Description
Occupational therapy is the art and science of helping people gain skills needed to become independent in daily living activities. Students learn the therapeutic use of occupations which include self-care, work and play/leisure activities in order to maximize independent function, enhance development, prevent disability and maintain health. Intervention strategies may include adaptations to a task or environment or compensatory approaches in order to facilitate clients’ achievement of maximum independence.
Objectives
The following objectives are designed to meet Southeastern College’s mission and its goals. Graduates of the program are prepared as entry-level occupational therapy assistants by:
- Demonstrating professional behaviors reflective of an ethical, competent therapist, inclusive of critical thinking, communication skills and commitment to lifelong learning required of healthcare professionals.
- Practicing emergent clinical skills in treatment techniques, methodology and rationale for implementation, including clinical documentation and reasoning skills as an entry-level professional.
Demonstrating an academic foundation that clearly evidences occupational therapy’s unique focus on daily living activities and interventions that promote clients’ participation within a social/cultural context.
Admission Requirements
- Have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
- Pass the entrance examination
- Background check and drug screening where applicable
- Completion of general education courses with a minimum grade of “C” for each course
- Cumulative grade average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate in Applied Science Degree
Course Outline
To receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant, students must earn a total of 56.0 credit hours in their major and 26.0 hours in the General Education courses for a total of 82.0 credit hours. This degree program can be completed in 24 months.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Graduates
Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the national certification examination for occupational therapy assistants administered by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy Inc. (NBCOT). Successful completion of this exam entitles the individual to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist. Most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
A direct link to information regarding the OTA program’s pass rates for graduates attempting the national certification examination is made available by NBCOT at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance
Accreditation
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 www.acoteonline.org.
For information on student debt levels, and other disclosures, visit https://www.sec.edu/about/consumer-information/