Occupational Therapy Assistant
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.
In its simplest terms, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. (AOTA 2012)
Portions of this program are offered in a virtual format.
Students must complete all Level II fieldwork within 18 months following the completion of the didactic portion of the program.
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1-855-Go-To-STCGeneral admission to the College does not imply admission to all programs of the College. The Nursing and Allied Health Division offers Selective Programs with application requirements. Application requirements are included in the description of each program. In addition, some Selective Programs have a Competitive Entry selection process based on a competitive point system.
Program Advising
Please email Maria Ponce-Vargas for advising appointments.
OTA Program Application
Application Deadline is May 29, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Information Sessions
Students interested in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program are required to attend an OTA Program information session. We will discuss program requirements, application process, and point system evaluation.
Day/Time: Tuesdays at 3 p. m.
Location: Teams Meeting (Virtual)
To receive an invite to one of the OTA Program Information Sessions, please email:
Maria Ponce-Vargas, Guided Pathways Specialist at
marip@southtexascollege.edu.
Please provide the following information in the email:
- Name
- Student ID #
- Preferred Email
- Phone #
For additional information contact:
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Department
Maria Ponce-Vargas, Guided Pathways Specialist
marip@southtexascollege.edu
Accreditation
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association. (AOTA). The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program was granted re-accreditation for a period of ten (10) years on April 2024.
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-652-AOTA
wwww.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). 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 by the state after the successful completion of the NBCOT certification examination.
The next on-site evaluation will be scheduled during the 2033/2034 academic years. A felony conviction may affect a graduates' ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification exam or to obtain state licensure to practice as a COTA. Applicants are required to clear a criminal background check prior to being accepted into the OTA Program.
OTA Student Outcomes
Students graduating in May of the following period: 3-year time period being reported 2022, 2023 and 2024.
| Graduation Year | Students Admitted to OTA Program | Students Graduated with AAS in OTA | Graduation Rate | NBCOT Test Takers | NBCOT Test Takers Passing | NBCOT Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | 12 | 70.59% | 15 | 15 | 100% |
| 2023 | 16 | 9 | 56.25% | 10 | 10 | 100% |
| 2022 | 24 | 16 | 67% | 11 | 11 | 100% |
| Total | 57 | 37 | 64.91% | 36 | 36 | 100% |
Average length of time those graduates took to complete the program: 2 years.
Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online on the NBCOT website ( https://www.nbcot.org/EDUCATORS-FOLDER/SCHOOLPERFORMANCE)
Work Environment
Occupational Therapy Assistants typically are employed in clinical or community settings working in out-patient clinics, in-patient rehabilitation centers, public schools, and/or patients' homes. Supervision by an Occupational Therapist is required for practice in Texas.
Potential Job Titles
- Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
Salary Data
National Mean Average Wage: $32.78/hour
National Mean Annual Salary: $67,010/year
Texas Hourly Mean Wage: $35.43/hour
Texas Annual Mean Salary: $73,690
Bureau of Labor and Statistics May 2023
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes312011.htm#nat
Apply Prerequisites Program Tuition and Fees Links
Exam / Application Requirements
Applicants to the Program must complete and submit an application for program selection by Thursday, May 29, 2025, if they meet the requirements outlined in the College catalog.
Graduates of the Program are required to pass the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy before they can request a license to practice in the state of Texas
All applicants must:
Prerequisites:
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| **** | Humanities Elective* *the only Humanities Electives accepted are: Phil 1301, PHIL 2303, PHIL 2306 and HUMA 1301 |
| PSYC 2314 | Lifespan Growth and Development |
| BIOL 2401 | Anatomy & Physiology I |
| SPCH 1318 | Interpersonal Communications |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition |
| OTHA 1305 | Principles of Occupational Therapy Requires OTA Program approval to register for this course. |
To register for OTHA 1305, please contact the OTA Program at 956-872-3161 or email marip@southtexascollege.edu. This course is offered in a hybrid format.
| In District Costs | Prerequisites | Fall Year 1 | Spring Year 1 | Summer Year 1 | Fall Year 2 | Spring Year 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $3,341.00 | $2,629.00 | $2,390.00 | $478.00 | $2,151.00 | $2,151.00 | $13,140.00 |
| Insurance | $0.00 | $72.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $72.00 | $0.00 | $144.00 |
| Books and Supplies | $770.00 | $603.00 | $75.00 | $92.00 | $260.00 | $80.00 | $1,880.00 |
| Complio | $0.00 | $88.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $88.00 | $0.00 | $176.00 |
| Uniforms | $0.00 | $160.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $195.00 | $0.00 | $355.00 |
| Cadeceus Publishing Preparation Course | $99.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $99.00 |
| Test Preparation Workshop | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $140.00 | $140.00 |
| $4,210.00 | $3,552.00 | $2,465.00 | $570.00 | $2,766.00 | $2,371.00 | $15,934.00 |
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program costs reflect the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change.
For details on tuition and fees, the cost of attendance or ways to pay for college, please see the following:
Tuition and Fees | Cost of Attendance | Paying for College
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For faculty not listed, please contact the department.
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Contact Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Department Chair
Darnell Miller
NAHC 320
956-872-3035
Program Advising
Maria Ponce-Vargas
Guided Pathways Specialist
956-872-3216
NAH-A 100D
