Occupational Therapy Assistant

Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell
1 (575) 624-7266

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

1 (575) 624-7266

Fall 2024 OTA Program Deadlines

Early Deadline – Monday, March 11, 2024
Final Deadline – Monday, May 13, 2024

 
Application
OTA Brochure

About the OTA Program

At ENMU-Roswell, students can pursue an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Associate of Applied Science degree and learn to work in this rewarding and dynamic healthcare field. Occupational therapy practitioners help people whose lives have been affected by physical or mental illness or injury, such as a car accident or a stroke. Clients who benefit from occupational therapy include infants and children, working-age adults, and older persons whose condition affects their ability to engage in everyday activities or ‘occupations.’ Examples range from personal activities to life skills like bathing, dressing, and eating to more complicated tasks like using a phone or computer, driving a car, writing a check, or returning to work and school. The occupational therapist (OTR) evaluates the client, plans therapeutic interventions, completes discharge documents, and provides clinical supervision of the occupational therapy assistant. The OTA implements and documents the therapeutic interventions and provides feedback to the OTR on the client’s progress during treatment.
Occupational Therapy Assistant OTA Program
The number of student enrollment in OTA core courses at all levels is limited. Occupational Therapy Assistant Program students who want to progress into the Occupational Therapy Assistant Core Courses should be aware that the program consists of a two-year program of study following completion of the first year courses (which may take one year or more to complete). The first year courses consist of selected academic courses in preparation for progression in the OTA program.

Beginning with the cohort entering the OTA program in the Spring Semester of 2020, students will attend an online distance learning course per semester. The instructor will originate asynchronous instruction online. Onsite personnel is present for the online course(s) to assist with technical issues.

Following completion of the two year coursework, students will spend 16 weeks in clinical affiliation (OT 260 and OT 262) to gain skills in the practice of occupational therapy.  THESE EXPERIENCES ARE MANDATORY AND WILL REQUIRE OUT OF TOWN TRAVEL AND HOUSING EXPENSES.

Certification

Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national certification exam administered by the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

Certification allows the graduate to apply for licensure in states that have licensure laws.  Licenses required by states are usually based on results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or to attain state licensure. Information on the guidelines for felony convictions can be found under Publications “disciplinary actions” at www.NBCOT.org and Rules and Law “disciplinary proceedings” at New Mexico Board of Occupational Therapy.

Program Performance

Graduation Year 2019 Cohort New Students Entering OTA Students Number of Graduates From 2019 Graduation Rate Retention Rate
2021* 20 19 86.90% 95%
Graduation Year 2020 Cohort New Students Entering OTA Students Number of Graduates From 2020 Graduation Rate Retention Rate
2022 24 15 83.30% 62.50%
Graduation Year 2021 Cohort New Students Entering OTA Students Number of Graduates From 2021 Graduation Rate Retention Rate
2023 20 14 82.30% 70%
3 YR Total 64 48 84.16% 75.83%
2021*
2019 Cohort New Students Entering OTA Students 20
Number of Graduates From 2019 Cohort 19
Graduation Rate 86.90%
Retention Rate 95%

*2021 Impacted by COVID-19


2022
2020 Cohort New Students Entering OTA Students 24
Number of Graduates From 2020 Cohort 15
Graduation Rate 83.30%
Retention Rate 62.50%

2023
2021 Cohort New Students Entering OTA Students 20
Number of Graduates From 2021 Cohort 14
Graduation Rate 82.30%
Retention Rate 70%

Three Year Totals
New Students Entering OTA Students 64
Number of Graduates 48
Graduation Rate 84.16%
Retention Rate 75.83%
*The 2021 graduation year was impacted by COVID-19

The total number of graduates from the ENMU-Roswell Occupational Therapy Assistant program during the three years of 2021, 2022, and 2023 is 48, with an overall graduation rate of 84.16% and a retention rate of 75.83%. Graduate performance results for all OTA Programs are published by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT): School Performance Data.

Accreditation

The ENMU-Roswell Occupational Therapy Assistant program is in Continuing Accreditation-Probationary status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA. https://www.acoteonline.org/

* Please note that the OTA Program was placed on Continuing Accreditation-Probationary effective April 2, 2022

Program Learning Outcomes

Occupational Therapy Assistant A. A. S.

In addition to supporting institutional learning outcomes and building upon the foundational general education outcomes, upon completion of this program students will be able to: 

  • Assist in an individualized client evaluation, during which the person’s goals are determined by the client/family and occupational therapist.
  • Implement therapeutic activities and intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals.
  • Assist in an outcome evaluation/assessment of client progress to ensure that goals are being met and/or make changes to the plan.
  • Collaborate with the OT in implementing evidence-based treatment programs, training patients in therapeutic exercises and activities of daily living, and providing documentation to the OT about the client’s responses to and communications during intervention and documentation related to outcome achievement.