ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
The Priority Deadline for Occupational Therapy Assistant is March 1st. All application steps listed below must be completed prior to March 1st. Candidates who apply after the priority deadline will only be evaluated if there are remaining slots available on a rolling admissions basis.
- Follow the steps to Apply & Enroll
- Meet the Testing Requirements and complete all required transition/support courses.
- Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 on the most recent academic transcript for the last 10 hours of college credit. If you do not have college credits, your cumulative grade point average will be taken from your high school transcript.
- As a SELECTIVE ADMISSIONS program, there is only one entry point into the program annually. The TEAS test is required for Occupational Therapy Assistant applicants. Applications will be ranked using the Health Sciences Admissions Rubric.
- Complete ACA 111 (or equivalent course) with a grade of "C" or better by the end of the summer term prior to entering the program. Applicants who have completed at least 12 credit hours of college-level work at a regionally accredited institution will receive an ACA waiver.
Those inviduals who are notified of provisional acceptance to the program must attend a mandatory orientation session and have SCC health forms completed by the appropriate medical personnel indicating the candidate is mentally and physically capable of performing the essential functions required by this profession.
Once accepted into the program, students will be required to complete an onboarding process, which will include a criminal background check and drug testing prior to participation in the clinical component. If any clinical facility refuses to allow the student to participate in clinical experiences, for any reason, the student will not be able to progress in the program. Each student completing a health science program may be required, by an external agency, to submit a criminal background check and/or drug test prior to a state or national licensing/certification board approving the graduate to sit for exams.
Due to the rigorous nature of the curriculum, where possible, students are encouraged to have successfully completed general education courses prior to enrolling in program specific courses: ACA 111, BIO 168, BIO 169, ENG 111, ENG 114, HUM 115, PSY 150, PSY 241 and PSY 281 with a "C" or better. See your advisor for acceptable general education substitutes.
Professional Licensure
Graduates of the program will be eligible 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). Most states require licensure to practice and students must apply for licensure following passage of the NBCOT certification examination. Please note that a felony conviction may affect a student’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Accreditation Information
The OTA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). Graduates of the OTA program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant, which is administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the NBCOT certification exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice. Licensure generally requires initial certification by the NBCOT. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification and obtain state licensure. Any student who has concerns about their ability to sit for the NBCOT exam may complete the process for an Early Determination Review with NBCOT.
ACOTE
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
301.652.6611 ext. 2914 | www.acoteonline.org
