Occupational Therapy Assistant-AAS Degree Plan

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PROGRAM INFORMATION: The two-year 60 hour curriculum in occupational therapy leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS OTA). The program helps prepare the graduate to take the national certification examination provided by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Graduates must also meet licensure requirements as mandated by the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (TBOTE) or the state in which licensure is sought. The occupational therapy assistant curriculum includes a combination on-campus coursework, online coursework, and clinical experiences in traditional and non-traditional occupational therapy settings. The curriculum is designed to meet the standards of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD, 20852-4929. The phone number for ACOTE is (301) 652-AOTA. The website for ACOTE is www.acoteonline.org. The Navarro College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program has been granted Accreditation by ACOTE.

ACCEPTANCE TO NAVARRO COLLEGE DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION TO THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT PROGRAM. Applicants must first meet all admission criteria for Navarro College. Once enrolled in Navarro College, the student may submit an application to the OTA Program. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the information sessions which are conducted at various times throughout the year. Applications to the program may be obtained by attending an information session, in-person through the Health Professions Department, or by electronic download from the program webpage. Positions in the program are limited. Admission decisions will be made through a points system. Priority status is determined from the following data: Grades in prerequisite courses on the OTA degree plan, previous health work experience, completion of prior degree or health certification, and submission of required essay. The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is only available on the Corsicana and Midlothian campuses.

Additional Program Requirements:

• All required coursework must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
• Students will provide proof of required or state-mandated health screenings, immunizations, and CPR training. Clinical and practicum training will require drug screenings.
• Clinical and practicum training in practice settings may require extended travel (early mornings, evenings, weekends) within 60 miles of the student’s home.
• Entry into Level II Fieldwork (practicum) must occur within six months of completing academic studies. Completion of Level II fieldwork (practicum) of 16 weeks must occur within 16 months of completion of academic studies.
• The program must be completed with four (4) years of registration of the first OTHA course.
• Interruption in sequence of studies may require additional coursework to help ensure clinical readiness.

PLEASE NOTE: A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination and/or attain state licensure.

 

PREREQUISITES

 

FRESHMAN YEAR - Summer

 

FRESHMAN YEAR - Fall

FRESHMAN YEAR - Spring

 

SOPHOMORE YEAR - Fall

SOPHOMORE YEAR - Spring