OTA Program Information
LOCATION
Occupational therapy courses are offered at the Navarro College-Corsicana and Navarro College-Midlothian locations. Students are assigned to a location upon admission to the program. OTA courses are offered in hybrid format, with a portion of the courses completed via distance education. Students must have Internet access and basic word processing skills to participate in the distance education components. Many students commute significant distances to attend classes. Travel distances are considered by faculty members in the development of course schedules each semester, but students should consider individual travel time requirements prior to applying to the program.
ADMISSION
A new class is admitted into the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program each summer. The program typically accepts 45 students. A new cohort begins at the start of the summer session.
OTA PROGRAM ADMISSION CRITERIA
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- Current enrollment in Navarro College.
- Submission of program application on or before deadline.
- Completion of or current enrollment in prerequisite courses:
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ENGL 1301 Composition I
BIOL 2401 Anatomy & Physiology I
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- Evidence of a “clear” criminal history background check
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ADMISSION DECISIONS
The faculty will review all complete applications in April. Applicants are ranked using a points system determined from the following data: Grades in prerequisite courses on the OTA degree plan, previous health work experience, completion of prior degree or health certification, and submission of required essay. The highest total point applicant sets the mark for ranking. Applicants will be numbered in descending order based on point total. If two or more applicants tie for total points, core GPA will be used as a tiebreaker with the higher GPA ranked higher. Ranking points will be awarded for courses taken and completed by the end of the first 8 weeks of the spring semester. No ranking points will be awarded for courses taken after this time.
Students will be notified in April as to their status in the OTA Program. A correct and current email is very important in the notification process. The applicant must reply within the specified time to assure their position in the program. Students selected for admission into the OTA program will be required to attend a mandatory orientation in May, and classes will begin in June.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Applicants requesting admission based upon coursework from another OTA program are considered for transfer into a current cohort pending space availability, transferability of previous OTA and general education courses, and status and dates of previous enrollment. A potential transfer student must meet all Navarro College requirements for enrollment and potential graduation (number of credit hours completed at Navarro College). A potential transfer student who is ineligible for readmission to their previous OTA program or has failed more than one OTA course will not be eligible for admission. The program director may request a letter of good standing from the previous OTA program. Previous program enrollment must be within two years of the transfer request.
Applicants selected for transfer admission will be required to demonstrate competency in selected skills before they are eligible to enroll in OTA courses. Competency may be established by written or oral exam, demonstration, or fieldwork education in any combination. Satisfactory performance is defined as a grade of C (>75) or higher.
Potential transfer students should contact the OTA program director to discuss space availability and eligibility, and transferability of coursework.
DEGREE REQUIRMENTS
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program provides the basic knowledge and skills required of an entry-level occupational therapy assistant into the workforce. Upon satisfactory completion of this curriculum, the student will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree and will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) to become a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA).
The Associate of Applied Science Occupational Therapy Assistant degree consists of 60 credit hours, which includes sixteen (16) weeks of full-time fieldwork in occupational therapy settings under the supervision of an occupational therapist. The degree consists of seventeen (17) credit hours of academic courses and forty-three (43) credit hours of program-specific courses.
OTA courses are offered in a set sequence. Once admitted into the program, the student must progress through the curriculum as designed. This means a student may not “jump ahead” in the curriculum and take advanced occupational therapy courses. Academic courses not completed prior to acceptance into the OTA Program are the student’s responsibility to arrange around OTA courses.
| 1. Prerequisite Courses | 7 hours |
| BIOL 2401 Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| ENGL 1301 Composition I | 3 |
| 2. Core Curriculum/Related Requirements | 10 hours |
| BIOL 2402 Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| PSYC 2314 Lifespan Growth & Development | 3 |
| PHIL 1301 or PHIL 2306 | 3 |
| 3. Major Course Requirements | 43 hours |
| Summer | |
| OTHA 1405 Principles of Occupational Therapy | 4 |
| First Fall | |
| OTHA 1309 Human Structure and Function | 3 |
| OTHA 1415 Therapeutic Use of Occupations I | 4 |
| OTHA 2301 Pathophysiology in OT | 3 |
| First Spring | |
| OTHA 2304 Neurology in OT | 3 |
| OTHA 2309 Mental Health in OT | 3 |
| OTHA 1341 Occupational Performance Birth-Adolescence | 3 |
| OTHA 1319 Therapeutic Interventions I | 3 |
| OTHA 1161 Clinical in OTA I | 1 |
| Second Fall | |
| OTHA 2302 Therapeutic Use of Occupations II | 3 |
| OTHA 2405 Therapeutic Interventions II | 4 |
| OTHA 1162 Clinical in OTA II | 1 |
| OTHA 2235 Health Care Management in OT | 2 |
| Second Spring | |
| OTHA 2366 Practicum in OTA I | 3 |
| OTHA 2367 Practicum in OTA II | 3 |
| TOTAL 60 HOURS | |
ACADEMIC PROGRESSION
The OTA faculty of Navarro College are committed to ensuring that each student has opportunities to experience success while enrolled in the OTA coursework. Common reasons for withdrawal from the OTA Program include academic, health, financial, and/or personal reasons. Students having trouble and considering withdrawal from the program are encouraged to meet with the program director to discuss options.
PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS
- The student must complete proof of required or state mandated health screenings and
immunizations and CPR training prior to client contact, which includes coursework
and fieldwork education (clinical and practicum level), or they will not be allowed
to continue in the program.
- Occupational therapy courses must be taken in sequential order. Students are not allowed
to “jump ahead” in occupational therapy coursework.
- A student who interrupts the sequence of OTHA courses may require additional coursework
to ensure clinical readiness. Faculty will determine if a student will be required
to take additional courses prior to readmission to the program.
- All coursework (core courses and OTHA courses) must be taken prior to Level II fieldwork
and must be successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better for a student to
be eligible to proceed with Level II fieldwork.
- If for any reason a student must withdraw from the OTA program, readmission will require
approval of the Program Director.
- Interruption of sequence of studies may require additional coursework to help ensure
clinical readiness.
- A felony conviction may affect the student’s ability to progress with coursework,
sit for the NBCOT certification examination, and/or obtain state licensure.
GRADE REQUIREMENTS
A minimum grade of C (≥ 75) must be earned in each occupational therapy course to progress in the program. All additional coursework (non-OTHA courses) requires a grade of C (≥ 70) or better to complete the program. The final grade for each Level II fieldwork rotation will be graded and recorded as either pass or fail. A student receiving a grade less than a “C” in an OTHA course will be academically dismissed from the program. The student can apply for readmission into the program during the next open application period if eligible. (Refer to Readmission Procedure)
The OTA program will follow the Health Professions grading system listed below:
A = 100-90 B = 89-80 C = 79-75 D = 74-60 F = 59-0
Students must earn a “75” or above in all OTA coursework to progress in the program. A grade of “C” or better (70 or above) must be obtained in all other academic core courses in the OTA degree plan.
TIME LIMITS
Entry into Level II fieldwork must occur within six (6) months of completing academic studies or the student will be dismissed from the program. Completion of Level II fieldwork must occur within sixteen (16) months of completion of academic studies. The program must be completed within four (4) years of registration of OTHA 1405.
HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
IMMUNIZATIONS
Upon admission to the program, the student is to submit required proof of current immunization status. It is recommended that the student have completed 2/3 of the Hepatitis B series prior to application to the program.
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Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Evidence or two doses OR TITER (serological evidence of immunity). There must be 30 days or more between the two doses. |
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Hepatitis B (Hep B) Evidence of three doses or TITER (serological evidence of immunity). The series typically takes 6 months to complete. |
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Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis (Tdap) vidence of current Tdap vaccine (within 10 years) through anticipated completion of Level II fieldwork. |
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Varicella Evidence of two doses or TITER (serological evidence of immunity). |
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Tuberculosis Skin Test (TB) Required annually. If a chest x-ray is necessary, the student must document a negative chest x-ray within the past two (2) years. |
Some fieldwork sites are requiring students and faculty to be fully vaccinated for influenza and/or COVID19. Proof of vaccination may be required prior to fieldwork.
HEALTH EXAMINATION
Each student must undergo a physical health examination by a certified health professional once admitted into the program. Please note the health examination requires the student to read the “Performance Standards” beforehand, and both the student and the health professional must sign the form indicating the ability to perform as described and/or any limitations which may be present.
The responsibility for maintaining current health testing and immunizations, including costs, are the responsibility of the student.
DRUG SCREEN
Drug screens will occur randomly after acceptance into the program. The student will be responsible for any cost involved in a drug screen. Failure to comply with the drug screen or to pay for the drug screen will result in dismissal from the OTA Program.
PERSONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
Some fieldwork sites may require that students have personal health insurance. Students may be asked to show proof of health insurance prior to fieldwork assignment.
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
Students enrolled in the OTA Program are required to have professional liability insurance. Students purchase liability insurance via a course fee and the College secures the limited liability insurance coverage. Students may wish to purchase additional liability insurance.
| NOTE: The liability insurance that each student will have does not pay for injuries to the student – only for injuries to the patient. The student is completely responsible for personal medical costs incurred while at fieldwork sites. If a patient is injured by the student, the limited liability insurance may or may not cover all legal costs. |
CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK
The applicant will obtain a federal background check via CastleBranch prior to application to the OTA Program. Additional background checks may be required by fieldwork education sites. Costs associated with all required background checks are the responsibility of the applicant.
Students cannot participate in lab or fieldwork studies involving clients without a “clear” criminal history background check. Clinical training sites, in accordance with the regulations of the State of Texas and national accreditation agencies, require employees, students, and volunteers who work with children, the elderly, or the disabled to have a “clear” criminal history background check. Agencies vary as to what the definition of “clear” means. The facilities may choose to request additional nationwide and international criminal history background checks. The final decision regarding acceptance of a student for fieldwork training based on previous criminal history rests with each facility.
A student who does not have a clear criminal history record is required to meet with the OTA Program Director prior to admission into the OTA Program to discuss the implication of the criminal record on his/her potential progression in and completion of all requirements of the curriculum. Counseling may include referral to the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (TBOTE) and the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy certification examination or attain state licensure.
