Program: Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Program Code: (OTA) Program Faculty: Christiansen*, Ricker, Jones, Blechert (*program director) Program Description: The Occupational Therapy Assistant major is part of the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Other majors in this department are described under Baccalaureate Programs, Occupational Science. Occupational therapy is a profession that focuses on enabling people to engage in human occupation, which means to participate in the "day to day" activities that are meaningful to their lives. Through their interventions, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help individuals/groups regain and or maintain health as well as function by engaging them in a variety of occupations that promote and maintain physical, cognitive, spiritual and emotional health. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work in collaboration and cooperation with each other to plan and implement intervention programs. Populations served by occupational therapy can be found in a wide variety of settings. Some of these include educational settings, community settings and health care such as: schools, adult day care programs, businesses, sheltered workshops, camps, home programs, community centers, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and long term care facilities. The Occupational Therapy Assistant major includes instruction in the basic concepts of occupational therapy, interpersonal skills, group dynamics, group leadership skills, and the use of human occupation in enabling occupational performance. Student learning outcomes are identified as competencies and are based upon the occupational therapy process. The curriculum is competency based and is designed and staffed to allow frequent contact with the faculty. It offers the student exposure to many different learning experiences including: small group discussions, role-playing, simulations, guest speakers, service learning, and lectures. Several fieldwork experiences occur throughout both years in which the student will work directly with clients and therapists in a variety of settings. Students who complete all program requirements earn the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. LENGTH OF PROGRAM The program requirements are to be completed over one summer session and two academic years. Level II Fieldwork must be completed in a timely manner in accordance with the curriculum design. 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, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. ACOTE's number at AOTA is (301) 652-2682. CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national certification examination 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). Many states have some form of regulation in order to practice, and in Minnesota occupational therapy personnel must be licensed with the Minnesota Department of Health. Generally, state regulations are based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. LIMITATIONS RELATED TO CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE When graduates apply to take the certification examination with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), they will be asked to answer questions related to the topic of felony convictions. For further information on these limitations, contact NBCOT at 800 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877-4150. The phone number for NBCOT is (301) 990-7979. OTA Course Listings Major Requirements: OSOT102 Role of the OTA OSOT103 Human Occupations I OSOT104 Clinical Conditions OSOT105 Human Occupations II OSOT121 Client Support Skills OSOT124 Level I Fieldwork OSOT125 Aging OSOT130 Therapeutic Applications I OSOT131 Elective Level I Fieldwork (optional) OSOT233 Therapeutic Applications II OSOT236 Level II Fieldwork OSOT230 Therapeutic Applications III OSOT235 Level II Fieldwork OSOT240 Practice Models and Professional Issues OSOT325 A Group Dynamics (OTA students must take section A) Supporting courses: BIOL200 or 240 Summer Science Immersion or Anatomy & Physiology I PSYC202 Lifespan Development HIMP102 Medical Terminology Liberal Arts & Sciences core requirements: PSYC100 General Psychology ECOL200 Human Ecology ENGL110 Composition I PHIL200 Ethical Problems in Health Care SSCS100 Diversity, Democracy and Social Participation ART Elective ENGL elective THEO elective Two Core Integrated Learning Seminars (CIL) - 1 credit each FNDN010 Foundations in Computer Competency (not counted toward graduation) (An additional SSCS elective must be taken if a student transfers with only four credits in Anatomy and Physiology) Curriculum Guide Minor Requirements:
Program Description: The Occupational Therapy Assistant major is part of the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Other majors in this department are described under Baccalaureate Programs, Occupational Science. Occupational therapy is a profession that focuses on enabling people to engage in human occupation, which means to participate in the "day to day" activities that are meaningful to their lives. Through their interventions, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help individuals/groups regain and or maintain health as well as function by engaging them in a variety of occupations that promote and maintain physical, cognitive, spiritual and emotional health. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants work in collaboration and cooperation with each other to plan and implement intervention programs. Populations served by occupational therapy can be found in a wide variety of settings. Some of these include educational settings, community settings and health care such as: schools, adult day care programs, businesses, sheltered workshops, camps, home programs, community centers, clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and long term care facilities. The Occupational Therapy Assistant major includes instruction in the basic concepts of occupational therapy, interpersonal skills, group dynamics, group leadership skills, and the use of human occupation in enabling occupational performance. Student learning outcomes are identified as competencies and are based upon the occupational therapy process. The curriculum is competency based and is designed and staffed to allow frequent contact with the faculty. It offers the student exposure to many different learning experiences including: small group discussions, role-playing, simulations, guest speakers, service learning, and lectures. Several fieldwork experiences occur throughout both years in which the student will work directly with clients and therapists in a variety of settings. Students who complete all program requirements earn the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. LENGTH OF PROGRAM The program requirements are to be completed over one summer session and two academic years. Level II Fieldwork must be completed in a timely manner in accordance with the curriculum design. 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, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. ACOTE's number at AOTA is (301) 652-2682. CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national certification examination 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). Many states have some form of regulation in order to practice, and in Minnesota occupational therapy personnel must be licensed with the Minnesota Department of Health. Generally, state regulations are based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. LIMITATIONS RELATED TO CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE When graduates apply to take the certification examination with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), they will be asked to answer questions related to the topic of felony convictions. For further information on these limitations, contact NBCOT at 800 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877-4150. The phone number for NBCOT is (301) 990-7979. OTA Course Listings Major Requirements: OSOT102 Role of the OTA OSOT103 Human Occupations I OSOT104 Clinical Conditions OSOT105 Human Occupations II OSOT121 Client Support Skills OSOT124 Level I Fieldwork OSOT125 Aging OSOT130 Therapeutic Applications I OSOT131 Elective Level I Fieldwork (optional) OSOT233 Therapeutic Applications II OSOT236 Level II Fieldwork OSOT230 Therapeutic Applications III OSOT235 Level II Fieldwork OSOT240 Practice Models and Professional Issues OSOT325 A Group Dynamics (OTA students must take section A) Supporting courses: BIOL200 or 240 Summer Science Immersion or Anatomy & Physiology I PSYC202 Lifespan Development HIMP102 Medical Terminology Liberal Arts & Sciences core requirements: PSYC100 General Psychology ECOL200 Human Ecology ENGL110 Composition I PHIL200 Ethical Problems in Health Care SSCS100 Diversity, Democracy and Social Participation ART Elective ENGL elective THEO elective Two Core Integrated Learning Seminars (CIL) - 1 credit each FNDN010 Foundations in Computer Competency (not counted toward graduation) (An additional SSCS elective must be taken if a student transfers with only four credits in Anatomy and Physiology) Curriculum Guide Minor Requirements: