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Cabarrus College of Health Sciences offers a two year associate degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Occupational Therapy Assistant’s help adapt work and physical environments to promote independence;
analyze and train in daily living and homemaking skills; fabricate and apply splints and orthotic devices; and use
activities, therapeutic exercise, and crafts to promote independence and wellness.
OTA’s have many work environment opportunities that include acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers,
long term care facilities, out patient clinics, school districts, industry, well baby clinics and day care centers.
Occupational therapy assistants work with people of all ages who, because of illness, injury, and developmental or
psychological impairment, need specialized assistance in learning skills to enable them to lead independent,
productive and satisfying lives. Services that a COTA may provide include: analysis and training in activities of daily
living skills (ADL’s) and homemaking tasks, fabrication and application of splints and other orthotic devices,
use of therapeutic crafts, activities, exercises, and physical agent modalities combined with meaningful occupation,
training for productive work, adaptation of physical environments and architectural barriers for the physically
challenged, and application of group processes.
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences offers a state of the art student learning centered environment that is focused on
student success in the health sciences. The average class size is 20 students allowing for one-on-one interaction with
instructors in the classroom and in hands-on skills lab instruction. |
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MISSION STATEMENT
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program strives to graduate students who are competent,
caring, and ethical professionals by providing support and educational excellence. |
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PHILOSOPHY
The educational philosophy of the Cabarrus College OTA program is that human beings learn through
active interaction with the environment. This philosophy aligns with the AOTA Philosophy of
Professional Education, which states, "Occupational therapy educators use active learning that engages
the learner in a collaborative process that builds on prior knowledge and experience and integrates
professional academic knowledge, experiential learning, clinical reasoning, and self-reflection". Visit
the American Occupational Therapy Association web site
for additional information. |
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PROGRAM GOALS
The program goals of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Cabarrus College of Health
Sciences are that graduates will:
- Demonstrate skills sets and competencies required of a generalist in an entry level occupational
therapy assistant position.
- Use critical thinking skills integrating evidence based research and knowledge from the
sciences, arts and the occupational therapy practice framework into holistic and client centered
occupational therapy assistant practice.
- Document and report appropriate information for multiple clients in an organized and concise
manner.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and legal
responsibilities appropriate for safe entry level occupational therapy assistant practice.
- Identify and articulate the role of the occupational therapy assistant and occupational therapist
in the screening and evaluation process and in the delivery of service.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to incorporate available technology and resources to
support maximal client outcomes.
- Create a personal professional development plan for lifelong learning to maintain licensure,
board certification and ongoing competence.
- Meet appropriate criteria to sit for certification and to obtain licensure for occupational therapy
assistants.
- Secure employment in an entry level occupational therapy assistant position.
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CURRICULUM DESIGN
The content and scope of the OTA program curriculum design is multidimensional including: the
Accreditation Standards for an Occupational Therapy Assistant as outlined by the Accreditation Council
for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) 2006, the mission, goals and vision of the Cabarrus
College of Health Sciences, the Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Assistant
Strategic Plan, the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Practice Act Article 18D, the North Carolina
Rules and Regulations and the current Occupational Therapy Practice Framework Domain and Process.
The common threads of the College's and OTA program's mission, philosophy, program and learning outcomes
have resulted in an eclectic base for the design of the curriculum, its rationale, sequencing of courses and
progression. The conceptual framework for the organization and progression of the curriculum consists of the
following themes:
- The OT Practice Framework Domain and Process
- Holistic, Client Centered, Occupational and Evidence Based Interventions
- Professional Behaviors for Occupational Therapy Practice
- OTR and COTA role delineation
- Clinical Reasoning and Problem Solving
- Documentation and Quality Assurance
- Active and Life-long Learning Processes
The concepts listed above are interwoven throughout the design of the curriculum in a progressive
nature through which students gain new knowledge, skills and attitudes that promote and encourage
new behaviors and develop clinical reasoning skills. |
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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT CURRICULUM PLAN
| Fall Semester |
| Course # |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
| OTA 101** |
Introduction to OT (Level I #1) Fieldwork |
3 |
| OTA 102** |
Activity Analysis/Application to Occupation |
3 |
| BIO 210* |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
4 |
| CAS 190 |
Computer Technology Applications |
3 |
| ENG 101 |
English Composition I |
3 |
| BIO 100* |
Medical Terminology |
1 |
| Total |
17 |
| Spring Semester |
| Course # |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
| OTA 112** |
Fundamentals of Occupations & Splinting |
3 |
| OTA 114** |
Physical Rehabilitation (Level I #2 Fieldwork) |
7 |
| BIO 220* |
Human Anatomy & Physiology II |
4 |
| PSY 150 |
Human Growth &Development |
3 |
| Total |
17 |
| Summer Session |
| Course # |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
| OTA 116** |
Kinesiology |
3 |
| PSY 101* |
General Psychology |
3 |
| Total |
6 |
| Fall Semester |
| Course # |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
| OTA 201** |
Therapeutic Group Applications |
3 |
| OTA 202** |
Mental Health Concepts/Techniques for the OTA
(Level I #3 Fieldwork) |
3 |
| OTA 203** |
Assessment and Treatment Planning |
2 |
| HUM 200 |
Leadership Development Studies |
3 |
| PSY 210* |
Abnormal Psychology |
3 |
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Elective |
3 |
| Total |
17 |
| Spring Semester |
| Course # |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
| OTA 206** |
Level II Fieldwork #1 |
6 |
| OTA 208** |
Level II Fieldwork #2 |
6 |
| Total |
12 |
A minimum of 69 semester hours are required to earn an Associate of Science Degree in the
Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
All students must complete Level II fieldwork within one year of the required academic coursework.
* Program requirements ** Major Requirements
Certification Eligibility: Graduates 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 all program requirements. After successful
completion of this examination the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
(COTA). Most states require licensure in order to practice and require successful completion of the
NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduates ability to sit for the
NBCOT certification examination or to attain state licensure. |
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ADMISSION
For admission into the Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate of Science Degree program,
applicants must meet the general college admission requirements and must submit:
- an official transcript showing evidence of high school or college level Algebra I, Algebra II,
either geometry or a math with Algebra II as a prerequisite, chemistry and biology with a
preferred minimum grade of "C"
- minimum suggested standardized test scores:
- SAT scores of 480 - critical reading and 440 - math OR
- ACT composite score of 19 OR
- ASSET (42 in the Writing section, 42 in the Reading section and 36 in the Numerical section)
- evidence of high school class rank (should rank in upper half of class)
- two references that speak to academic abilities and/or work ethic. If applicant has previously
been enrolled in another occupational therapy assistant program within the last five years, then
one reference MUST be from a program official at the institution attended.
- evidence of a minimum of 25 hours of observation are required in three different occupational therapy settings.
Accreditation Note: The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by The
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), located at The American Occupational Therapy
Association, 4720 Montgomery Lane, PO Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220, Phone (301) 652-AOTA (2682).
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