The program head will notify students on the waiting list as space becomes available. Priority on the waiting list is assigned based on the date of completed requirements and the initial date of request to be placed on the waiting list.
The program head will provide the physical examination form to be completed for final clearance. Courses that meet the program’s general education requirements (NAS 161-162, ENG 111-112, HLT/PED, PSY 215, PSY 238, MTH 120, STD 100, IST 100) may be completed at any campus or transferred from another college.
Students are responsible for providing their own transportation, uniforms, and living expenses during fieldwork experiences. Students may be required to travel to other areas to complete clinical training for up to eight weeks. Although some modifications can be made for part-time students, there will be some scheduled classes during daytime work hours. In the fifth semester, there will be 40 hours or more per week of clinical and class time, so students must plan their schedules accordingly.
Program Progression: The student must complete all support courses either preceding or concurrently with the appropriate OCT courses as indicated in the curriculum plan. Students will normally be required to repeat OCT, ENG, PSY, and NAS courses in which grades lower than a "C" are received. Students must complete Level II fieldwork (OCT 290) within 18 months following completion of academic preparation. Students should contact the program head for further information about program progression.
Fieldwork Contracts: Individual contracts are in effect with each affiliate fieldwork agency. Contracts for each agency are available in the program office and may be reviewed by students upon request. Students are required to be covered by professional liability insurance that is provided by the college.
Financial Requirements: Costs of books, supplies, uniforms, transportation, and physical exams are in addition to the tuition.
Computer Competency Requirement: Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement by successfully completing IST 100. Students can also meet this requirement by passing the college’s computer competency exam, administered in the testing centers on each campus, in which case they will receive college credit for IST 100. Students not passing the computer competency exam may retake the exam only once.
Program Accreditation: 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, P. O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. AOTA’s phone number is (301) 652-AOTA.
Graduates will be able to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT examination. Virginia does not currently require licensure of COTAs, but certification by the NBCOT is required for employment.
