Occupational Therapy Assistant

Campus Location(s):Penn Valley: Health Science Institute
Program Coordinator:Amber Jenkins, 816.604.4235
Application deadline: June 15

1. When does the program begin?

   August.

2. How many students are accepted?

   About 20 students are selected each year.

3. How long does it take to get a certificate or degree?

   Our four-semester program includes 74 credit hours of classes, hands-on training and clinical experiences. You must complete Level II fieldwork within 18 months of the start of your second semester.

4. What does it cost?

   Type	Tuition Cost	Total
   Credit hours needed	74
   In-state cost per credit hour	$92
   Tuition cost		$6,808
   Program fees	approx.	$1,200
   Books & supplies	approx.	$800
   Total Cost	approx.	$8,808

   ****Tuition is based on your residency, which must be established before the term starts. For the $92/cr.hr. in-district rate, you must live in Belton, Blue Springs, Center, Fort Osage, Grandview, Hickman Mills, Independence, Kansas City, Lee's Summit, North Kansas City, Park Hill or Raytown school districts.

   If you live in Missouri outside these districts, the out-of-district rate applies, $161 /cr.hr. If you live outside Missouri, the out-of-state/non-resident applies, $215/cr. hr.

   Find more information about tuition costs online or contact an advisor (816.604.1000).

5. How many students pass the national exam?

   The total number of graduates who passed the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification examination as first-time new graduate test takers in 2010–2012 was 47 out of 48, which is a pass rate of 98%. During that 3-year time period, the program had 49 graduates.

6. What courses will transfer to MCC from other universities?

   Science courses must have been taken within the last five years to be acceptable for transfer. Other courses will be evaluated.

7. What should I have completed before applying to the program?

   Biology 100, Biology 150 and English 101 must be completed before you apply to the OTA program. We also recommend you complete the anatomy and physiology requirement before applying. College 100 will be required if you do not already have 12 hours of college credit. You could also lighten your course load by completing gen ed requirements beforehand.

8. When do classes meet?

   The program is full-time. Classes and fieldwork meet during the day most days of the week. In addition to classes, you must complete fieldwork requirements during the daytime hours each semester.

9. Do I need to take a history course?

   History or the American institution requirement must be completed at an accredited Missouri college. If you have completed a history course at an institution from another state, you may enroll in a one-credit-hour course to satisfy the Missouri requirement.

10. Will I be able to transfer my coursework/degree to a master's program?

    Our courses prepare you to be an OTA. To be an Occupational Therapist, your education will differ and they may not transfer to a master's program. Some programs across the country allow an OTA with a bachelor's degree to enter a master's program.

11. Is your program accredited?

    The occupational therapy assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (ACOTE), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, SUITE 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is 301.652.AOTA www.ACOTEONLINE.org

12. How do I get certified?

    Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.