Occupational Therapy Assistant - Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)
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Degree Quick Facts
- Instructional School: Health
- Department: Health Professions
- Program Code: OTA.AAS
- Program Type: Career and Technical Education
- Available Fully Online: No
- Eligible for Federal Financial Aid: Yes
NOTE: Courses required for this program may have an additional fee; more information can be found on the Special Course Fees web page.
Degree Requirements
| Course | Course Title | Min Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Admission Requirements 1 | ||
| ENGL 101 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GEM 1) 2 | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GEM 6) 2 | 3 |
| Complete one of the following options prior to program entry: | 4-5 | |
| Option 1: | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I Plus | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I (GE Elective) 2 | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (GE Elective) 2 | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I (GE Elective) 2 | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (GE Elective) 2 | ||
| General Education Requirements | ||
| COMM 101 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication (GEM 2) 2 | 3 |
| GEM 3 - Mathematical Ways of Knowing course | 3 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| BIOL 228 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIOL 228L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| OTA 100 | Introduction to Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| OTA 130 | Professional Issues I | 2 |
| OTA 155 | Movement in Human Occupation | 3 |
| OTA 170 | Fieldwork Level I: Placement I | 1 |
| OTA 175 | Fieldwork Level I: Placement II | 1 |
| OTA 180 | Fieldwork Level I: Placement III | 1 |
| OTA 206 | Pediatric Occupational Therapy | 5 |
| OTA 210 | Psychosocial Interventions | 3 |
| OTA 210L | Therapeutic Activity Lab | 3 |
| OTA 215 | Adult Physical Dysfunction | 3 |
| OTA 215L | Adult Rehabilitation Lab | 3 |
| OTA 231 | Professional Issues II | 2 |
| OTA 235 | Geriatric Occupational Therapy | 2 |
| OTA 270 | Fieldwork Level II: Placement I | 6 |
| OTA 275 | Fieldwork Level II: Placement II | 6 |
| Minimum Credit Hours Required | 64-65 | |
- 1
These courses are required prior to program entry and are included in degree requirements and total credits.
- 2
This course is a prerequisite to program entry and fulfills a general education requirement for an Associate of Applied Science degree.
NOTE: All courses listed under Major Requirements must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
Degree Plan: Fall Start
The course sequence listed below is strongly recommended in order to complete your program requirements. Many Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses have prerequisites and/or corequisites that have been accounted for within this course sequence plan. Please register for each semester as shown using the Student Planning tool in myCWI. Consult your advisor for any questions regarding this course sequence plan.
| Course | Course Title | Min Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Admission Requirements 1 | ||
| ENGL 101 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GEM 1) | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology (GEM 6) | 3 |
| Complete one of the following options prior to program entry | 4-5 | |
| Option 1: | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I Plus | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I (GE Elective) | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (GE Elective) | ||
| Option 2: | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I (GE Elective) | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (GE Elective) | ||
| Minimum Credit Hours Required | 10-11 | |
- 1
These courses are prerequisites to program entry and can be completed anytime prior to beginning the OTA program. Prerequisite courses are included in the degree requirements and total credits required for graduation in this program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| BIOL 228 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 3 |
| BIOL 228L | Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab | 1 |
| OTA 100 | Introduction to Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| OTA 170 | Fieldwork Level I: Placement I | 1 |
| OTA 206 | Pediatric Occupational Therapy | 5 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| OTA 130 | Professional Issues I | 2 |
| OTA 155 | Movement in Human Occupation | 3 |
| OTA 175 | Fieldwork Level I: Placement II | 1 |
| OTA 210 | Psychosocial Interventions | 3 |
| OTA 210L | Therapeutic Activity Lab | 3 |
| GEM 3 - Mathematical Ways of Knowing course | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| COMM 101 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication (GEM 2) | 3 |
| OTA 180 | Fieldwork Level I: Placement III | 1 |
| OTA 215 | Adult Physical Dysfunction | 3 |
| OTA 215L | Adult Rehabilitation Lab | 3 |
| OTA 231 | Professional Issues II | 2 |
| OTA 235 | Geriatric Occupational Therapy | 2 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| OTA 270 | Fieldwork Level II: Placement I | 6 |
| OTA 275 | Fieldwork Level II: Placement II | 6 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Minimum Credit Hours Required | 54 | |
NOTE: All courses listed under Major Requirements must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate entry-level generalist competence with the application of theoretical perspectives in the development of evidence- and occupation-based assessments and interventions while working in collaboration with, and under the supervision of, a licensed occupational therapist (OT).
- Use sound problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as a solid understanding of disease process and the use of occupation in the prevention and management of disease and disability, to consistently select and implement safe and effective interventions that adhere to the established plan of care while under the direction of a licensed OT.
- Demonstrate effective interprofessional collaboration and distinguish between the role of the OT and the role of the occupational therapy assistant (OTA).
- Demonstrate competence with screening, assessment, and implementation of safe and effective occupation-based interventions within the OTA scope of practice and within the context of patient care.
- Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse human life and advocate for occupational therapy care that works to restore optimal human safety, independence, and dignity as it relates to varying contexts of the individual, group, and population.
- Demonstrate effective use of written and oral communication with patients, families, and other health care providers.
- Demonstrate the ability to clearly, accurately, and succinctly document OT services using appropriate medical terminology and a variety of electronic and non-electronic medical record platforms.
- Consistently demonstrate values, attitudes, and behaviors that strictly adhere to the profession’s philosophy and standards of ethical practice.
- Exhibit exemplary moral and ethical judgment in practice and uphold the confidentiality of all persons at all times.
- Demonstrate habits of a life-long learner and continually pursue ongoing professional development opportunities in order to stay current with practice trends and best evidence within the occupational therapy profession.
- Maintain active involvement in local, state, and national organizations and take an active role in advocacy and education among professional peers, patients, and referral sources about the field of occupational therapy.