Associate in Science Degree

(70 Credit Hours)

Program Director

Debra Chasanoff
941-752-5346 Bradenton
941-408-1300, ext. 65346 Venice
chasand@scf.edu

Program Goal

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 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-3449. AOTA’s phone number is (301) 652-AOTA. For more information about program accreditation or ACOTE, go to www.acoteonline.org.

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 requirement. These prerequisite courses MUST be taken PRIOR to entry into OTH 1001  to be eligible to take the required courses. 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 2085C - Anatomy and Physiology I  *
   BSC 2085L - Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory  *
   Mathematics Any Area II, A.S.  *
   PSY 2012 - General Psychology  *
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 $20. (A separate application is required for admission to the College.)

Upon acceptance, the following are required:

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. Completion of all or part of the general academic courses required in the degree does not guarantee acceptance into the program. However, priority is given to applicants who, at the time of application, have completed the most hours toward the degree and who submit their applications during the priority period. GPA (grade point average) on the general education courses required by the program will be the determining criteria. After the priority period, applications will be accepted on a space-available basis.

For additional program and admissions information check the website: scf.edu/OTA