School of Allied Health Sciences
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
The Profession
Occupational therapy is a health and rehabilitation profession that provides services to individuals of all ages who are physically, psychologically, or developmentally disabled, including those suffering from strokes, heart diseases, arthritis, diabetes, serious burns, spinal cord injuries, and psychiatric disorders. The profession tailors the rehabilitation process individually for each patient and, through evaluation and treatment, seeks to achieve restoration or improvement of impaired functions. The goal of occupational therapy is to assist the patient in achieving a maximum level of independent living by developing the capacities that remain after disease, accident, or deformity. The Occupational Therapy Assistant will be working under the direct supervision of the Occupational Therapist and is able to perform most routine treatment procedures, assist an Occupational Therapist with complex procedures and perform some measures and instruction.
Employment
Occupational Therapy Assistants are employed in all types of health care facilities and clinics as well as home health, public schools and educational organizations. They may also have their own individual practice. Starting salaries vary considerably depending on type of facility and location.
Curriculum/Accreditation
The Associate in Applied Science degree for the Occupational Therapy Assistant is offered through the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Sayre Campus. Courses for the program are conducted by the Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center (CKTC) in Fort Cobb and SWOSU at Weatherford and Sayre. The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. Graduates of the program are able 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). Most states require licensure in order to practice, however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program must first meet SWOSU Sayre campus admission standards. They may make application to attend SWOSU either at the Sayre or Weatherford campus. The General Education and Technical Occupational Support courses may be taken at SWOSU Sayre or Weatherford. Prerequisite courses from other accredited institutions may be transferred for acceptance into the program.
A separate application is required for admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant – Technical Occupational Specialty program at the CKTC, Fort Cobb, OK. Applications for this program are available from CKTC in January and must be completed by April 1 and returned to:
Ms. Marion Prichard
Associate Dean, School of Allied Health Sciences
SWOSU
Weatherford, OK 73096
The admission of this portion of the program is based on grade point averages, interviews, references, experience, and other evidence of potential success for the program. Admission to SWOSU does not guarantee admission to this portion of the OTA Program. Admissions are limited to the top 12 students.
SWOSU Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
General Education - 17-18 hours
(Must be completed before admission to the Technical Occupational Specialty Program at Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center)
1063 United States History
1113 English Comp I
1103 American Government & Politics
1143 Math Concepts or 1613 College Algebra
1213 English Comp II
Technical Occupational Support Courses - 17-18 hours
(Must be completed before admission to the Technical Occupational Specialty Program at Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center)
1004 and 1004L Biological Concepts and Lab
2104 and 2104L Human Anatomy and Lab
2304 and 2304L Human Physiology and Lab
or 4233 Exercise Physiology and 3443 Kinesiology and Anatomy
or 2714 Human Anatomy and Physiology
2442 Medical Terminology
1003 General Psychology
3213 Developmental Psychology
Technical Occupational Specialty - 42 hours
(Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center)
Semester I
2212 Disease Pathology
1013 Introduction to OT (with lab)
1023 Kinesiology for OT (with lab)
2002 Health Care and OT Management
1102 Therapeutic Media (with lab)
2022 Fieldwork IA
Semester II
2143 Elder Care in OT
2133 Pediatric Care in OT
2102 Therapeutic Activities (with lab)
2113 Physical Dysfunction and Treatment (with lab)
2103 Psychological Dysfunction and Treatment (with lab)
2122 Fieldwork 1B
Semester III
2206 Fieldwork IIA
2216 Fieldwork IIB
(Both of the above must be completed within 18 months following completion of course work)
Contact
Shirley Venable, Admin. Assistant
SWOSU - Weatherford
SCI 206 | (580)-774-3249
shirley.venable@swosu.edu
Marion Prichard, Associate Dean, School of Allied Health Sciences
SWOSU - Weatherford
S-206A | (580) 774-3079
marion.prichard@swosu.edu
Sherri Robertson, OTR , Director, Occupational Therapy Program
Program Coordinator
Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center
Box 190
Fort Cobb, OK 73038
(405) 643-5511
