Occupational Therapy Assistant
Associate of Applied Science
Overview
The OTA Program is placed on Accreditation-Inactive status.
The OTA program has been granted a status of Accreditation-Inactive 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 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org. This status indicates that the program is not currently enrolling new students and does not plan to enroll new students in the future. While the program is on Accreditation-Inactive status, the graduates of the program will be 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, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
The associate-degree-level 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 20852-4929. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org.
Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at https://secure.nbcot.org/data/schoolstats.aspx.
Program Mission
The OTA program mission corresponds with the mission of Laredo College, which is “Laredo College is a learner-centered institution that transforming students’ lives through educational programs and services to fulfill the dynamic needs of its local, regional, and global community.”
The Laredo College Occupational Therapy Assistant program is committed to providing educational services that focus on the needs of the community and its citizens. We offer a specialized curriculum focused on the development of the lifespan to meet these needs. It is our desire to prepare competent entry-level practitioners who will serve the local, regional and international community and its citizens with this commitment. The goal of the program is to graduate students who can adapt to the growing changes within the profession of occupational therapy as well as the anticipated unknown delivery of services in healthcare.
Why choose a career in Occupational Therapy Assistant Program?
As an occupational therapy practitioner, you will work with individuals of all ages to help them gain skills needed for the engagement in meaningful occupations. Practitioners identify problems and suggest innovative tools or techniques which will enable clients to perform daily tasks and achieve greater independence in their lives. You will be part of a team helping to increase the individual's performance in everyday occupations in a safer and more productive environment.
What are the career opportunities in OTA?
Opportunities today are dynamic. Practitioners can work in a variety of settings with people of all ages. This includes working with individuals in their homes, schools, community centers, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, psychiatric settings, and long-term facilities.
Areas of practice today are becoming increasingly important. Emerging practice areas in OT include aging in place, driver assessment and training, community health and wellness, the needs of children and youth, ergonomics consulting and technology, and assistive-device development and consultation. OT practitioners assist in various life activities in which people, populations or organizations engage in. This may include training in basic activities of bathing, dressing, and/or personal hygiene or may involve more complex activities such as cooking, the use of computer assisted communication, maintaining a safe environment and the development and management of routines for health and wellness.
What kind of salary can I expect to earn?
Starting salaries range from $34,000 to $52,000 a year depending on location, working hours, and experience. As the population of the United States ages, the demand for qualified OT practitioners has increased.
Click here for area and national compensation comparisons.
Program Costs
The approximate cost of the two-year degree plan for tuition, books, fees, and supplies is $13,000 for in-district students, approximately $16,000 for out-of-state students. Refer to the LC catalog for current, up-to-date fee details.
Accreditation
Accreditation and Licensure
The associate-degree-level 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 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA and its website address is www.acoteonline.org.
Graduates of the program will be 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, the graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination or attain state licensure.
Contact can be made at http://www.ptot.texas.gov/ for questions regarding eligibility for licensure or www.nbcot.org for certification questions.
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
c/o Accreditation Department
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
(301) 652-AOTA (2682)
(301) 652-7711 fax
(800) 377-8555 (TDD)
E-mail: accred@aota.org
Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (TBOTE)
333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-510
Austin, TX 78701-3945
(512) 305-6900
(512) 305-6970 fax
To contact TBOTE http://www.ptot.texas.gov/forms/public/contact_us
https://www.ptot.texas.gov/page/executive-council
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT)
12 South Summit Avenue, Suite 100
Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4150
(301) 990-7979
(301) 869-8492 (fax)
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Outcomes
Graduate Outcome Data
Students completing the Laredo College OTA program must take the NBCOT Certification Exam. The total number of graduates from the Laredo College OTA program during the 3-year period of 2017-2019 was 32, with an overall graduation rate of 68%.
| Graduating Year | Number Entered | Number Graduated | Graduation Rate |
| 2020 | 13 | 6 | 46% |
| 2019 | 16 | 12 | 75% |
| 2018 | 14 | 9 | 64% |
| TOTAL | 43 | 27 | 63% |
Information
Application and Selection Process
The fall 2022 admission will be postponed until further notice
Observation hours are not required
The student seeking admission into the OTA program must:
- Meet LC admission criteria. Click here for more information.
- Be college ready per Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements.
- Have an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 including pre-requisites, OTA degree- specific courses, and all academic courses.
- Complete the following prerequisite courses:
- Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2301 & BIOL 2101)
- Composition I (ENGL 1301)
- Life Span Growth and Development (PSYC 2314)
- Principles of Occupational Therapy (OTHA 1305)
*Students may be currently enrolled in pre-requisite courses. Selection process is conditional and based on the final grades for any pre-requisites taken in the summer.
Selection Process
- Qualified students who submit completed applications will be invited to sit for a pre-entrance exam and an interview. Admission into the OTA Program is based on achieving a minimum of 60% of total percentage points awarded from 100% based on the following:
Degree Specific grade point average GPA (40%)
Pre-Entrance exam (30%)
Panel Interview (20%)
Written essay or questionnaire (10%) - The top finalists who meet the required criteria will be considered for the panel interview.
- Students will be ranked based on the highest percentage points awarded, and maximum of 18 students will be accepted. Due to program size limitations, a number of applicants who meet the program admissions requirements may not be admitted to the program. Applicants should note that although the OTA Program has placement for up to 18 students, only those students who meet the cut-off percentage score will be admitted each spring semester.
- The applicant will be notified by LC's official means of communication regarding the program admission status. The applicant who is not selected for admission into the program may reapply the next application period and complete all admission requirements described above.
Acceptance
Once a student has been accepted into the program, the student must provide the following documents and immunizations:
- Immunization records, including:
2. Negative (clear- should have no criminal record) criminal background check completed. Students will be provided the login information to obtain a background check through contracted criminal background providers. A record of any criminal conduct while in the program must be disclosed to the Program Director immediately. The student will not be able to continue with the OTA program.
- TB skin test (annual) or chest x-ray results (every 5 years)
- Two Step TB test or blood test upon entering and one TB test annually thereafter. If the student results are positive, a chest x-ray will be required.
- Influenza vaccine (seasonal and annual)
- One dose of Tetanus-Diphtheria and Pertussis (TDaP) every ten years. Booster will be accepted if the original TDaP is on file.
- Hepatitis B (HepB) 3 dose vaccine series or positive titer prior to direct patient contact. If the titer is negative, the student will be required a booster with a follow up titer. Heplisav-B will be accepted.
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)- 2 doses or positive titer. If the titer is negative, the student will be required a booster with a follow up titer.
- Varicella (2 doses) or positive titer. Physician validated record of Varicella disease (chicken pox) will be accepted. If unable to provide proof, 2 dose Varicella or positive titer will be required.
- Bacterial Meningitis - Legislative Bill 1107 requires that all college students must receive the vaccine by 2012 (see Laredo College catalog for bacterial meningitis criteria).
- Hepatitis A (HepA) 3 dose vaccine series or positive titer prior to direct patient contact. If the titer is negative, the student will be required a booster with a follow up titer.
3. Negative 10 panel drug screen completed annually completed through the contracted drug screen provider.
4. A complete physical examination annually.
5. Submit evidence of current basic CPR certification for health care professionals approved by the American Heart Association BLS Health Care Provider. Certification must remain current for the duration of the program.
6. Purchase and maintain current student liability insurance (fees are paid with registration on an annual basis).Negative COVID-19 test(s) - Due to the Pandemic some of the clinical agencies require the COVID-19 vaccine. As guests in the facility, the programs must adhere to the agency’s requirements. If you chose not to take the vaccine you may not be able to complete your clinical requirements therefore you may need to “withdrawal” from the course.
The OTA Program adheres to the Equal Opportunity Policy as listed in the LC Manual of Policy FA (LEGAL), click here to access policy.
Course Computer Requirements
The LC OTA program utilizes web-enhanced courses and may at times offer an online course. A high-speed Internet connection is suggested for best results with your Canvas LMS online coursework. The Internet browser is an important factor in making sure that your online course works adequately during the semester. Canvas supports the last two versions of every browser release; however, we highly recommend that you update your browser's flash plug-ins and to update often your computer's browser to the latest version. To avoid technical issues, we would like to recommend that you use either Firefox, Google Chrome, or Safari.
Plan of Study
| PREREQUISITES | Semester Offered | Credit Hours |
| OTHA 1305 – Principles of Occupational Therapy | Fall, Spring | 3 |
| BIOL 2301 – Anatomy and Physiology I (C) | Fall, Spring, SSI | 3 |
| BIOL 2101 – Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory | 1 | |
| ENGL 1301 – Composition I (C) | Fall, Spring, SSI | 3 |
| PSYC 2314 – Lifespan Growth & Development (C) | Spring | 3 |
| 13 Hours | ||
| SEMESTER 1 | ||
| OTHA 1309 – Human Structure and Function in Occupational Therapy | 3 | |
| OTHA 1315 – Therapeutic Use of Occupations or Activities I | 3 | |
| OTHA 1341 – Occupational Performance Birth through Adolescence | 3 | |
| OTHA 1161 – Clinical OTA – Pediatric | 1 | |
| BIOL 2302 – Anatomy and Physiology II (C) | 3 | |
| BIOL 2102 – Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory | 1 | |
| 14 Hours | ||
| SEMESTER 2 | ||
| OTHA 1319 – Therapeutic Interventions I | 3 | |
| OTHA 1349 – Occupational Performance in Adulthood | 3 | |
| OTHA 2301 – Pathophysiology in Occupational Therapy | 3 | |
| OTHA 1162 – Clinical OTA - Adults | 1 | |
| SOCI 1301 – Introduction to Sociology (C) | 3 | |
| 13 Hours | ||
| SEMESTER 3 | ||
| OTHA 1253 – Occupational Performance in Elders | 2 | |
| OTHA 2309 – Mental Health in Occupational Therapy | 3 | |
| OTHA 1163 – Clinical - Psychosocial | 1 | |
| Elective – Language Philosophy, and Culture | 3 | |
| 9 Hours | ||
| SEMESTER 4 | ||
| OTHA 2462 – Clinical Rotation II | 4 | |
| OTHA 2463 – Clinical Rotation III | 4 | |
| OTHA 2330 – Workplace Skills for the OTA | 3 | |
| PSYC 2314 – Language Philosophy & Culture/Creative Arts (C) | ||
| 11 Hours | ||
| AAS DEGREE MINIMUM: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS/PATHWAY TOTAL: 60 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS | ||