Associate in Science Degree

(74 Credit Hours)

Program Director

Julie Bezold, OTD,OTR/L
941-752-5346
BezoldJ@SCF.edu

The program prepares graduates to become occupational therapy assistants. The occupational therapy assistant uses functional activities as treatment to assist individuals of all age groups to live as independently as possible. Graduates of the program are eligible for the national certification examination of the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Most states also require licensure in order to practice; state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 200, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852-4929. AOTA’s phone number is (301) 652-AOTA. For more information about program accreditation or ACOTE, go to www.acoteonline.org.

OTA Program Mission

The mission of the occupational therapy assistant program is to provide an engaging learning environment guided by measurable standards of institutional and professional excellence. The program is designed to meet the needs of the community by fostering the maturation of essential skills, knowledge, professional and ethical behaviors, and aptitudes to perform as entry-level certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs).

Program Goals

• Recruit and retain qualified students that are committed to becoming Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Provide effective didactic, collaborative, and experiential learning experiences that include opportunities for creative activity and critical thinking. This shall include teaching students to think holistically, following the Person, Environment, Occupation Model, and systematically using the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework as a guide.
• Prepare the graduates to be lifelong learners and evidence-based practitioners.
• Prepare the graduates to articulate and apply therapeutic use of occupations with persons, groups, or populations to improve participation in meaningful activities and occupations. The settings may include home, school, the workplace, community, or other practice settings as informed by the Occupational Therapy Framework. 
• Prepare students to be active in professional development, leadership and advocacy, while upholding ethical standards, values, and attitudes of the occupational therapy profession.
• Prepare students to successfully complete the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy examination to become Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants and qualify them for licensure. 
• Provide experiences that allow students to participate in professional activities through SCF SOTA, as well as the local, state, and national Occupational Therapy organizations.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Occupational Therapy Program at State College of Florida, the graduate will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the structures, functions, and systems of the human body in addition to signs of conditions commonly seen in occupational therapy practice and recognize the importance of safe practice procedures. (FDE 5, 6, 7, 10)
2. Demonstrate knowledge of global/social issues and prevailing health and welfare needs of populations with or at risk for disabilities and chronic health conditions. (FDE 1, 13)
3. Demonstrate familiarity with current technology available in the profession to support performance, participation, health, and well-being while making accurate, complete, and pertinent observations of client performance and communicate these observations clearly and correctly both verbally and in writing. (FDE 2, 12, 8)
4. Demonstrate knowledge of human growth and development, the impact of the environment, and the importance engagement in occupation has on human performance as well as the effects of disease and disability in the developmental process. (FDE 13, 14, 15)
5. Demonstrate the ability to provide optimal occupational therapy services for culturally diverse clients throughout the lifespan by incorporating therapeutic use of self, including one’s personal insights, perceptions, and judgments, as part of the therapeutic process. (FDE 1,4,5,6,7,10,11,14,15,17,18,19)
6. Articulate the role of the OTA and understand the functions of other professions while working interprofessionally with those services who contribute to the maintenance and recovery of health and wellness. (FDE 1,2,9)
7. Demonstrate an understanding of health literacy and the ability to educate and train the client, caregiver, and family and significant others to facilitate skills in areas of occupation as well as prevention, health maintenance, health promotion and safety. (FDE 4, 13, 15)
8. Understand the models of health care, education, community and social systems as they relate to the practice of occupational therapy. (FDE 1, 9, 3, 16)
9. Identify how scholarly activities can be used to evaluate professional practice, service delivery, and/or professional issues while promoting lifelong learning to meet the needs of a diverse and ever-changing healthcare environment. (FDE 1, 3, 9, 16)
10. Demonstrate professional behaviors and active involvement in professional development, leadership, and advocacy by understanding and utilizing the AOTA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for a consistent philosophy of ethical responsibility while working with clients, families, and other professionals. (FDE, 3, 16,

Program Entrance Requirements

1. Earned grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or better on ALL general education courses required by the program toward the degree and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 to meet graduation requirements.
2. Satisfactory completion of any remedial coursework needed to be eligible for college/credit level courses.
   NOTE: Prerequisite courses may be required for ENC 1101  and mathematics any Category A, Area II, A.S.* .These prerequisite courses MUST be taken and successfully completed PRIOR to entry into OTH 1001 . Consult the course descriptions in the Catalog or the specific department of the College for additional information.
3. Prerequisite courses MUST be completed with a grade of “C” or better at the time of application to be considered for priority acceptance.
   Prerequisite courses:
   BSC 2085 - Anatomy and Physiology I  *
   BSC 2085L - Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory  *
   Mathematics Choose from Category A, Area II, A.S.  *
   PSY 2012 - General Psychology  *
   ENC 1101 - Written Communication I *
4. A minimum grade of “C” is required on all courses applied to the Occupational Therapy Assistant degree.
5. A completed application for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program and the nonrefundable application fee of $35. (A separate application is required for admission to the College.)
6. Degree Works “What if Analysis submitted directly to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.

1. A statement of satisfactory physical and mental health and a record of current serum titers verifying immunity from communicable diseases from a licensed physician or nurse practitioner. (Form to be provided after admission to the program.)
2. A criminal background check (form to be provided after admission to the program) and drug screen.
3. Successful completion of Basic Life Support for the Health Care Provider course offered through the American Heart Association.
4. Mandatory attendance at the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program orientation. (Date to be announced.)
5. To submit to a drug screening as a condition for remaining in the program.

Students are admitted to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program ONCE a year in the Fall term. This is a limited enrollment program.

For additional program information including admissions requirements and application instructions check the program website at: http://www.scf.edu/OTA