion of prerequisite coursework.
7. Completion of immunization form by private physical or health department to include
hepatitis series and PPD current within 3 months of June 1 deadline.
The OTA Selection Committee reviews and scores each application based on the following
criteria: grade point averages (cumulative GPA and GPA for all prerequisite coursework),
the number of hours observed in two or more occupational therapy settings, the hand written
essay, and appropriate recommendations received.
Mission:
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Darton State College strives to
provide students with the knowledge and competencies needed to:
Pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination
Practice as a generalist in both current practice settings and emerging practice settings
as defined by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
Adhere to the upmost levels of professionalism and ethical behaviors
Be actively involved in state and national occupational therapy associations and to become
life-long learners