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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (0372)
Health Sciences Department
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE CAREER - DEGREE PROGRAM
The OTA program admits one class per year beginning each fall semester (mid-August). The
deadline to apply is
June 1
of the year you wish to enter the professional phase. The professional
phase is completed over four 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 3.0 or higher,
or
a 3.0 cumulative
GPA (or the last 40 credit hours completed).
3.
Must complete a minimum of 40 observation 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 three months of June 1 deadline.
8.
Submit an unofficial copy of the Test of Academic Skills (TEAS) score report.
9.
Submit an unofficial copy of transcripts for all colleges or universities attended.
10.
Provide proof of health insurance.
The OTA Selection Committee reviews and scores each application based on the following criteria:
grade point averages (cumulative GPA for the last 40 credit hours and GPA for all OTA program
prerequisite coursework), the total number of hours observed in two or more occupational therapy
settings, the quality of the hand written essay, TEAS score report results, the quality of the received
recommendations, and the completion status of prerequisite coursework.
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