Javascript is currently not supported, or is disabled by this browser. Please enable Javascript for full functionality.

Skip to Main Content
    Florida State College
   
 
  Mar 27, 2023
 
2010-2011 Catalog [Aug. 2010-Aug. 2011] 
    
2010-2011 Catalog [Aug. 2010-Aug. 2011] [Archived Catalog]

Occupational Therapy Assistant (2355) (A.S.)


Return to Program by Degree Type Return to: Program by Degree Type

Associate in Science

Mission Statement

Our mission is to create competent, ethical, confident entry–level occupational therapy assistants committed to professional development through life–long learning in a positive, non–discriminatory and supportive learning environment.

The Career

Occupational therapist assistants under the direction of occupational therapists help people of all ages regain, develop, or master everyday skills in order to live independent, productive, and satisfying lives. Working in collaboration with occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals, occupational therapy assistants are employed in a variety of traditional and emerging practice settings included but not limited to hospitals, community settings, mental health settings, public schools, rehabilitation settings, home health agencies, and nursing homes. Occupational therapy assistants provide occupation-based treatment interventions to improve the quality of life of clients within the community.

For information on the activities of our professional organization and the role of the occupational therapy assistant please visit the website of the American Occupational Therapy Organization (AOTA).

The Program

Upon completion of the two year 70 credit occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program the graduate will be awarded an associate’s of science (A.S.) degree and will be prepared to function as an entry-level practitioner. The program includes a combination of general education and professional OTA concentration courses. OTA courses include lecture, laboratory, and clinical education experiences. The program is a limited access program based on academic performance and other criteria.

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. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA. 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.

Fieldwork Experience

Fieldwork is an integral part of the educational process and is designed to be an in-depth experience in delivering occupational therapy services to clients in a variety of settings in the community. Level II fieldwork generally requires two eight week full time experiences scheduled in the last semester prior to graduation. Students are responsible for travel and travel expenses. All Occupational Therapy Assistant students must complete Level II Fieldwork within 18 months following completion of academic preparation.

Curriculum

All general education courses must be completed before the last term of the occupational therapy assistant program. A grade point average of at least 2.0 must be maintained.

Application Procedure

Acceptance into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is based upon academic performance and other criteria. To be considered as a qualified applicant, individuals must complete the following by the application deadline:

  1. Complete and submit an occupational therapy assistant application and clinical experience verification form to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program department.
  2. Complete the Health Occupations Test (HOT) and include the results in the occupational therapy assistant application file.
  3. Forward official college transcripts to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.
  4. Provide evidence of current CPR certification for health care providers (infant, child, adult).
  5. Complete the required prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C”.
  6. Complete a minimum of five hours observation or volunteer service with a licensed occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. Submit a complete observation/volunteer verification form with the application.

Note: A physical examination will be required upon acceptance into the program.

Application Deadline

Applications are due May 27, 2011. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be processed.

Need More Information?

View Program Information and Contacts

Prerequisites


Successful completion of the following prerequisites is necessary before applying to the program.

*Refer to A.S./A.A.S. General Education Requirements .

*Mathematics Credit Hours: 3
    Recommended course: MAC 1105 - College Algebra 

Curriculum


Total Credit Hours: 70

General Education (Credit Hours: 26)


*Refer to A.S./A.A.S. General Education Requirements .

*Mathematics Credit Hours: 3
   Recommended course: MAC 1105 - College Algebra 
*Humanities Credit Hours: 3

Record of Conviction of a Crime


Effective July 1, 2009, pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, health care review boards shall refuse to renew a license, certificate or registration, issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendre, regardless of adjudication, to a felony violation of: chapters 409, 817, or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application, terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent 5 years) or terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent 5 years). The Florida nursing or allied health licensure or certification application requires disclosure of any criminal history and the disposition of all cases prior to board review. Being convicted of, or having entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendre to, any of the listed felonies in Florida Statute 456.0635 or termination for cause from the statutorily-described Medicaid programs will preclude an applicant from obtaining a nursing or allied health license or certification in the state of Florida. Entry and acceptance into the nursing or allied health program does not guarantee licensure or certification in the State of Florida.

Graduation Requirements


In order to be awarded the associate in science or associate in applied science degree, students must have met the following requirements:

  1. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) at Florida State College in courses eligible toward the associate in science or applied science degree programs (A.S. Florida State College GPA or A.A.S. Florida State College GPA).
  2. Earned an all–college cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on all courses attempted, including transferred credits. (All college cumulative).
  3. Completed at least 25 percent of credit semester hours required for the degree at Florida State College.
  4. Completed a minimum of 60 semester hours, as specified by the degree, of which a minimum of 15 semester hours must be General Education requirements.
  5. Earned a grade of at least a “C” in each course used to satisfy the A.S./A.A.S. General Education Requirements .
  6. Can demonstrate mastery of the Information Literacy Assessment. Refer to the assessment section  for details.
Note: Students are cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements.
  1. Graduation dates will be the date at the end of the college term in which the students complete the academic requirements for the degree or certificate for which students are applicants. (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect students’ graduation dates, since the grade change is effective as of the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up.)
  2. If students expect to complete the coursework under the terms of the catalog in effect during the term of their first registration, they must graduate within five years or they will need to be reassigned to an active catalog. Accordingly, students who enter under this catalog (2010/2011) must graduate by the end of the Summer Term 2015, or they will automatically be reassigned to the 2014/2015 catalog requirements. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.
  3. The General Education Requirements may be taken on any Florida State College campus or center.
  4. Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite and/or corequisite courses which are listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.
  5. Students who place into college preparatory courses are required to complete designated college preparatory courses with a grade of “C” or better regardless of program of study.
  6. Students enrolling in associate in applied science programs must pass all sections of the placement test before award of an A.A.S. degree, regardless of the degree program’s general education requirements.
  7. Degree–seeking students whose native language is not English, who fall below a designated cutoff score on the English as a second language (ESL) entry placement test, will be required to take ESL courses with EAP prefix prior to registering for other college credit classes. The level of these courses will be determined by the entry placement scores. Individual exceptions will be determined by the ESL program manager.
  8. Degree–seeking students identified as non–native speakers must take an English as a second language (ESL) placement test prior to taking the College’s standard course placement test. Students who place into ESL, as determined by the test, must complete ESL courses before registering for other college credit classes. Non–degree seeking college credit students who plan to take English or reading courses must also meet these requirements. Exceptions to these requirements can be made by the ESL program manager or designee.

University Transfer


This associate in science degree program is intended primarily for students who desire to complete an associate in science degree and become employed. Students who decide to pursue university transfer study must meet certain course and test requirements. For details refer to the University Transfer Guide.

Return to Program by Degree Type Return to: Program by Degree Type