Overview
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program provides a basic knowledge of: OTA fundamentals; anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology; clinical evaluation; treatment interventions; and clinical reasoning. Training objectives are achieved through lecture, group activities, demonstration, hands-on instruction, clinical observation, clinical experience, and computer-based or blended learning options. Performance evaluations and computerized tests are used to assess students’ knowledge and skills development. Phase I training consists of 18 weeks, two days of training for Army; and 17 weeks, two days of training for Navy, conducted at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This training prepares students to become entry level OTAs who will assist occupational therapists to provide health related services to military beneficiaries. The didactic training is conducted primarily in classrooms and laboratories; however, opportunities are provided for students to observe OTA service delivery in local clinical settings. Army students attend Phase II clinical training for an additional 16 weeks at a military medical treatment facility in the Military Health System. Navy students attend Phase II clinical training for an additional 16 weeks with San Antonio-area military and civilian healthcare facilities.
Accreditation or Related Information: The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
ACOTE Contact Information:
AOTA Accreditation Department
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200
North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
Phone: 301-652-6611 x 2914
E-mail: www.acoteonline.org
Credentialing Information:
Graduates of the OTA program are eligible to sit for the national 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).
This program holds specialized programmatic accreditation that is maintained through the Medical Education Training Campus (METC).
Army Requirements
Program Requirements
| OTA 2209 | Occupational Therapy Assistant Fieldwork | 2 |
| OTA 2305 | Client Conditions | 3 |
| OTA 2402 | Human Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology | 4 |
| OTA 2403 | Client Evaluations and Assessment | 4 |
| OTA 2604 | Clinical Interventions | 6 |
| OTA 2408 | Clinical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | 4 |
| OTA 1201 | Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy | 2 |
| OTA 2991 | Occupational Therapy Assistant Clinical Practicum I | 10 |
| OTA 2992 | Occupational Therapy Assistant Clinical Practicum II | 10 |
| OTA 2100 | Situational Training Exercise | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 46 |
Navy Requirements
Program Requirements
| OTA 1201 | Fundamentals of Occupational Therapy | 2 |
| OTA 2209 | Occupational Therapy Assistant Fieldwork | 2 |
| OTA 2305 | Client Conditions | 3 |
| OTA 2402 | Human Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology | 4 |
| OTA 2403 | Client Evaluations and Assessment | 4 |
| OTA 2604 | Clinical Interventions | 6 |
| OTA 2408 | Clinical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | 4 |
| OTA 2991 | Occupational Therapy Assistant Clinical Practicum I | 10 |
| OTA 2992 | Occupational Therapy Assistant Clinical Practicum II | 10 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 45 |