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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Major: 3176
Effective Term: 2025 Fall   

Award: AAS
Total Credits: 72.5-82.5
CIP Code: 51.0803
Instructional Council: Allied Health
GPA: 3.00
SOC Code: Upon completion of this degree, students may pursue a career as:
31-2011.00 Occupational Therapy Assistants


Description: The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program prepares students to use therapeutic modalities and procedures under the direction and supervision of an occupational therapist. The OTA provides rehabilitative services to people with physical, psycho-social and developmental impairments as well as helps people of all ages regain independence and participate in daily activities. Occupational therapy assistants blend science, creativity, and compassion to help their clients develop skills and strategies to participate fully in meaningful life activities.

Occupational therapy assistants are skilled health care workers who provide direct patient care under the supervision of an occupational therapist (OT). Work locations include but are not limited to rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, schools, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and outpatient clinics.

Program graduates will be eligible to take the National Occupational Therapy Certification Examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the examination, graduates are certified as occupational therapy assistants and are eligible to apply for state licensure.



Required Courses
+ BIO202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4

FYE101 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success (1) OR
FYE103 Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success (3) 1-3

HCC146 Common Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals (2) OR
Work experience or equivalent education as evaluated by the Gateway Health Core Curriculum Coordinator (0) 0-2

OTA100 Introduction to Occupational Therapy Assistant Profession 2
+ OTA102 Psychosocial Health and Occupation 3
+ OTA105 Fieldwork Level I: Psychosocial 0.5
+ OTA107 Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy 3
+ OTA117 Physical Health and Occupations 3
+ OTA157 Occupational Therapy Assistant in Physical Rehabilitation 3
+ OTA201 Assistive Technology 2
+ OTA205 Fieldwork Level I: Adult 0.5
+ OTA207 Occupational Therapy Assistant in Geriatrics 3
+ OTA215 Fieldwork Level I: Pediatrics 0.5
+ OTA216 Occupational Therapy Assisting Pediatrics I 2
+ OTA217 Occupational Therapy Assisting Pediatrics II 3
+ OTA234 Occupational Therapy Assistant Professional Standards 2
+ OTA255 Fieldwork Level II: Adult 4
+ OTA256 Clinical Practicum Seminar II: Adult 1
+ OTA265 Fieldwork Level II: Pediatrics 4
+ OTA266 Clinical Practicum Seminar II: Pediatrics 1
+ OTA284 Occupational Therapy Assistant Professional Transition 2
+ PSY266 Psychological Disorders 3
SOC101 Introduction to Sociology 3
 Credits: 50.5-54.5

Program Competencies
1. Integrate the occupational therapy practice framework throughout the OTA intervention process. (OTA100, OTA102, OTA107, OTA117, OTA157, OTA216, OTA217, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, OTA284)
2. Analyze occupational performance and activity demand. (OTA107, OTA117, OTA157, OTA201, OTA205, OTA207, OTA216, OTA217, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, OTA284)
3. Assess client factors, performance skills, and performance patterns that affect occupational performance. (OTA100, OTA102, OTA107, OTA117, OTA157, OTA201, OTA205, OTA207, OTA215, OTA216, OTA217, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, OTA284, PSY266)
4. Integrate an awareness of biological, physical social, and behavioral sciences into OTA service provision. (OTA100, OTA102, OTA107, OTA117, OTA157, OTA201, OTA205, OTA207, OTA216, OTA217, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, OTA284, PSY266, SOC101)
5. Appraise environmental and contextual factors during the intervention process. (OTA107, OTA157, OTA201, OTA207, OTA216, OTA217, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, OTA284, SOC101)
6. Modify treatment activities based on progress or changes in client or environmental factors. (OTA107, OTA207, OTA216, OTA217, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, OTA284)
7. Demonstrate effective professional written and verbal communication with clients, families, caregivers, supervisors, and all other members of the health care team. (HCC146, OTA100, OTA102, OTA105, OTA107, OTA117, OTA157, OTA201, OTA207, OTA215, OTA216, OTA217, OTA234, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, OTA284)
8. Integrate therapeutic use of self into OTA interventions. (OTA105, OTA107, OTA117, OTA205, OTA207, OTA215, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, OTA284)
9. Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth. (OTA105, OTA107, OTA201, OTA205, OTA216, OTA217, OTA234, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, OTA284)
10. Apply legal and ethical regulations to OTA practice. (OTA105, OTA107, OTA205, OTA207, OTA217, OTA215, OTA234, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, OTA284)
11. Demonstrate civic engagement and an awareness of social, economic and political factors which affect health care provision. (OTA117, OTA157, OTA201, OTA207, OTA216, OTA217, OTA234, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, PSY266, SOC101)
12. Create client-centered treatment activities which provide the appropriate level of challenge and address client goals, values, culture, beliefs, and the established occupational therapy goals. (OTA105, OTA117, OTA157, OTA205, OTA207, OTA216, OTA217, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, OTA284, SOC101)
13. Consider potential discharge needs and plans during intervention process. (OTA201, OTA207, OTA216, OTA217, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266, OTA284)
14. Demonstrate competency with entry-level occupational therapy assistant intervention skills with clients of all ages. (BIO202, OTA205, OTA215, OTA234, OTA255, OTA256, OTA265, OTA266)
+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 25, 2025

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.