How do people occupy their time? Whether it is a child learning through play, a teen going to school, an adult being successful at school, work and at home, or a grandparent holding their grandchild, occupational therapy (OT) helps to enable people to be independent in the everyday activities that are important to them.
OT works on activities of daily living, like teaching a person who has had a stroke to dress themselves or make a meal, to developmental skills, like crawling and handwriting in children, to adapted driving and computer skills following a spinal cord injury, for example.
Additional steps are required for acceptance into this program beyond the standard MCC admissions application. This is a four-semester program that begins in August and accepts approximately 20 students per year.
Complete an online application (All students on a visa, DACA or undocumented must fill out an international application)
If you have a disability, see Disability Support Services (DSS)
Send official college and university transcripts to the Metropolitan Community College, Data Center
Request to have all official College and University Transcripts sent to the Metropolitan Community College Data Center.
If classes were completed at MCC, an MCC transcript is not required.
All students who have not taken placement tests in the past 3 years will be required to take the placement tests to establish reading level.
Even students with a degree will need to take the reading placement test prior to application to the program.
Do I need to take my pre-requisites at MCC?
Prerequisites may be taken at other institutions, however students will need to submit their transcripts for determinations.
The following courses must be completed prior to applying to the program:
Anatomy and Physiology and Introduction to Occupational Therapy must have been taken within the last five years to be accepted
Completion of all required general education prior to starting in the OTA program would help to "lighten" the student's load, and is recommended.
Completion of the anatomy and physiology requirement prior to application to the program is strongly recommended.
Can I take prerequisites in the summer and still apply for the coming Fall?
Students may take prerequisites in the summer while applying for the OTA program; admission into the program is contingent on passing the prerequisite class with a "C" grade or better.
Download the information packet (PDF) and application (PDF) and follow the directions carefully.
Be sure to note all of the program requirements. This document contains all information regarding the program including prerequisites and other requirements for application.
What is the timeline for applying and notification?
What is the interview process like?
Interviews will occur on campus with the OTA program faculty, as feasible based on the health and safety protocols in place at the college at the time of interviews. Should face-to-face interviews not be possible, interviews will take place over Zoom.
The interviews will be scheduled with prospective students during one week in July via email/phone call.
Students are expected to arrive early or on-time and may be required to complete a writing sample as a part of the interview process.
Within two weeks of the application deadline you will receive an email to inform you of your status. You will also be contacted via email or phone to schedule an interview.
Program acceptance
Students accepted into the program will be expected to attend an orientation session in July.
Students not accepted into the program should contact the Student Advising Department or MCC's Health Science Institute healthcare@mcckc.edu to determine next steps.
Previous OT coursework
Students who apply to the program with previous OT coursework, whether from an OTA or OT school will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Transcripts will be audited by the Student Data Center. Students may be expected to take all OTHA courses in sequence beginning with semester one offerings. Work experience cannot replace OTA program course content requirements.
In order to receive an A.A.S. degree in Occupational Therapy the student must complete all courses with a grade of “C” or better in each course required for the degree and must successfully pass all laboratory checkouts as outlined in each course syllabus.
Additionally, students are expected to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 in the program. Progression through coursework is outlined in the curriculum sequence noted in the Information Packet with no opportunity to complete OTA courses in a variation of the sequence.
Students failing to meet these requirements will be required to reapply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program, and if accepted, retake all OTHA courses in sequence beginning with semester 1 offerings.
The occupational therapy assistant program is accredited 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. PH: 301.652.AOTA.
An occupational therapy assistant works under the direction of an occupational therapist (OT) to use meaningful activity to work in hospitals, school districts, clinics and community-based organizations to help people stay healthy.
According to the O-Net online, average annual wages for occupational therapy assistants is $61,610.
Visit Occupational Information Network (O*NET) to view salary information, employment outlook and personal characteristics needed for this career.
As a graduate, you'll be eligible to take the national certification exam, administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
You should know that you will not be able to obtain a license to practice or be allowed to participate in clinicals should you have an unacceptable background as defined by state law regarding health care providers. An unacceptable background includes a felony and/or class "A" misdemeanor conviction.
Prospective students may contact the NBCOT for an early determination review at professional.conduct@nbcot.org or for the code of conduct.
Students are required to have regular access to computer technology with up-to-date software, reliable broadband connection to the internet and the ability to install software that may be required for the course. Technical skills required for online courses include:
Fifty-seven students graduated from the OTA program between 2019 and 2022 resulting in a graduation rate of 71.25%. The switch to virtual learning during the pandemic impacted student retention.
Graduation year | Students entering/graduating | Graduation rate |
---|---|---|
2023 | 15/10 | 67% |
2022 | 20/9 | 45% |
2021 | 20/16 | 80% |
2020 | 20/16 | 80% |
2019 | 20/16 | 80% |
Total 2019-2022 | 80/57 | 71.25% |
Graduation year | Students taking the NBCOT/passing the NBCOT | Pass rate |
---|---|---|
2023 | 9/9 | 100% |
2022 | 9/9 | 100% |
2021 | 15/15 | 100% |
2020 | 16/16 | 100% |
2019 | 15/16 | 92% |
Note - due to the Covid-19 pandemic table reflects the year of graduation, not date of certification exam
Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can also be found online at NBCOT.
Tuition | OTA A.A.S. 74 credit hours |
---|---|
In-district $121/credit hour |
$8,954 |
Out-of-district/Metro $237/credit hour |
$16,538 |
Out-of-state/International $320/credit hour |
$23,680 |
Program Fees* | TBD |
Textbooks/materials | $1,200+ |
Clinical management (Background check, drug screen, documentation review) | $145 |
Immunizations and physical exam | Cost will vary |
*Approximate - subject to change
Total approximate cost of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program (In-district): A.A.S. - $10,300
Approximate cost for OTHA course per semester - $2,575
OTA students responsible for housing and transportation costs while at MCC. Students responsible for transportation to and from school and clinical sites.
Refer to this link to find out more about MCC's payment plan.
Once admitted to the program the OTA coursework is completed within two years (four semesters)
Students applying with previous degrees awarded still take the OTA coursework as outlined in the curriculum checklist. The program is two years in duration regardless of previous general education coursework
The program is full-time with classes meeting during the day most days of the week, excluding weekends. The schedule changes each semester; however, classes generally start at 9 a.m. and end by 4 p.m.. Fieldwork each semester is based on the working schedule of the fieldwork educator.
Students have the summer between year one and two to complete any outstanding general education coursework that is required.
There are two courses in the OTA program offered via distance-education.
Yes, students who are not accepted may reapply for the program.
Apply to MCC today!