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 able to sit 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 sit 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 sit for the NBCOT certification 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.

Application Requirements

All applicants must:

Participate in the required Prospective Student Information session. For the session schedule, access the information online at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/ota/ or contact the Occupational Therapy Program at 956-872-3161 or 956-872-3035.
Be admitted to the college as a high school graduate or GED equivalent
Meet TSI College Readiness Standards, or meet TSI exemption standards.
Complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum of "B" as listed in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Degree plan. BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I must be completed within the past five years and OTHA 1305 Principles of Occupational Therapy must be completed within the past two years. OTHA 1305 Principles of Occupational Therapy is offered in a Hybrid course format.
Complete the HESI A2 (Admissions Assessment) Exam as follows: Achieve an English Language Composite Score of 75% or higher, a Science (Anatomy & Physiology) Score of 75% or higher, a Math Score of 75% or higher, and a Composite Score of 75% or higher. Scores must be current within the last 2 years. HESI A2 Exemptions are not permitted.
Earn a minimum grade of “B” in “Principles of Occupational Therapy” course within the last two years.
Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all courses, including transfer courses, and those completed at STC.
Pass a criminal background check, 10-panel drug screen through approved providers, and complete all required immunizations including Hepatitis B series. Students with criminal histories must provide proof of licensure eligibility from the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners (ECPTOTE). This process may take up to 6 months to complete. For more information contact the NAH Clinical Affairs Specialist at 956-872-3022.
Submit Documentation of Experience Forms as evidence of a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours of volunteer or work experience under the supervision of a COTA or OTR in two different settings, for a total of fifty (50) hours. One experience should be completed in an inpatient setting (hospital or nursing facility), and the other should be completed in a different type of setting such as an outpatient clinic or pediatric center. Home Health hours are not accepted. Therapists who supervise volunteer experiences cannot be a relative or personal friend of the student applicant.
Meet Technical Standards as stated by the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.
Submit a completed Program application by stated deadline. For more information contact Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at 956-872-3161 or 956-872-3035 or access the information online at https://nah.southtexascollege.edu/ota/.

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, interview scores 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, placed on an alternate list, 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

previous alternate status
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.

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

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