Occupational Therapy Assistant, Career Associate of Science

The OTA program is made up of 2 phases: (1) the pre-professional phase and (2) the professional phase. The pre-professional phase is considered the time required to complete all general education coursework and application requirements for the OTA program. After the student has applied and been selected for admission into the program, the student will enter the professional phase.

The OTA Program admits one class of 20 students per year that begins each Fall semester (mid-August). The deadline to apply is June 1st 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, Fall).

The deadline for applying (June 1st) 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. However, the student will not be scored as high as the student that completes the general education coursework prior to the June 1 deadline.

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, misdemeanor, 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 despite graduation from an accredited program.

***Please note the OTA program has a selective admissions process, therefore due to the competitive nature of the selection process, careful preparation for application is highly recommended.

OTA Program Advisory Committee

• Haley Alexander¹
• Maggie Brown
• Ashley Brinkley
• Tonya Anglon¹
• Ashley Maxwell¹
• Amber Robbins
• Stacey Sanders¹
• Phyllis Scott
• Kemesha Spears¹
• Timothy Ulm

¹

Denotes Faculty members 

Mission

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program supports the mission of Albany State University (ASU) and the Darton College of Health Professions in the goal of providing student-centered educational programs for the citizens of southwest Georgia and beyond. The OTA program also supports the Health Sciences Division in its goal of providing diverse program offerings with a comprehensive commitment to the health care learning needs of the area. The OTA program seeks to serve stakeholders in the Southwest Georgia region and beyond with a high standard of excellence in teaching and learning while promoting community and economic development and with a commitment to help each student realize their full potential for improved quality of life. The OTA program will provide high quality education to qualified students pursuing an entry-level career as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant by promoting a positive work ethic, a desire for leadership, professionalism in the classroom as well as the treatment settings, and a passion to provide the highest quality of patient care. 

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Albany State University 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

Degree

Upon successful completion of the program, students will earn an Associate of Science degree and will be academically eligible for licensure by examination.

Accreditation

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the:

The Program was placed on Probationary Accreditation effective August 5, 2023.

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA^®)

6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929

AOTA’s telephone number, C/O AOTA, is 301-652-AOTA and the web address is www.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 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 results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Individuals who have been convicted of a felony may not be eligible for licensure. If convicted of a felony, it is recommended that you contact the Occupational Therapy Board in the state where you plan to seek licensure to verify your eligibility for licensure. All students will be required to complete a national criminal background check prior to placement in clinical externships. Some clinical facilities may also require a drug screen prior to placement (students may be responsible for payment). The clinical affiliate determines whether a student can participate in the clinical rotation based upon the results of the background check and drug screen.

Additional OTA Program Requirements

1. The OTA program requires a full-time commitment from the student. Generally, classes will be scheduled Monday through Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm with some evening and/or weekend time commitments As Needed.
2. Since clinical education is a critical component of the program, all clinical practicums must be passed. Traveling out of town will be necessary. Students are responsible for their own transportation, food and lodging during the practicums unless other arrangements are made by the clinical site or student.
3. Students must provide evidence of the following prior to the first clinical practicum:
   1. Health insurance (available through ASU).
   2. Completed health form, including evidence of initiation of the Hepatitis B Vaccine series.
   3. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification – American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider course must be maintained throughout the program.
   4. Malpractice insurance (available through ASU).
   5. Signed letter of confidentiality and honor code.
4. The student is expected to assume responsibility for their own health in the event of illness, accident, or exposure to communicable disease.
5. A minimum grade of “C” is required in all OTA courses to advance in the program.
6. Fieldwork must be passed to graduate. In the event of unsatisfactory performance, a practicum may be repeated one time within 18 months of completion of didactic course work.
7. Once enrolled in the program, failure to satisfactorily complete the course work in the scheduled sequence will result in the student being withdrawn from the program. The student must re-apply, be re-accepted and repeat ALL determined course work.
8. Students must follow all policies and procedures relevant to Albany State University, the OTA Program, and the fieldwork sites.
9. Membership in state and national professional organizations is encouraged to enhance professional development.
10. All OTA students are required to purchase a name tag, uniforms as specified by clinical sites, stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, goniometer (large and hand) and a watch with a sweeping second hand.
11. In order to successfully complete the clinical fieldwork and work effectively as an OTA, students are required to possess the following functional abilities and critical skills:
    1. Able to stand, walk on all surfaces, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch and sit for long periods of time.
    2. Able to maintain good balance to assist with gait and transfer training.
    3. Able to transfer or maneuver (by self or with assistance) patients weighing up to 300 pounds.
    4. Able to lift, push, pull and carry objects weighing up to fifty pounds.
    5. Able to reach above and below the waist.
    6. Able to manually and visually operate and/or manipulate wheelchair, mobility aids, ambulation devices, instrumentation and equipment.
    7. Able to visually and cognitively assess changes in a patient’s condition.
    8. Able to question the patient and relay information about the patient verbally and in writing.
    9. Able to wear appropriate protective equipment and to tolerate unsightly, noxious environments.
    10. Able to manage physical, emotional and mental stress effectively.
    11. Able to tolerate other’s value systems, morals, cultures, sexual orientation and religious beliefs.
12. Re-Admission of Returning Students: Because of the sequential nature of the course offerings, students must complete all courses in a Semester before advancing in the program. If a student is experiencing a first time failure, the student may re-apply to the OTA program for admission in the next fall class. Students reapplying to the OTA program must maintain the same requirements expected of all applicants outlined in the OTA Application Packet. OTA courses more than two years old will have to be repeated. More than one “D” and/or “F” in the OTA curriculum will result in permanent dismissal from the program. (This may be two courses or failure of the same course twice.)
13. The OTA program reserves the right to discontinue, at any time, the enrollment of an OTA student if, in the judgment of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the OTA faculty and the Dean of the Health Sciences Division, the student does not appear to have the necessary qualifications for a career as an OTA.
14. Due to the fact that pre-requisites for the Occupational Therapy Masters programs are different, graduation from the OTA program will not necessarily prepare the student for entry into an Occupational Therapy professional education program. Students wishing to pursue a career an Occupational Therapist should enroll as a Health Sciences major.

 

Plan of Study Grid

Freshman Year
Fall		Semester Hours
Courses required for program admission
The following general education course requirements totaling 26 hours must be completed prior to program attendance
ENGL 1101	English Composition I	3
BIOL 2411K	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
PSYC 1101	General Psychology	3
MATH 1111	College Algebra	3
	Semester Hours	13
Spring
Courses required for program admission
BIOL 2412K	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
ARTS 1100	Art Appreciation 1	3
PSYC 2103	Human Growth & Development	3
POLS 1101	American Government	3
	Semester Hours	13
Sophomore Year
Fall
OTA Core Curriculum Courses
OTAS 1100	Introduction to Occupational Therapy	2
ALHE 1104	Intro to Disease Conditions	2
OTAS 1105	Patient Skills for the OTA	2
OTAS 1111	Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology	4
ALHE 1120	Medical Terminology	2
	Semester Hours	12
Spring
OTAS 1121	Therapeutic Media	2
OTAS 1131	Physical Function in Occupation I	4
OTAS 1140	Psychosocial Function in Occupation	3
OTAS 1145	Developmental Function in Occupation	3
	Semester Hours	12
Summer
OTAS 1132	Physical Function in Occupation II	4
OTAS 2200	Assistive Techniques and Technologies	3
OTAS 2260	Treatment Methods and Management for the OTA	4
	Semester Hours	11
Junior Year
Fall
OTAS 2410	Fieldwork Experience Level II A 2	5
OTAS 2412	Occupational Therapy Seminar	2
OTAS 2420	Fieldwork Experience Level II B 2	5
	Semester Hours	12
	Total Semester Hours	73

¹

Humanities requirement may be met by taking any literature or appreciation course in the Humanities Area of the Core IMPACTS.

²

** All OTA students must complete level II fieldwork within 18 months following the completion of academic preparation. 

** Fieldwork must be passed with a grade of “C” or better to graduate. In the event of unsatisfactory performance, a practicum may be repeated one time within 18 months of completion of didactic course work.

*** A mandatory NBCOT examination preparation course that is paid for by an assessed student fee will be held at the conclusion of the last semester of the OTA Program upon successful completion of the program and graduation with an Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant degree.

Depending on your enrollment status, you may be required to take ASU 1101, “First Year Experience”. 

Any OTA course presented for graduation that was completed three calendar years or more prior to the anticipated date of graduation must be successfully challenged or repeated for credit