An Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) works under the direction of an Occupational Therapist to provide rehabilitative services to persons with mental, physical, emotional or developmental impairments with the ultimate goal to improve the client’s quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
In 2024, occupational therapy assistants held approximately 46,090 jobs. The median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $67,010 in May 2023. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Prerequisites
The student will need to demonstrate proficiencies in reading, English, and mathematics based on the Mandatory Placement Policy, or by taking the recommended/ required classes. Some of the courses in this curriculum have specific prerequisites.
Program Path Sequence
The listing that follows is a recommended sequence of courses. The student should consult with an advisor for information specific to their academic situation.
For More Information Contact Peggy Carman - OTA Program Director 785-248-2806 or
pcarman@neosho.edu, or Advising Staff, 620-432-0311
advising@neosho.edu if program advisor is unavailable.
*All A&P Classes must be taken within 5 years of starting OTA classes*
The above general education courses must be completed with a grade of A, B, or C prior to taking OTA courses.
*Students entering NCCC direct from high school are required to enroll in CURR 100 First Year Seminar (SGE)070. Students transferring in 15 or more credits from an accredited post-secondary institution are exempt from enrolling in CURR 100 .
Occupational Therapy Assistant AAS Requirements
**General Education program requirements can be taken anytime before OR during semesters of OTA coursework (excluding Fieldwork-Level II semester).**
Accreditation
The occupational therapy assistant program has full accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510 E, Bethesda, MD 20714. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-6611 and the website link 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 individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most 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.
Program Outcomes
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Demonstrate an understanding of occupational therapy (OT) history, philosophical base, and code of ethics. (Professional Identity)
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Demonstrate an understanding of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) including the OT Domains and OT Process. (Professional Identity)
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Describe models of practice, frames of reference and evidence-based research that are used in OT. (Essential Skills)
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Demonstrate an understanding of physical, psychological and social development as well as the impacts of disability and disease on occupational performance, health and well-being. (Essential Skills)
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Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of OT interventions and procedures to enhance safety, wellness, and performance in daily occupations. (Essential Skills)
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Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate through written, oral, nonverbal, and/or virtual means with the client, care providers, colleagues, other health providers, and the public in a professionally acceptable manner. (Essential Skills)
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Demonstrate therapeutic use of self to promote client understanding, motivation and improved performance during skill competency assessments, service-learning opportunities and fieldwork experiences. (Experiential Learning)
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Demonstrate clinical reasoning skills within the continuum of service delivery (screening, evaluation, interventions, outcome measures, and discharge planning) through case-based learning, skill competency assessments, practice labs, and fieldwork experiences. (Experiential Learning)
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Assess and analyze contextual environments, social norms and personal desires in order to effectively advocate for the needs of populations, groups, and clients. (Community Awareness)
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Demonstrate appreciation for diversity, individualism and self-reliance while promoting client independence and safety. (Community Awareness)
Return to: 
(SGE)010