• Occupational Therapy Assistant - OCCUP/ASST.AAS

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Program Coordinator Debbie Witsken

The purpose of occupational therapy is to help individuals develop, restore, or maintain the skills needed to participate in meaningful everyday activities throughout their lives. Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) provide services to people affected by physical illness, psychosocial or mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, and aging. Through occupational therapy interventions, clients work toward their highest possible level of independence in areas such as self-care, home management, work, school, and leisure.

OTAs implement treatment plans under the guidance and supervision of an Occupational Therapist (OT). They provide a wide range of therapeutic interventions, including activities of daily living training, home and environmental modifications, safety education, wheelchair positioning, sensory-based interventions, life skills instruction for individuals with mental health needs, energy management strategies, cognitive retraining, neuromuscular facilitation, chronic disease management, and health and wellness promotion. OTAs also document client progress, assist with discharge planning, maintain clinical equipment, and may supervise OT aides.

At the completion of the OTA Program, graduates will demonstrate a Foundation as a Generalist OTA:

• Demonstrate Foundational Knowledge: Graduates will explain and summarize foundational knowledge of occupational therapy, including its principles, models of practice, and frames of reference, as the basis for practice.
• Integrate Evidence-Informed Practice: Graduates will integrate credible resources, evidence-informed decision-making, and established models of practice to guide occupational therapy interventions that align with client goals and contexts.
• Integrate Occupation as a Means and an End: Graduates will design, implement, and evaluate occupation-based interventions that promote engagement, participation, and overall well-being for diverse individuals, groups, or populations.
• Support Diverse Populations: Graduates will implement occupational therapy interventions to meet the unique needs of diverse individuals, groups, and populations, considering cultural, contextual, and social determinants of health.
• Communicate Effectively in Practice: Graduates will utilize effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills to engage with clients, caregivers, and interprofessional teams in a responsive and professional manner.

At the completion of the OTA Program, graduates will demonstrate Personal and Professional Development:

• Develop Ethical and Professional Behavior: Graduates will explain and demonstrate ethical standards, professional behavior, and collaborative skills when working with clients, caregivers, and interprofessional teams.
• Reflect and Learn from Practice: Graduates will reflect on and refine their clinical and professional skills by seeking feedback, engaging in lifelong learning, and adapting to new challenges in occupational therapy practice.

Skills and Abilities: Students entering the OTA Program must be able to meet the essential technical functions required for safe and effective participation in academic and clinical experiences. These include adequate vision and hearing, functional motor skills and physical stamina, clear verbal and written communication, and the cognitive abilities needed for critical thinking, problem-solving, and accurate documentation. Students must also demonstrate emotional stability, professional behavior, and strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with clients, families, and healthcare teams. These abilities, with or without reasonable accommodations, ensure students can meet program expectations and perform safely in clinical settings. Each applicant is responsible for assessing his or her ability to meet these technical functions prior to entering the program.

Accreditation: The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Lewis and Clark Community College (L&C) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). ACOTE is located at: 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814.

ACOTE can be contacted by:

Phone: (301) 652-6611

Email: accred@aota.org

Website: www.acoteonline.org

ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. NBCOT may refuse certification and state regulatory boards may refuse licensure to applicants who have a felony conviction.

Graduates of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for occupational therapy assistants administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Upon successful completion of this examination, individuals earn the credential of Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). State licensure is required to practice as an OTA. Graduates seeking employment in Illinois (IL Department of Financial and Professional Regulation) or other states must meet all licensure requirements after passing the NBCOT examination. NBCOT and state licensing boards may deny certification or licensure to individuals whose background includes circumstances that could jeopardize public safety, including certain felony convictions.

For access to NBCOT examination comparison pass rates from schools across the country, including L&C OTA students, visit www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance.

 

Application Deadlines and Review Process

The primary application deadline for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program is June 1 (or the following Monday when June 1 falls on a weekend). A new program cycle begins each spring semester. Applications received by the June 1 deadline are considered in the first round of review. If seats remain available, additional application reviews may occur in early fall and at the end of the fall semester. To be eligible for review, all required application materials must be submitted by the applicable deadline. Because the number of qualified applicants may exceed the number of available positions in each cohort, admission to the OTA Program is selective. Completed applications are reviewed by the admissions committee using a numerical ranking system based on established admission criteria.

To Be Considered for Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program, Applicants Must Complete the Following:

Information can also be found at: www.lc.edu/academic-programs/degrees-certificates/occupational-therapy-assistant.html.

This checklist is designed to assist students with the application process for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program. Interested students are encouraged to meet with the OTA Program Coordinator to review application requirements and timelines. Completion of the application does not guarantee admission to the program.

Initial Application Steps 

• Apply to Lewis and Clark Community College and declare Pre-OTA as your program of study
• Schedule an appointment with the OTA Program Coordinator (email Debbie Witsken at: dwitsken@lc.edu) 

Complete Additional Application Requirements  

All application materials below must be submitted by June 1 to be considered in the first round of review. 

• Complete and submit Applicant Essay Questions 

• Complete eight (8) hours of clinical observation and submit the Clinical Observation Verification and Evaluation Form

• Submit two (2) Professional Recommendation Forms 

• Meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 2.75 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). GPA is calculated based on coursework completed within the last five years. Additional GPA guidelines apply for students with fewer than 12 recent college credit hours. 

• Request official transcripts from all non-Lewis and Clark Community College institutions (including high school or GED, if not already on file) and submit an unofficial copy to the OTA Program. 

NOTE: To receive transfer credit for courses that include a laboratory component, the laboratory portion must have been completed through in-person, hands-on instruction at the originating institution. Online, simulated, or virtual laboratory experiences are not accepted for transfer credit toward degree requirements. Students are encouraged to work with L&C academic advisors regarding transferability of specific general education and science courses.

Meet Academic Requirements Prior To Program Start 

The prerequisite courses listed below must be completed by the end of the fall semester prior to beginning the OTA Program. These courses are not required at the time of application, but must be successfully completed  before program entry.

• Qualify for ENGL 131 - First-Year English I  by appropriate L&C placement test score (through the Assessment and Testing Center) or have completed one semester of college level English. 

• Qualify for MATH 116 - Intermediate Algebra  by appropriate L&C placement test score (through the Assessment and Testing Center) or standardized test score or completion of MATH 112 - Elementary Algebra  with a grade of C or better.  

• Complete the following courses with a grade of C or better: SOCI 131 - Introduction to Sociology  ; PSYC 131 - General Psychology  ; and BIOL 132 - Human Biology . 

Prove Residency 

Prove residency in Lewis and Clark Community College District No. 536, Southwestern Illinois College District No. 522, or East St. Louis Community College Center thirty days before beginning the OTA Program. Students who are residents in other community college districts, who have a CAREER agreement with L&C, may be eligible to apply if there is not an OTA program in the student’s home district.  

Admission Point System

Maximum points possible are designed as follows:

Area	Points
Grade point average (GPA) (total points awarded based on GPA earned over last 5 years)	50
Meeting with OTA Program Coordinator for advising session prior to application deadline	5
Completion of pre-requisite and general education courses*	9
Being a full-time student and maintaining 2.75 GPA over last year	5
Clinical Observation and Verification Form	6
Two Professional Recommendation forms	10
Applicant Essay Questions	15
Total Points	100

                     *Pre-requisites - BIOL 132 , PSYC 131 , SOCI 131  . General education courses - BIOL 141 , BIOL 142 , ENGL 131 , PSYC 232 , SPCH 131  or SPCH 145 , Humanities Elective

Application Ranking and Provisional Acceptance

Applicants who have met all application requirements will be ranked based on a point system, with a maximum of 100 points possible. Admission offers are extended to applicants who earn at least the minimum required number of points, provided seats are available.

Up to 24 applicants meeting the minimum point threshold will be offered provisional acceptance to the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program. Provisional acceptance indicates that the applicant has met initial admission criteria but must still complete additional requirements prior to program entry.

To receive full acceptance, provisionally accepted students must complete the remaining requirements outlined on the following page before the start of the spring semester. Specific deadlines will be communicated during OTA Program Orientation.

If all program seats are not filled during the initial admission cycle, additional offers may be extended to qualified applicants from subsequent review cycles, as seats remain available, up until the program start date.

Requirements for Full Acceptance into the OTA Program

Applicants who are offered provisional acceptance must complete the following requirements before beginning the OTA Program:

• Complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher;

  • BIOL 132 Human Biology  
  • PSYC 131 General Psychology  
  • SOCI 131 Introduction to Sociology  

• Be eligible for MATH 116 - Intermediate Algebra  , which may be demonstrated by:

  • Earning a grade of C or higher in MATH 112 , or
  • Placement testing, or
  • Approved standardized test scores or high school math courses completed

• Be eligible for ENGL 131 - First-Year English I  

• Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, calculated using coursework completed within the past five years. If fewer than 12 college-level credit hours have been completed within the past five years, additional GPA guidelines will apply based on prior academic history.

• Attend OTA Program New Student Orientation

• Review and sign all required OTA Program release forms

Health and Compliance Requirements for OTA Program Participation

To participate in OTA Program learning activities, including on-campus labs, off-campus experiences, and clinical-related coursework during the first year of the OTA Program, students must complete the following health and medical requirements no later than the end of January.

Compliance with all required health and medical items will be verified through the College’s designated third-party screening system, Viewpoint. Within Viewpoint, students will have access to detailed instructions and specific guidelines for each required item. Students should not begin this process until directed to do so by the OTA Program Coordinator.

Self-Pay:

• Viewpoint Account
• Satisfactory Physical Exam (LC Healthcare Form)
• Proof of immunizations
  • MMR - must have 2 doses
  • Td/Tdap - within last 10 years
  • Varicella (chicken pox) - must have 2 doses
  • Proof of a negative TB skin test (2-step required) or chest x-ray
  • HEP B release or verification of 3 doses of HEP B vaccine

Paid by Course Fees: 

• Background check
• Drug screen
• CPR certification for Basic Life Support for Infants through Adults (CPR and AED)
• Student Membership to American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
• Student Membership to Illinois Occupational Therapy Association (ILOTA)

Additional Requirements:

• Proof of health insurance
• COVID vaccination OR exemption (personal statement, medical, or religious exemption)
• Payment of OTA Club Activity Fee ($30- self pay)

All required general education coursework must be completed prior to the start of the second semester of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program for full-time students. The only exception is the Humanities elective, which may be completed at any time prior to program completion.

Program Enrollment Options

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program is offered in both full-time and part-time enrollment options. While all students must meet the same academic, technical, and clinical requirements for graduation, the sequence and duration of coursework differ by enrollment option.

Feature	Full-Time Enrollment	Part-Time Enrollment*
Best suited for	Students able to commit to a structured, rigorous course sequence	Students who will be more successful with a reduced course load
Program length	Approximately 2 years (4 semesters and 2 summer terms)	Approximately 3 years (6 semesters and 2 summer terms)
Course sequence	Follows a required, consecutive course sequence	Follows the same required course sequence over an extended timeline
On-Campus commitment	3-4 days per week depending on semester	Follows the same required course sequence over an extended timeline
General education coursework	Must be completed prior to the start of the second semester, except for the Humanities elective	Sequencing of general education coursework reviewed individually
Advising requirement	Standard program advising	Required meeting with the OTA Program Coordinator to review sequencing and progression

*Enrollment in the part-time option is limited to no more than six (6) students per cohort. In some cases, students who are unsuccessful in a course may be required to transition to the part-time enrollment option based on program progression policies.

Program Completion Requirements

To successfully complete the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program, students must meet the following requirements:

Enrollment and Progression

• Register for all required OCTA courses each semester as outlined in the OTA Program curriculum.
• Successfully complete all coursework each semester, including OCTA and required general education courses, with a grade of C or higher to progress to the next semester.

Time to Completion

• Complete the didactic (academic) portion of the OTA Program within three (3) years of initiating OTA coursework.
• Successfully complete the supervised clinical education (Fieldwork) component within eighteen (18) months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for graduation with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant, a student must meet the following requirements:

• Earn a grade of C or higher in all required coursework, including:
  • All Occupational Therapy Assistant program courses (OCTA prefix)
  • All required general education courses for the degree
• Satisfy all additional requirements for the Associate of Applied Science degree as specified by Lewis and Clark Community College (see below for detailed degree requirements)
• Submit an application for graduation by the published deadline

Drug and Substance Use

Lewis and Clark Community College adheres to the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, which requires college campuses to be drug and alcohol free. In accordance with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, the use, possession, maintenance, distribution and/or sale of alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, controlled substances or unauthorized prescription drugs while on College property, in College-owned vehicles or while participating in any College activity is strictly prohibited. 

In addition, the L&C Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program partners with external agencies to provide learning and/or fieldwork experiences for OTA students. These agencies require that all OTA program students undergo a drug test as a condition upon placement in a learning and/or fieldwork experience. A negative result is required for an OTA student to participate in a learning and/or fieldwork experience. Some clinical agencies also require random drug testing throughout a student’s experience and require a negative result for the student to continue his/her participation in the learning and/or fieldwork experience. 

Substances prohibited by the clinical agencies include, but are not limited to: amphetamines, methamphetamines, cocaine, cannabis, opiates, heroin, PCP, and alcohol. A student who tests positive for any of these substances, or who refuses to undergo the required drug test, is subject to disqualification for participation in the learning and/or fieldwork experience, which will result in the student not receiving his/her OTA degree due to a failure to meet the learning and/or fieldwork component of the L&C OTA Program.

Occupational Therapy Assistant - OCCUP/ASST.AAS

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Associate in Applied Science Degree