The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program provides active classroom instruction and extensive field experience in the (technical level) theory and practice of occupational therapy with individuals and populations across the life span within various service delivery models. The prescribed curriculum affords students the opportunity to develop the necessary skills needed to seek employment as an entry-level occupational therapy assistant in a variety of institutional and community-based settings. Job opportunities are available in rehabilitation facilities, general hospitals, out patient clinics, long term care facilities, home health agencies, public school systems, and various community programs servicing those with or at risk for health related problems and dysfunction.
On an individual basis, graduates of the program have been able to receive transfer credits to professional schools and continue their studies to become occupational therapists. Acceptance of the transfer credits depends on the receiving institution. Students planning to transfer should consult directly with the institution of their choice. NSCC's OTA Program has an official transfer agreement with Salem State College's combined BS/MS Program in Occupational Therapy.
The OTA Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA). Graduates of the program receive an Associate in Science degree and are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT). After successful completion of this examination, the individual will be a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure to practice. Licensure in many states, including Massachusetts is based on the results of the NBCOT certification exam. A fellony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. In order to practice as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Massachusetts, individuals must be licensed and work under the supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapist.
Students enrolled in the program will be required to meet technical standards and undergo various reviews/screens including a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), Sexual Offense Record Investigation (SORI) and drug screen. Depending on the contents of these various screenings, participation in field placement(s) may be denied. Students who are unable to participate in the fieldwork will not meet program requirements.
Information regarding academic accreditation, professional certification and Massachusetts' licensure may be obtained from the following organizations respectively:
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education c/o The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. 4720 Montgomery Lane PO Box 31220 Bethesda, MD 20824-1220 (301) 652-2682 www.aota.org
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. 12 South Summit Ave., Suite 100 Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150 (301) 990-7979 www.nbcot.org
Board of Registration in Allied Health Professionals Division of Professional Licensure 239 Causeway Street, Suite 500 Boston, MA 02114 (617) 727-3071 www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/ah
The OTA Program is a selective admissions program. Further information about the program, application process, and admission requirements can be found on the academic department web page at www.northshore.edu/departments/ota
Entrance into any Occupational Therapy Assistant course requires succesfull completion of all prerequisite courses and requires a grade of "C" (73%) or better for all OTA courses. A grade of "P" is required for OTA204 and OTA208.
Admissions Information
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The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is a selective admissions program. Further information about the program, application process and admission requirements can be found on the academic department web page at www.northshore.edu/programs.
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Admission to this Program occurs only in the Fall Semester.
North Shore Community College reserves the right to make changes in courses, program requirements, policies, and regulations as circumstances dictate. There is no guarantee that any listed course will be offered in any given semester.
