Occupational Therapy Assistant, Associate of Applied Science

Program Information

For more information on program accreditation, students may see the San Jacinto College website

Showing compassion and patience are strengths of those who choose occupational therapy for a career. You will assist patients to develop, recover, and improve skills for daily living.

As an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), you will work under the direction and supervision of an Occupational Therapist in a variety of settings and situations from adults recovering from a stroke, to children and young adults with developmental disabilities. Patients and their needs are widely varied and each day holds new, rewarding challenges.

The San Jacinto College Occupational Therapy Assistant program:

  • Includes three Level I fieldwork experiences over the span of three semesters in the areas of pediatrics, mental health, and physical disabilities. In the final semester, students complete Level II fieldwork, which consists of two 8-week rotations in pediatrics or physical disability areas;
  • Consists of 60 credit hours; 20 credit hours are prerequisites and 40 credit hours of core courses; and
  • Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to test for the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) to become a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).

OTAs work in a variety of settings including, but not limited to: hospitals, pediatric clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and school systems.

Program Accreditation

The San Jacinto College Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by: 

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

ACOTE
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
Telephone Number: 301-652-6611
https://acoteonline.org/

Career Opportunities

Employment of OTAs is expected to increase 43 percent over the next seven years, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. This adds 14,100 OTA professionals to the field. According to the 2017 US News Rankings, OTAs are ranked No. 1 in Best Health Care Support Jobs and No. 12 in the 100 Best Jobs.

Earning Potential

Occupational Therapist Assistant: $71,1941 per year

1

Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2021

For more information, students may contact 281-998-6350, x3141 or send an email to otaprogram@sjcd.edu.

Campus

South Campus

Information

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) are a vital member of the health care team. The everyday tasks that most of us take for granted—getting dressed or brushing our teeth, for instance—are an OTA's crowning achievements. These health care professionals help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed to get back into the routine of daily living and working. OTAs are directly involved in providing therapy to patients and work under the direction of an Occupational Therapist (OT). OTAs work primarily in hospitals, nursing care facilities, in home health care, and in schools. OTAs spend much of their time on their feet working with patients and engaging them in everyday activities.

Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site. 

Admission

In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.  

Students may view admission information and obtain an application packet on the Occupational Therapy Assistant webpage

Plan of Study

3OCC-THRPY

Plan of Study Grid
PrerequisitesCredits
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
Mathematics 3
BIOL 2301
BIOL 2101
Anatomy and Physiology I (Lecture)
and Anatomy and Physiology I (Lab)
4
BIOL 2302
BIOL 2102
Anatomy and Physiology II (Lecture)
and Anatomy and Physiology II (Lab)
4
PSYC 2301 General Psychology 3
PHIL 2306 Introduction to Ethics 3
 Credits20
First Term
OTHA 1305 Principles of Occupational Therapy 3
OTHA 1309 Human Structure and Function in Occupational Therapy 3
OTHA 1315 Therapeutic Use of Occupations or Activities I 3
OTHA 2301 Pathophysiology in Occupational Therapy 3
 Credits12
Second Term
OTHA 1241 Occupational Performance from Birth through Adolescence 2
OTHA 2304 Neurology in Occupational Therapy 3
OTHA 2231 Physical Function in Occupational Therapy 2
OTHA 1160 Clinical - Occupational Therapy Assistant 1
 Credits8
Third Term
OTHA 2209 Mental Health in Occupational Therapy 2
OTHA 1319 Therapeutic Interventions I 3
OTHA 1253 Occupational Performance for Elders 2
OTHA 1161 Clinical - Occupational Therapy Assistant 1
 Credits8
Fourth Term
OTHA 1249 Occupational Performance of Adulthood 2
OTHA 2302 Therapeutic Use of Occupations or Activities II 3
OTHA 2235 Health Care Management in Occupational Therapy 2
OTHA 1162 Clinical - Occupational Therapy Assistant 1
 Credits8
Fifth Term
OTHA 2266 Practicum (or Field Experience) - Occupational Therapy Assistant 2
OTHA 2267 Practicum (or Field Experence) - Occupational Therapy Assistant 2
 Credits4
 Total Credits60

Capstone Experience: OTHA 2267 Practicum (or Field Experence) - Occupational Therapy Assistant

Note: Occupational Therapy Assistant students must earn a C or higher in all courses in the curriculum. Additionally, students must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 in order to graduate from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.