Occupational Therapy Assistant

This Selective Program has a competitive entry selection process based on a competitive point system. Application requirements are included in the description below.

Associate of Applied Science

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’S telephone number, C/O AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is acoteonline.org.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to register for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to register for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. In Texas, the COTA must obtain state licensure to practice under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist (OTR). This two-year program prepares individuals for careers as Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA). This program has a Competitive Entry selection process based on a competitive point system.

The mandate of the profession is to assist patients to develop life skills by providing services with the ultimate goal of increasing their performance and participation in desired daily occupations. The recipients of therapy are those who have encountered problems that interfere with their ability to function in any stage of their development. The scope of services includes physical, cognitive, and psychological and psychosocial disorders.

Occupational Therapy Assistants typically are employed in clinical or community settings working in out-patient clinics, in-patient rehabilitation centers, public schools and/or patients' homes. Supervision by an Occupational Therapist is required for practice in Texas.

A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to register for the NBCOT certification examination or to attain state licensure.

The Fieldwork Level II capstone courses listed in the fifth semester must be completed within eighteen (18) months after the end of the academic/technical courses to be eligible for graduation.

Application Requirements

All applicants must:

Competitive Entry Selection Process

The OTA Program selection process is based on a Point System evaluation. Points are awarded for the following selection criteria: GPA of OTA Program prerequisite and general education courses, HESI A2 (Admissions Assessment) Exam scores, volunteer/experience forms, and other optional items listed on the Application Form (for example, completion of CSFH 0101 College Success for Healthcare course with a B or better, etc.). Qualified applicants are numerically ranked based on the number of acceptance points earned, and are either accepted or not accepted. Due to program size limitations, a number of applicants who meet the additional program application requirements may not be admitted to the program. The typical number of new positions available on an annual basis is 20; the final number is dependent upon available resources. Should any of the accepted applicants decline admission, an alternate may be offered acceptance to the program. In the case of tied applicants, finalists will be chosen based on

1. date of application

A new applicant pool is established for each admission period. Applicants who are not admitted for the current application period must re-apply to be considered for a later application period.

Program Application

OTA Program applications are available annually from the OTA Program Department. The deadline for submission is the fourth Friday in May of the current year. Selection of students is made one time a year during the summer. Newly selected students attend program orientation in the summer and begin program classes in the fall semester. A segment of the OTA Program course curriculum is provided in a virtual classroom format for students who are interested in and enrolled in the OTA program.

NOTE: Please see program web page for up-to-date program information, admissions requirements,, selection process, curriculum changes, and application process at https://www.southtexascollege.edu/ota/.

Graduation Requirements

To earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree from the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, a student must meet college graduation requirements and complete all coursework as prescribed in the degree plan with a minimum grade of "C."

Licensure of Persons with Criminal Convictions

According to the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners OT Rule 374.5 the Board may revoke or suspend an existing valid license or disqualify a person from receiving or renewing a license because of a person's conviction of a felony or misdemeanor if the crime directly relates to the practice of occupational therapy.

Additional information regarding rules governing licensure may be found in the complete Occupational Therapy Rules located on the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners website: https://www.ptot.texas.gov/.

*STC Board Policy (#3337) applies to all students participating in a Nursing or Allied Health Program clinical course. This policy requires all students to pass a criminal background check and drug screening prior to enrolling in a clinical course. This policy is being implemented to ensure uniform compliance with healthcare agencies and state licensing regulations. Students having questions about this rule should see the Clinical Affairs Specialists, the OTA Program Chair or the Dean of the Nursing and Allied Health Division. All consultations are confidential.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to describe the various roles of occupational therapy as it relates to clients, families, and service providers.
2. Students will be able to explain and differentiate the distinct roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant in the supervisory process.
3. Students will be able to effectively apply occupational therapy principles and intervention strategies in a clinical setting.
4. Students will be able to formulate an effective Professional Development Plan to facilitate ongoing learning.
5. Students will successfully pass the program Exit Exam by the end of the semester.
6. Students will be able to articulate the particular occupational therapy frame of reference and/or model of practice employed at their assigned fieldwork location.

Advisory Committee Members

Rosie Vallejo, OTR, McAllen
Adina Santillan, COTA, San Juan
Iris Dovalina, COTA, Mission
Luis Martinez, OTR, Palmhurst
Amanda Delgado, COTA McAllen
Jenny Adame, COTA Rio Grande City
Jesse Rodriguez, OTR McAllen

Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Applied Science

Students interested in this program must complete the pre-requisite courses prior to applying for admission. Any of the other general education courses may also be taken before applying for admission into the program. Grades made in these courses will be computed using a “point system” for the student selection process.

TSI Liable

Plan of Study Grid

Pre-requisites		Credit Hours
Humanities Elective 1		3
Select one of the following:
HUMA 1301	Introduction to Humanities I - Western
PHIL 1301	Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 2303	Introduction to Logic
PHIL 2306	Introduction to Ethics
PSYC 2314	Lifespan Growth and Development 1	3
BIOL 2401	Anatomy and Physiology I 1	4
SPCH 1318	Interpersonal Communications 1	3
ENGL 1301	Composition I 1	3
OTHA 1305	Principles of Occupational Therapy	3
	Credit Hours	19
First Year
Fall
OTHA 1409	Human Structure and Function in Occupational Therapy	4
OTHA 1415	Therapeutic Use of Occupations or Activities I	4
OTHA 1341	Occupational Performance from Birth to Adolescence	3
	Credit Hours	11
Spring
OTHA 1349	Occupational Performance of Adulthood	3
OTHA 1419	Therapeutic Interventions I	4
OTHA 2335	Health Care Management in Occupational Therapy	3
	Credit Hours	10
Summer
OTHA 2201	Pathophysiology in Occupational Therapy	2
	Credit Hours	2
Second Year
Fall
OTHA 1253	Occupational Performance for Elders	2
OTHA 2405	Therapeutic Interventions II	4
OTHA 2160	Clinical -Occupational Therapy Assistant	1
OTHA 2209	Mental Health In Occupational Therapy	2
	Credit Hours	9
Spring
OTHA 2366	CAPSTONE: Practicum-OTA (A)	3
OTHA 2367	CAPSTONE: Practicum-OTA (B)	3
OTHA 2330	Workplace Skills for the OTA	3
	Credit Hours	9
	Total Credit Hours	60

¹

Identifies courses to fulfill minimum 15 credit hour General Education requirement

 Students must complete all CAPSTONE coursework with a passing grade to be eligible for graduation from the OTA program.