wright college  
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT
(Associate in Applied Science Degree, Code 259)
       
(75 credit hours minimum)  
       
Study of occupational therapy as a skilled healthcare service that uses occupation to promote meaningful living. Occupations, the key tools of occupational therapy, are the clusters of meaningful doing that all people express in their day-to-day living through their roles and activities. Occupational therapy assistants, under the guidance of occupational therapists, adapt activities, tasks, and the environment in order to enable people of all ages and backgrounds to fulfill their chosen occupations and life roles. Career options can include employment in hospitals, clinics, schools, specialized community care settings, and wellness programs.
       
The program's mission is to prepare competent and effective occupational therapy practitioners who value occupation as both a means and as an end to quality living for self and others through a sound educational experience that includes preparation in:
       
  • The occupational therapy process
  • The impact of culture
  • Use of self as an agent of change
  • Ethical professional practice
  • Teaching and learning processes
  • Collaborating as a healthcare professional
  • Working in a variety of practice environments
  • Oral and written communication skills
       
Students can make formal application to the program when all pre-admission coursework is completed, or when pre-admission coursework completion will occur before the beginning of Semester I of the program. A minimum grade of "C" is required in each pre-admission and general education course. If more candidates apply than the program can accept, the best qualified will be admitted.
       
Wright's Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. (Address: AOTA Accreditation Dept., 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220; Phone: (301) 652-2682). Program participants are eligible for graduation from the Wright College OTA Program with an A.A.S. degree upon successful completion of all required academic courses and fieldwork. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Certification Exam for Occupational Therapy Assistants administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, an individual becomes a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Determination of exam eligibility for applicants who have a felony related charge or conviction requires individualized review by NBCOT, Inc. Most states require licensure in order to practice. Illinois license issuance is based upon the results of
the NBCOT Certification exam.  
       
Required courses before formal admission to the OTA Program.  
(these hours count towards the OTA degree)  
       
OTA 106 Foundations of Human Occupation 3
English 101 Composition 3
Psych 201 General Psychology 3
Psych 207 Child Psychology
(may substitute Child Dev. 101) 3
CIS 120 Introduction to Microcomputers 3
    Total Hours 15
       
Additional required courses (may be taken before or during the first year of the OTA program:
Bio 226 Human Structure and Function I* 4
Bio 227 Human Structure and Function II 4
Soc 201 Introduction to the Study of Society 3
       
Choose one from the following 3
Psych 222 Adult Development and Aging
or      
Soc Ser 102 Introduction to Gerontology
or      
Chld Dev 102 Human Growth and
    Development II
       
OTA sequence requirements  
First semester      
OTA 107 Occupations of Childhood 5
OTA 108 Practice Skills for the OTA I 2
       
Second Semester      
OTA 109 Occupations of Adolescence
    and Early Adulthood 5
OTA 110 Practice Skills for the OTA II 2
       
Third Semester      
OTA 209 Occupations of Middle Adulthood 5
OTA 210 Practice Skills for the OTA III 2
OTA 211 Special Topics for the OTA I **2/3
       
Fourth Semester      
OTA 212 Occupations of Later Adulthood 5
OTA 213 Practice Skills for the OTA IV 2
OTA 214 Special Topics for the OTA II **2/3
       
Summer Term***      
OTA 215 Fieldwork Level 2A /Professional Seminar 6
OTA 216 Fieldwork Level 2B /Professional Seminar 6

    Total Hours 73-75
       
* Biology 226 has a prerequisite of Biology 121.
**Students must complete a minimum of 6 cr. hrs. in OTA 211 and OTA 214.
***All academic coursework must be completed and an exit exam passed in order for students to proceed to the fieldwork component of the program.

 

 


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