Upon completion of the occupational therapy assistant program, the associate degree graduate will be educationally prepared to provide service to individuals having difficulties in living due to developmental deficits, physical injury and illness, psychological and social disabilities, and the aging process. The occupational therapy assistant works with, and under the direction of, a registered occupational therapist, and assists with the processes of client evaluation, goal setting, implementation of care, and documentation of occupational therapy services. The coursework includes a series of general education courses with an emphasis on the biological and psychological sciences. Professional studies focus on how human occupational development is affected by illness and injury, and how function can be facilitated.
 

• BIO 2510: Anatomy and Physiology I and BIO 2520: Anatomy and Physiology II must be completed with a minimum grade of “C" prior to Level II fieldwork rotations.
• OTA courses are offered only on the Jamestown Campus. All other required courses are scheduled so they may be taken at either the Jamestown or Cattaraugus County campuses.
• CPR certification through the American Red Cross (CPR for the Professional Rescuer) or the American Heart Association (Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers) is required prior to registering for OTA 2700 or OTA 2720. All students must successfully pass each OTA and general education course with a minimum grade of “C" and a QPA of 2.5 or better to enroll in OTA 2700 and OTA 2720.
• All students will take OTA 1700 either concurrently with OTA 1610 and OTA 2610 or during the summer following completion of OTA 1610 and OTA 2610.
• The four-semester sequence of OTA courses begins each fall semester.
• A minimum grade of C is required in each OTA course. A student will be permitted to repeat two OTA core courses one time. Should the student be unsuccessful in repeating any OTA course, he/she would be ineligible to continue in the OTA program. Should a student be required to repeat more than two OTA core courses he/she will be ineligible to continue in the OTA program.