Occupational therapy assistant (OTA)

The occupational therapy assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814 phone number 1-800-729-2682, www.acoteonline.org. 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). Information on the examination performance of Stark State graduates, as well as those from all other accredited programs, can be located at https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.

COMMONLY ACCEPTED ACADEMIC STANDARDS: Program length must be reflective of commonly accepted standards for degree level as informed by the National Center for Education Standards (https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/glossary#m). Specific to occupational therapy entry level education for the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant, ACOTE defines the following:

• Associate’s degree: An entry-level occupational therapy assistant degree granted for the successful completion of an associate’s program of study, usually requiring at least 2 years (or equivalent) of full-time college-level study.

Your first step starts with applying to Stark State College. Then, follow the steps outlined in the program checklist and application.

Graduation rate data are based on the Accreditation Commission for Occupational Therapy Education calculations during recent Annual Accreditation reports. Calculations do not reflect students that started in the cohort but later left the program for reasons other than grades or clinical deficiencies.

Students who withdrew, or did not graduate with the entering cohort, for reasons other than academic performance

For additional information regarding NBCOT Certification Results please go to https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance

OTA students must be capable of following minimum skills and abilities for successful completion of the program: OTA Expectations

• Estimated costs for the OTA program

Students are admitted once per year, during the fall semester.

Yes. Enrollment is limited. Therefore, acceptance by SSC does not automatically mean acceptance into the OTA Program. Candidates must become eligible by meeting specific requirements and must apply to the program. Formal notification of acceptance into the program is required.

Expenses include, but may not be limited to: tuition, college fees, textbooks, electronic documentation subscription, AOTA prep exam study tool, and supplies, liability insurance, health insurance, physical examination and immunization costs, background checks, uniforms, and transportation to and from off-campus clinical experiences. In addition, certification examination and state license application related fees should be expected.

Yes. Several arts and sciences courses included in the curriculum are TAG (Transfer Assurance Guide) approved, and are therefore transferable throughout the University System of Ohio. Technical courses must be evaluated by the institution where a student wishes to transfer. We do have articulation agreements with the University of Cincinnati and Indiana Wesleyan University that allows the graduates’ OTA degree to go towards a bachelor’s degree at these institutions.

Yes. Given the nature of the work, individuals considering the field of occupational therapy should have good strength, endurance, mobility, dexterity, and sensory perception. The work can be physically taxing since assistants help patients perform tasks and exercises throughout the day. This may involve lifting and supporting patient weight, bending, stooping, and pushing wheelchairs or equipment.

Yes, with limits encouraged. It is recommended that part-time employment be limited for the first four of five semesters. However, the actual number will vary depending on individual student circumstances. Students are strongly encouraged NOT to work during the 5th semester, due to the clinical and course requirements.

Once students begin the technical portion of the program, five semesters are required to reach completion. Most students take some or all of the required non-technical courses before starting the OTA sequence.

SSC’s program may or may not be able to accept in-progress OTA students, depending on space availability and the curriculum match between the two colleges.

Visit AOTA.org, OOTA.org, NBCOT.org, or OTPTAT.ohio.gov to learn much more about the occupational therapy professions. You may also visit the Career Development Office in Room M104