What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapists assess clients with physical and mental challenges in order to develop activities of daily living (ADL) that work best for those clients. For a client with a physical disability, the first focus is on performing critical daily routines, such as dressing, grooming, bathing, and eating. Once these skills are mastered, a program is then built around the skills needed to perform tasks such as participating in education, caring for a home and family, or seeking and maintaining employment.

For a client with mental illness, the goals are also based on the ability to function independently. In treating mental or emotional challenges, the occupational therapy program focuses on areas such as managing time, working productively with others, and enjoying leisure.

 

Occupational Therapy Practitioners work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, schools, long-term care facilities, mental health centers, rehabilitation facilities, private homes and more. Delivery of occupational therapy services involves several levels of personnel including the occupational therapist, the occupational therapy assistant and aides.

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A Student's Perspective

 

Sara Novasky 
OTA Graduate & Patient Advocate
"I stand up for people."

 

 

Program Description

Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) work under the direct supervision of a Occupational Therapist (OTs) to provide all levels of patient treatment to people who are limited by physical injury or illness, mental health problems, developmental or learning disabilities, or the aging process.

OTAs assist OTs in assessing patient needs, determining therapeutic goals, planning and implementing treatment activities, communicating with patients and health care providers and documenting patient progress. They utilize purposeful activities, manual and creative arts to help patients achieve their highest level of function. OTAs are employed in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, schools, day treatment centers, outpatient clinics and other community agencies.

 

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Occupational Therapy Degree Assistant Degree

Associate in Science

The Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) at Grossmont College is a two-year accredited program that prepares students to work as licensed Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs). Students graduating from this program are qualified to take national board examinations through the National Board of Certification for Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). OTAs are professionals who help people with physical, cognitive, developmental, or emotional challenges engage in meaningful daily activities under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist. The curriculum combines core OTA coursework and clinical practicum experiences. OTAs work in diverse settings such as hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, and community agencies, helping clients improve independence and quality of life.

 

 

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Program Prerequisites

Must be completed with a grade of C or better

Course	Class Title / Info	Units
BIO 140/141 or BIO 144/145	Anatomy (With Lab), Physiology (Lab optional) OR Anatomy and Physiology	7 or 8
FS 120 or CD 125 or CD 131 or ETHN 125 or PSYC – C1000 or PSY 125 or PSY 150	Choose 1 of the courses listed	3
Total Credits		10/11

 

 

 

Accreditation

Grossmont College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and is a member of the California Community College Association.

 

Appropriate courses are fully accepted on transfer by the University of California, the California State University and by private four-year colleges and universities.

428 J Street, Suite 400 I Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (415) 506-0234 | Email: Contact ACCJC

 

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Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) 

The Occupational Therapy/Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Grossmont College is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA),  

 

ACOTE:  

7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E  
Bethesda, MD 20814.  

 

ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-6611

For more information, visit the ACOTE website.

 

 

 

 

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Certification and Licensure

Accreditation allows graduates who have completed the Associate Degree program to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Those who pass the exam earn the title Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.  

 

Students in default of a student loan may be ineligible to obtain a license to practice occupational therapy.  Be sure to check with the state licensing board in the state youwish to practice prior to applying to the OTA Program.

 

Individuals considering entering or currently enrolled in the OTA Program at Grossmont College who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime are urged to contact NBCOT at (301) 990-7979 for advisement and planning prior to continuing in the program. Persons on probation are not eligible to apply or be accepted into the OTA Program.  Failure to pass either or both the background check or drug screening procedures will interfere with clinical placements and may influence eligibility for licensure and/or NBCOT testing and/or employment.  Applicants with any issues that may flag the background check and/or drug screening should contact the Dean of Allied Health and Nursing for confidential advisement and planning prior to applying to the program. 

 

Note: Even if you have passed a prior background check, LiveScan may reveal additional or expunged items. This can impact employment, even after meeting program clinical, NBCOT, and CBOT requirements.

 

 

 

Career Opportunities

Students today can look forward to dynamic careers working in multiple settings with people of all ages.

 

One of the greatest advantages of a career as an occupational therapy assistant is the wide variety of opportunities available to graduates.

 

Occupational therapy assistants work with children in schools, community based programs, and clinics.  OTAs also work with individuals in their homes, community centers, rehabilitation hospitals, and nursing homes. In these settings, they help people with traumatic injuries, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, or mental health problems learn to live productive lives through the use of meaningful occupations.

If you are looking for a challenging career and have a desire to learn, achieve, and give your best to society, a career as an occupational therapy assistant is for you!"

 

 

 

National Testing Results

School Performance Data

 

To view school pass rates:

 

1. Visit the NBCOT School Performance page
2. Select California
3. Select OTA Level Program
4. Select a year

 

Note: Program pass rates are based on the percentage of new graduates who passed the NBCOT exam within the reporting year, regardless of the number of attempts, in accordance with ACOTE standards.

 

 

 

Program Statistics

Grad Year	Students Entering	Student Withdraws**	Students Graduating	NBCOT Exam Pass Rate***	Graduation  Rate
2023	26	6	17	15	85%
2024	26	6	17	16	85%
2025	23	4	19	16	100%
Total	75	16	53	47	90%

 
*The number of students who graduated according to the published program length.  If a student does not graduate according to the published program length, the student should not be counted in any graduation rate.

 

** Students who withdrew for reasons other than academic performance

***  Number of students Who Passed National Board Exam (NBCOT)

 

 

 

Program Cost by Stage

College/Program Costs are subject to change

 

Pre-Acceptance Costs

Description	Term Costs	Totals
Tuition for Pre-requisites	11 units @ $46 a unit	$506
Tuition for General Education Courses*	15 units @ $46 a unit	$690
Parking Permit	$40/Semester	$160
Health Fee	$22/Semester	$88
Student Representation Fee	$2/Semester	$8
Total		$1452

* Students who enter the program with a Batchelor’s degree are not required to complete General Education Requirements in order to graduate.

 

 

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Post-Acceptance Costs

Description	Totals
Immunizations	$250
Uniforms	$150
Supplies	$60
Screening	$125
Certifications	$70
Physical	$50
Official Transcripts	$10
Total	$715

 

 

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Continued Program Costs

Description	Term Costs	Totals
Tuition	50.5 units @ $46/Unit	$2323
Books	Avg $245/Semester	$980
Parking Permit	$40/Semester	$160
Health Fee	$22/Semester	$88
Student Representation Fee	$2/Semester	$8
Course Fees (OTA 105/140)	$100	$100
Complio	$115/yr	$230
Malpractice Insurance	$28/yr	$56
Total		$3945

 

 

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Graduation, Board, and Licensure Costs

Description	Totals
NBCOT Examination	$540
Licensure (in California)	$90
Transcripts	$20
Total	$659

 

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Total Estimated Costs

Description	Totals
Pre-Acceptance	$1452
Post-Acceptance	$715
Continuing OTA Program	$3945
Graduation and Licensure	$659
Grand Total	$6771

 

 

 

 

Compliance with USDE Final Rule §668.43(a)(5)(v)

The occupational therapy assistant program currently meets the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) requirements, and as such, fulfills the educational requirements for professional license or certification for employment as an occupational therapy assistant in all the 50 U.S. States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

 

Learn more about ACOTE accreditation.