Occupational Therapy Assistant, AAS
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program leads to the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Upon successful completion of the program, its graduates 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)®.
The program features general education and science requirements as well as occupational therapy procedure and systems courses and Level I and II Fieldwork education component. During fieldwork courses students may be required to attend clinical sites outside the Topeka area. All students in this program are required to provide their own transportation to clinicals as well as clinical lab attire. Professional liability insurance is provided by Washburn University, however, some clinical sites may require malpractice insurance.
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational Therapy assists people in developing the skills for the job of living and necessary for independent and satisfying lives. Occupational therapy assistants (OTA) assist the OTs to implement the treatment plans to help individuals to achieve independence.
Program Mission
Washburn University’s mission states that it: enriches the lives of students by providing opportunities for them to develop and to realize their intellectual, academic, and professional potential, leading to becoming productive and responsible citizens. We are committed to excellence in teaching, scholarly work, quality academic and professional programs, and high levels of faculty-student interaction. We develop and engage in relationships to enhance educational experiences and our community.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program assists that mission by preparing qualified occupational therapy assistants who provide optimum patient care through technical competency and professional conduct in the profession of an occupational therapy assistant. Washburn’s OTA program also supports the University’s mission to provide learning opportunities for students to develop their professional, intellectual, and academic potential; while encouraging and facilitating the importance of life-long learning and service to the community
Washburn University Assessment – Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program students will:
- PSLO 1: Be educated as a generalist with a broad exposure to the delivery models and systems used in settings where occupational therapy is currently practiced and where it is emerging as a service.
- PSLO 2: Have achieved entry-level competence through a combination of academic and fieldwork education.
- PSLO 3: Be prepared to articulate and apply occupational therapy principles and intervention tools to achieve expected outcomes as related to occupation.
- PSLO 4: Be prepared to articulate and apply therapeutic use of occupations with individuals or groups for the purpose of participation in roles and situations in home, school, workplace, community, and other settings.
- PSLO 5: Be able to apply occupational therapy interventions to address the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory, and other aspects of performance in a variety of contexts and environments to support engagement in everyday life activities that affect health, well-being, and quality of life.
- PSLO 6: Uphold the ethical standards, values, and attitudes of the occupational therapy profession.
- PSLO 7: Understand the distinct roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistant in the supervisory process.
- PSLO 8: Be prepared to effectively communicate and work interprofessionally with those who provide care for individuals and/or populations in order to clarify each member’s responsibility in executing components of an intervention plan.
Accreditation
The occupational therapy assistant program is accredited by the:
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-AOTA, www.acoteonline.org.
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, all states require licensure in order to practice; practice. Requirements for each states license may be found at each state’s individual licensing board. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination and/or attain state licensure.
Note: Students must complete Level II fieldwork within 18 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.
Alpha Omega Tau
Alpha Omega Tau (AΩT) is a specialized honor society for students and graduates of an occupational therapy assistant program who meet the eligibility requirements (GPA in top 35% of cohort, with a minimum GPA of 3.5, and commitment to leadership, scholarship, and service). AΩT recognizes and encourages superior scholarship in a specialized or given field of study at a school, college, or larger unit of a University or within a field of study of a two-year college.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Committee (OTAC)
The purpose of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Committee (OTAC), the program's student organization, is to provide an opportunity to promote and educate the community about Occupational Therapy Services. OTAC provides an avenue that enables professional growth, leadership, develops peer support and mentorship. OTAC members provide volunteerism and community service within the university and surrounding communities.
Admission Requirements
This program has special admission requirements. Interested students should contact the Allied Health Department for specific requirements.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the requirements stated below, students must complete 15 hours of General Education and all requirements for an Associate of Applied Science degree. Some of the courses below may also fulfill general education or other degree requirements. Please see your advisor for more information.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses Inside of Department 1 | ||
| AL 101 | Foundations of Healthcare | 3 |
| AL 161 | Foundations of Occupational Therapy | 2 |
| AL 162 | Occupational Therapy Interventions I | 3 |
| AL 163 | Foundations of Occupational Therapy II | 3 |
| AL 164 | Level I OTA Fieldwork Rotation I | 1 |
| AL 166 | Occupational Therapy Interventions II | 3 |
| AL 167 | Foundations of Occupational Therapy III | 3 |
| AL 168 | Level I OTA Fieldwork Rotation II | 1 |
| AL 186 | Cardiopulmonary Assessment | 2 |
| AL 252 | Psychosocial Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| AL 253 | Level I OTA Fieldwork Rotation III | 1 |
| AL 254 | Current Topics Occupational Therapy | 2 |
| AL 255 | Level II Occupational Therapy Fieldwork | 8 |
| AL 257 | Applied Neurophysiology - Occupational Therapy | 3 |
| AL 320 | Human Disease | 3 |
| Subtotal | 41 | |
| Required Courses Outside of Department 1 | ||
| BI 230 | Introduction to Human Physiology 2 | 3 |
| BI 250 | Introduction to Human Anatomy 2 | 3 |
| PY 100 | Basic Concepts in Psychology | 3 |
| SO 101 | Social Problems | 3 |
| WU 101 | The Washburn Experience | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 56 | |
- 1
Students must receive a C or better in each course.
- 2
BI 100 is a required prerequisite for this course.