Occupational Therapy Assistant
| ATTENTION STUDENTS: Admission Criteria |
Occupational Therapy is a profession that provides services to children and adults of all ages whose lives have been disrupted by physical injury or illness, developmental programs, the aging process and psychosocial dysfunction. Occupational Therapy Assistants use occupation to help others reach their maximum level of independence in daily activities and live their lives to the fullest.
- If you are a person who enjoys helping people help themselves...
- If you are a person who enjoys creative problem solving...
- If you are a person who enjoys working with your hands...
- If you are a good team player...
THEN ...Occupational Therapy may be the career choice for you!
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at SLCC offers a 2-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree enabling the graduate to work in settings like acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers/clinics, psychiatric hospitals, community living facilities, home health agencies, community mental health centers, school systems, and nursing home.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Video
An education at SLCC can provide the key to unlock the door of opportunity for you to use your talents and skills in providing meaningful occupation to those in need.
This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). ACOTE contact information: 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20814-3425, (3001) 652-2682 301) 652-7711 (Fax), (800) 3778555 (TTY) or www.acoteonline.org .
OTA Graduation Statistics
Students graduating from the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Salt Lake Community College wishing to practice occupational therapy in the state of Utah must comply with Utah licensure requirements. To view requirements, see the DOPL Occupational Therapy website.
Graduates at Salt Lake Community College have consistently demonstrated an excellent passing rate for the certification exam required by the state of Utah for licensure. This national examination is provided by the National Board for the Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Our program statistics for the past few years include:
Year | Number of Program Graduates | Number of first-time test takers | Number of first-time test takers who passed the exam | Percentage of first-time test takers who passed the exam |
| 2009 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 95% |
| 2010 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 100% |
| 2011 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 93% |
| Total 3-year | 49 | 48 | 46 | 96% |
For more information, please contact the OTA Program Coordinator.
Graduates will be prepared to take the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. After successful completion of the exam, the individual will be a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) and eligible for state licensure which is required to practice in Utah. Students with a history of a misdemeanor or felony involving moral turpitude may not be eligible for state licensure, to participate in service learning, fieldwork and should contact the program coordinator before enrolling in classes. Inability to participate in service learning opportunities embedded in the coursework may affect grades causing course failure.
Service Learning
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is fully "engaged" department on SLCC campus. This is a unique designation and means that through the activities of the program students become engaged in community service and service learning. Students learn about civic engagement, the importance of lifelong service and learning as well as the effect they have as future professionals on global issues.
To find out more about service learning on campus, please visit the Thayne Center.
The graduates comment that service learning provides a smoother transition from student to clinician and is a vital part of their education. It enabled them to learn about our community and the needs of the people who surround us every day in our workplaces, schools, businesses and homes.
For more information regarding service learning in the Occupational Therapy, please click here.