Occupational Therapy Assistant

The OTA program has filled all application spots for the 2009-10 Academic Year. We will continue to accept applications from students interested in being placed on an interview waiting list. Students on the interview waiting list may be called IF a scheduled student cancels for the May interview, or IF the Program chooses to offer a July interview session. There is no guarantee that a student on the interview waiting list will be called for an interview.

Thank you for your interest in our Program. Please consider applying for the OTA Program again next year. Applications will be available Spring 2010 for students interested in the class beginning Fall 2010. Call 615-353-3708 if questions.

General Information
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program prepares students for a career in Occupational Therapy. The program includes academic and fieldwork training over a two-year course of study. This program trains students to work with persons of varied ages, cultures, and abilities to enable participation in life activities.

Graduates of the program will:
• Work under the supervision of a Registered Occupational therapist to implement intervention plans for persons of varied ages, cultures and abilities, enabling participation in life activities.
• Interact with health care providers and OT clients in a professional and meaningful manner.
• Be eligible for certification through the National Board of Certification for Occupational Therapy.

Applications for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program are accepted in the spring semester for the program beginning the next fall.

Students are encouraged to complete all General Education courses prior to beginning the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

Admission Requirements:
Interested students may contact the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at 615-353-3708 for an application packet and course information.

Application packets are available online and through our office beginning the first day of Spring semester each year.
Students with complete applications are scheduled for group interviews beginning in March of each year. Interviews are held in March, April, May and July.
Students are notified if they have been accepted into the program approximately three weeks after their interview.
Students from each interview group are accepted into the program, it is in a students best interest to apply early.
A maximum of 35 students are accepted into the Program each year.
The OTA Program does not keep a waiting list.

Program Requirements:
The OTA Program faculty recommend that students complete the Program on the two-year schedule. For students interested in beginning OTA classes Fall 2009, the following information applies:

BIOL 2010 Anatomy and Physiology I must be completed with a grade of "C" or better no later than the summer before beginning OTA classes
PYSC 1111 Psychology may be completed before beginning the program, but must be completed with a grade of "C" or better by the end of the first Fall semester in the Program.
The Humanities Elective, SPCH 1010 Speech and ENGL 1010 English Composition I may be completed before beginning the program, or at anytime during the first three Program semesters. All courses must be completed, with a grade of "C" or better, before students participate in the second year Spring semester fieldwork experiences.

The OTA Program offers a three-year schedule for students who are unable to attend full time, who wish to take the courses at a slower rate, or who have not completed BIOL 2010 Anatomy and Physiology before beginning the Program. Participation in the three year Program requires deparmental approval, contact the OTA Program Director for additional information.

Criminal Background Checks:
Admitted students will be required to provide a copy of a background check. NSCC does not use the background check as criteria for admission to the program. Background checks are required by some clinical sites as a condition of participation. Students are required to participate in a variety of clinical experiences to successfully complete the program. If a student is unable to participate in clinical experiences due to the results of the criminal background check, he/she may not be able to complete the degree requirements and would not graduate from the program.

Graduates of our program must successfully complete the NBCOT Examination before they are eligible for licensure in the State of Tennessee. All OTA licensure applicants must have a criminal background check completed before licensure will be granted. If students have questions or concerns regarding criminal history and employment eligibility, please contact NBCOT at (301) 990-7979 and the Tennessee Board of Occupational Therapy at (615) 532-3202 or (800) 778-4123.

The NSCC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
4720 Montgomery Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone:301-652-2682
Fax: 301-652-7711
TDD: 800-377-8555
www.aota.org
Email: accred@aota.org