Occupational Therapy Assistant
The Occupational Therapy Assistant curriculum prepares individuals to work under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist in screening, assessing, planning, and implementing treatment as well as documenting progress for clients receiving occupational therapy services.
Course work focuses on human growth and development, conditions that interfere with activities of daily living, theory, and process of occupational therapy, individual or group treatment activities, the therapeutic use of self, activity analysis as well as grading or adapting activities and environments.
Graduates may be eligible to take the national certification examination for practice as a certified occupational therapy assistant. Employment opportunities include hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, long-term or extended care facilities, sheltered workshops, schools, outpatient clinics, home health programs, and community programs.
For specific information about potential positions and wages in occupational therapy assistant employment, visit the Central Piedmont Career Coach website.
Occupational Therapy Assistant (A45500)
Degree Awarded
An Associate in Applied Science Degree is awarded by the college upon completion of this program.
Admissions
- A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
- Complete a general admission application to Central Piedmont.
- Take the required placement tests.
- Meet with an academic advisor or counselor for preliminary counseling.
- Take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
- Submit all official high school and college transcripts to Admissions, Records & Registration.
- Complete any required preparatory courses with a grade of “C” or better.
- Upon acceptance and enrollment in the program, students must take all courses as scheduled and sequenced.
- Continued progression in the program requires a grade of “C” or better in every course.
- Complete a physical examination (including drug screen) documenting the ability to complete all program requirements.
- Many courses have prerequisites or co-requisites; check the Courses section for details.
- Fieldwork II placements must be completed within 12 months of completion of didactic course work.
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 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-49299. The council may be contacted online in the care of AOTA or by phone at 301.652.AOTA (2682).
Notes
Students spend more than 600 hours of supervised training in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, pediatric, mental health, and other settings to gain invaluable hands-on experience that supplements and complements traditional classroom learning.
Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, individuals are Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA).
In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice. Eligibility for state licenses usually is based on results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
Please Note: a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s eligibility to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or to attain state licensure.
Contact Information
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is in the Therapy and Acute Care Division. For more information, visit the Occupational Therapy Assistant. For further assistance, contact the Program Chair at 704.330.6756.
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| PSY 150 | General Psychology | 3.0 |
| ACA 122 | College Transfer Success | 1.0 |
| Take 3 credits from the following: | 3.0 | |
| Introduction to Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Take 3 credits from the following: | 3.0 | |
| Mathematical Measurement and Literacy | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Statistical Methods I | ||
| Precalculus Algebra | ||
| Select 3 credits of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Art History Survey I | ||
| Art History Survey II | ||
| Theatre Appreciation | ||
| Cultural Studies | ||
| Myth in Human Culture | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Introduction to Jazz | ||
| Philosophical Issues | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| World Religions | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| OTA 110 | Fundamentals of OT | 3.0 |
| OTA 120 | OT Media I | 2.0 |
| OTA 130 | Assessment Skills | 3.0 |
| OTA 140 | Professional Skills I | 1.0 |
| OTA 150 | Pediatric Concepts and Interventions | 3.0 |
| OTA 161 | Fieldwork I-Placement 1 | 1.0 |
| OTA 162 | Fieldwork I-Placement 2 | 1.0 |
| OTA 163 | Fieldwork I-Placement 3 | 1.0 |
| OTA 170 | Physical Conditions | 3.0 |
| OTA 180 | Psychosocial Conditions | 3.0 |
| OTA 220 | OT Media II | 3.0 |
| OTA 240 | Professional Skills II | 1.0 |
| OTA 250 | Adult Concepts and Interventions | 3.0 |
| OTA 260 | Level II Fieldwork Placement 1 | 6.0 |
| OTA 261 | Level II Fieldwork Placement 2 | 6.0 |
| PSY 241 | Developmental Psychology | 3.0 |
| PSY 281 | Abnormal Psychology | 3.0 |
| BIO 168 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4.0 |
| or BIO 165 | Anatomy and Physiology I | |
| Other Major Requirements: | ||
| OTA 280 | Professional Transitions | 1.0 |
| OTA 135 | Kinesiology | 1.0 |
| BIO 169 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4.0 |
| or BIO 166 | Anatomy and Physiology II | |
| MED 120 | Survey of Medical Terminology | 2.0 |
| or MED 121 | Medical Terminology I | |
| Total Credits | 74 | |
Occupational Therapy Assistant Suggested Course Sequence
The following is the suggested plan for when to take each course to complete the Associate in Applied Science degree, based on the program requirements of the 2024-2025 catalog. This is only a recommendation — you may take courses in another order upon consultation with your advisor. This plan is based on you starting with college-level math and English courses, starting your program in the fall, and attending full-time. You can also follow this sequence if you attend part-time. Speak with your academic advisor about the plan and any questions. This program might also offer diplomas or certificates; visit the catalog or contact the program for details. Visit the Academic Advising page for instructions on locating your assigned advisor: https://www.cpcc.edu/academics/academic-advising
| Term I | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| OTA 110 | Fundamentals of OT | 3.0 |
| OTA 120 | OT Media I | 2.0 |
| OTA 140 | Professional Skills I | 1.0 |
| BIO 168 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 4.0 |
| MED 120 | Survey of Medical Terminology | 2.0 |
| ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3.0 |
| ACA 122 | College Transfer Success | 1.0 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Term II | ||
| BIO 169 | Anatomy and Physiology II | 4.0 |
| PSY 150 | General Psychology | 3.0 |
| COM 110 | Introduction to Communication | 3.0 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Term III | ||
| OTA 130 | Assessment Skills | 3.0 |
| OTA 135 | Kinesiology | 1.0 |
| OTA 170 | Physical Conditions | 3.0 |
| PSY 281 | Abnormal Psychology | 3.0 |
| OTA 161 | Fieldwork I-Placement 1 | 1.0 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Term IV | ||
| OTA 150 | Pediatric Concepts and Interventions | 3.0 |
| OTA 180 | Psychosocial Conditions | 3.0 |
| OTA 250 | Adult Concepts and Interventions | 3.0 |
| OTA 240 | Professional Skills II | 1.0 |
| OTA 162 | Fieldwork I-Placement 2 | 1.0 |
| PSY 241 | Developmental Psychology | 3.0 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Term V | ||
| OTA 220 | OT Media II | 3.0 |
| OTA 163 | Fieldwork I-Placement 3 | 1.0 |
| Humanities/Fine Arts | 3.0 | |
| MAT 110 | Mathematical Measurement and Literacy | 3.0 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Term VI | ||
| OTA 260 | Level II Fieldwork Placement 1 | 6.0 |
| OTA 261 | Level II Fieldwork Placement 2 | 6.0 |
| OTA 280 | Professional Transitions | 1.0 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 74 | |