Please note that the pre-requisite courses on the OTA degree plan have changed effective the Fall 2006 semester.  All students applying for admission must have the new prerequisite courses completed by May 2006.

OTA STUDENT OUTCOMES
Students graduating in August of the following years:

 • 3-year time period being reported -- 2003, 2004, 2005

  • total number of program graduates during that period -- 40

  • average length of time those graduates took to complete the program -- 24 MONTHS

 • total number of first-time test takers of the national certification examination during that period --40

 • total number of first-time test takers who passed the exam during that period --36

 • percentage of the total number of first-time test takers who passed the exam during that period. -- 90% (the average total pass rate of  US graduates taking the national certification exam for the first time over the most recent 3 years is 70%)

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program was granted accreditation for a period of ten (10) years on June 2004.  The OTA Program is accredited by the:

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
American Occupational Therapy Association
4720 Montgomery Lane
P.O. Box 31220
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220
301-652-2682

The next on-site evaluation will be scheduled during the 2013/2014 academic years.

Occupational Therapy Assistant,
Associate of Applied Science

This two-year program prepares individuals for careers as Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA). In Texas, the COTA must obtain state licensure to practice under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist (OTR). The mandate of the profession is to assist patients to develop life skills by providing services with the ultimate goal of increasing their independence in daily functioning. The recipients of therapy are those who have encountered problems that interfere with their ability to function in any stage of their development. The scope of services includes physical, cognitive, and psychological and psychosocial disorders.

Employment Opportunities

Employment of occupational therapy assistants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2008.  Growth will result from an aging population, including the bay-boom cohort, which will probably need substantial occupational therapy services.  Demand will also result from advances in medicine that allow more people with critical problems to survive and then need rehabilitative therapy.

Earnings

In Texas, OTA was listed as one of the top 1 to 25 occupations requiring post-secondary or an associates degree.  Projected to grow the fastest during the 2002-2012 time period.

Program Costs

The estimated program cost is $6,255 for tuition and fees*, textbooks, professional liability insurance, and required supplies. 

Financial Assistance

Financial aid is available for those who qualify.  For more information contact the Office of Financial Aid at (956) 872-3019.

Accreditation

The Occupational Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. AOTA’s phone number is (301) 652-AOTA. 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). Texas also requires licensure in order to practice.  Regular licenses are issued after the successful completion in the state NBCOT cerfication examination.

Program Admission Requirements

All OTA program applicants must meet the general admission requirements of the College.  In addition to those requirements, the OTA Program requires the following from the applicants:

1. Meet the score requirement on the THEA test (all three sections) for entrance into college level courses. THEA exemptions are granted only for those students with a Bachelor's degree or higher;
2. A minimum GPA of 2.5 for all college courses completed;
3. Documentation of a minimum of forty (40) hours of volunteer or work experience under the direction of an OTR;
4. Completion of prerequisite courses as listed in the degree plan;
5. Satisfy program specific requirements for clinical practice;
6. Completion of a specific program application before the deadline date (3rd Friday in May);
8. Individual student advisement with OTA faculty.

Graduation Requirements

To earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, a student must meet college graduation requirements and complete all coursework as prescribed in the degree plan with a minimum grade of “C.”