The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program is an introduction to the delivery of occupational therapy care. Student learns to assist Occupational Therapists in data gathering, treatment planning and implementation within the theoretical framework of occupational behavior/performance.
They assist in providing health maintenance services to decrease effects of physical/mental disabilities and promote physical fitness/wellness of patients. The instructional design of this program’s courses is group-lock step. The OTA program is a consolidated program with two military services that has a two phase, field of study schedule. Resident training is first conducted at the METC and then the student transitions to clinical training that is conducted at military and/or civilian medical treatment facilities (MTF).
Upon initial entry to METC, students are provided formal education and training that develops them into entry-level Occupational Therapy Specialists/Assistants within fixed and deployable medical facilities.
Students will learn the occupational therapy mission and scope of practice by training on the general knowledge of physical and behavioral sciences; a working knowledge of the principles, concepts, and skills utilized to assist the occupational therapist in the implementation of remedial health maintenance and prevention programs for psychiatric as well as physical disability patients. Major areas of instruction are: fundamentals of practice, psychology, human anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, orthopedics, rehabilitation, occupational therapy treatment medias, clinical reasoning, fieldwork experience 1 (level 1 observation) and fieldwork experience (level 2 practical experience).
Methods of instruction include, but are not limited to: lecture, demonstration, online materials, simulations, laboratory practice, and practical exercises. Quality control and safety techniques are emphasized throughout the program.
Clinical training provides students with clinical knowledge and hands-on experiential training which consists of clinical practicum in a MTF. The program prepares the student to exercise judgment and accept responsibility in performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the care of patients. Training consists of a continuation of written and oral assignments as well as application (hands-on) of skills learned in Phase I.
The specific nature of this program is to prepare Occupational Therapy Specialist/Assistant students to practice as entry-level Occupational Therapy Specialists/Assistants. Training will include, but is not limited to: hospital inpatient/outpatient occupational therapy treatments, assisting skilled nursing staff in an inpatient rehabilitation physical therapy facility setting, orthopedic/hand therapy, and mental/behavioral health rehabilitation settings while utilizing Occupational Therapy Department facilities at MTFs.
Proficiency advancement in clinical applications is determined by the program director and clinical advisor/coordinator on a case-by-case basis.
Special Information:
The OTA program has an affiliation agreement with the Uniformed Services University, College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS). Once students have successfully completed all pre-requisite general education college coursework, phase I didactic, and level I and level II fieldwork experience, they are awarded an Associate of Science in Health Sciences degree in occupational therapy from the CAHS.
Prospective students must complete the following pre-requisite general college coursework with a “C” or better: English composition I (3SH), English composition II (3SH), college algebra or higher (3SH), humanities (3SH), and a social science such as psychology or sociology (3SH).
Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the national certification exam and qualify for the designation, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Accreditation or Related Information:
Army Graduates of this course receive 46 semester hours of credit from the College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS). Navy Graduates of this course receive 45 semester hours of credit from the College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS). The associate-degree-level occupational therapy assistant course is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
ACOTE Contact Information:
AOTA Accreditation Department
7501 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814-6519
Phone: (301) 652-AOTA
E-mail: www.acoteonline.org
Graduates from this course receive college credits and an associate degree from the College of Allied Health Sciences.
Credentialing Information:
“Graduates of the course 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 graduate will be a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.”
| Graduation Year |
Graduates |
Graduation Rate |
Certification Exam Pass Rate |
| 2021 |
16 |
80% |
100% |
| 2022 |
17 |
74% |
63% |
| 2023 |
18 |
82% |
100% |
| |
Total =51 |
Average=79% |
Average=88% |