Catalog 2010-2011 - South Texas College

Occupational TherapyAssistantOccupational Therapy AssistantAssociate of Applied ScienceThe Occupational Assistant Program is accredited bythe Accreditation Council for Occupational TherapyEducation (ACOTE) of the American OccupationalTherapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD20824-1220. AOTA’s phone number is (301) 652-AOTA.Graduates of the program will be able to sit for thenational certification examination for the occupationaltherapy assistant administered by the National Boardfor Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Aftersuccessful completion of this exam, the individual willbe a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).Texas requires licensure in order to practice.This two-year program prepares individualsfor careers as Certified Occupational TherapyAssistants (COTA). In Texas, the COTA must obtainstate licensure to practice under the supervision ofa registered Occupational Therapist (OTR).G. Participate in student advisement sessions withOTA faculty/staffH. Submit a completed program application by thedeadline date.Selection CriteriaThe OTA Program selection criteria are basedupon a point system. Qualified applications areranked in descending order until maximum classsize is reached. If not admitted, a new applicationis required for the next admission cycle.Program ApplicationApplications are available annually from thedivision office, program faculty or programsecretary. A class is selected and accepted everyfall semester.NOTE: Please see program WEB page for up-to-dateprogram information, admission requirements, curriculumchanges, selection process, and application revisions athttp://www.southtexascollege.edu.The mandate of the profession is to assist patientsto develop life skills by providing services with theultimate goal of increasing their independencein daily functioning. The recipients of therapyare those who have encountered problems thatinterfere with their ability to function in any stageof their development. The scope of servicesincludes physical, cognitive, and psychological andpsychosocial disorders. Students seeking entryto the OTA Program must complete a programspecific application.A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s abilityto sit for the NBCOT certification or to attain statelicensure. The Fieldwork Level II capstone courseslisted in the sixth semester must be completedwithin eighteen (18) months after the end of theacademic/technical courses.Graduation RequirementsTo earn an Associate of Applied Science Degreein the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, astudent must meet college graduation requirementsand complete all coursework as prescribed in thedegree plan with a minimum grade of “C.”ADVISORY COMMITTEEArturo Cruz, OTR, Edinburg; Velma Esparza, OTR, McAllen;Ruth Garza, COTA, Harlingen; Seleste Salamanca, OTR,Mission; Jennifer Ybarra, OTR, Edinburg; Ana Betancourt,OTR, Edinburg; Adina Santillan, COTA, San Juan; JesseRodriguez, COTA, McAllenProgram Admission RequirementsA. All applicants must meet the general admissionrequirements to South Texas College.B. Must demonstrate proficiency in state-mandatedgeneral knowledge content by the requiredTHEA minimum scores:No exemptions will be considered.C. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 ona 4.0 scale on all coursework taken prior to theapplication.D. Complete all pre-requisite coursework with aminimum grade of “C” as listed in the OTAdegree plan; OTHA 1405 must be completedwith a final grade of “B” or betterE. Satisfy OTA Program requirements for clinicalpracticeF. Present documentation of volunteer experienceof a minimum of 25 hours each at Pediatricand Adult client settingsNursing and Allied Health213