Are you compassionate and patient? Occupational therapy assistants help patients develop, recover, and improve skills for daily living. Choose from a variety of employment opportunities – from working with children with developmental disabilities to helping adults recover from strokes.
Degrees & Certificates
Perform fieldwork in pediatrics, mental health, and physical disabilities. After completing this empowering program, you’ll be eligible to take the NBCOT certification exam.
- Applications accepted Jan. 17 – April 6, 2023
- Program offered every fall semester
- 60 credit hours
Program Info
South Campus
Serving students in Southeast Houston, Pearland, Clear Lake, and Friendswood.
- Accreditation
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The Occupational Therapy Assistant program at San Jacinto College has been granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
ACOTE Contact Information:
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
Telephone Number: (301) 652-6611
The official website can be found here.
- Application Information and Deadlines
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The Fall 2023 application period will open January 16, 2024 and close April 5th, 2024 by 5:00pm. The OTA program will accept 12–14 students. Applicants must meet the College’s general admission requirements. This does not guarantee admission to the program. Attend an information session for further details.
Application Drop Off
Online Application Portal
Coming soon.
In Person
South Campus Room: S-1.251i
Monday – Thursday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 12 noon (by appointment only. Please email otaprogram@sjcd.edu to schedule a drop of time)
Prerequisites
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3 credit hours MATH 1314 College Algebra 3 credit hours BIOL 2301 Anatomy & Physiology I (lecture) 3 credit hours BIOL 2101 Anatomy & Physiology I (lab) 1 credit hour BIOL 2302 Anatomy & Physiology II (lecture) 3 credit hours BIOL 2102 Anatomy & Physiology II (lab) 1 credit hour PYSC 2301 General Psychology 3 credit hours PHIL 2306 Ethics 3 credit hours Total Credit Hours 20 credit hours Observation Hours
The San Jacinto College OTA Program will accept optional observation hours from a licensed OT or OTA as part of the application process. Please attend an information session for more information.
Recommendation Forms
Three recommendations are needed to apply to the OTA program. The forms are located under Admission Documents section. No formal letters of recommendation are accepted. Points are awarded based on sum of all three recommendation forms.
Admissions Documents
Application Packet (Updated June 2022)
OTA Application (updated June 2022)
Admissions Rubric (updated June 2022)
OTA Frequently Asked Questions (updated June 2022)
Recommendation Form (Updated June 2022)
Immunization Requirements (Updated June 2022)
GPS Report Instructions (Updated Feb 2022)
Background Check/Drug Screening Information
Licensure is based on successful completion of the NBCOT examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT examination or attain state licensure. Any form of conviction results on a criminal background check may be cause for exclusion from admission to the program. Applicants have the right to request a criminal history evaluation from the applicable licensing agency.
- Approximate Program Costs
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See Approximate Costs & Fees PDF (updated May 2023).
- Information Sessions
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Information sessions are offered as a Zoom webinar or Face to Face on South Campus. See details below. These sessions are not mandatory but highly recommended.
**To sign up for a virtual session via Zoom, please fill out the Information Session Registration Form. A Zoom link will be emailed to you.
Summer 2023 Dates/Times
On campus (In Person)
South Campus room listed next to date
Wednesdays from 12 – 1 pmWebinar (Virtual)
Thursday from 6 – 7 pmJuly 12, 2023- TBD July 27, 2023 August 2, 2023- TBD August 10, 2023 Fall 2023 Dates/Times
On campus (In Person)
South Campus room listed next to date
Wednesdays from 12 – 1 pmWebinar (Virtual)
Thursdays from 6 – 7 pmSeptember 6, 2023 - TBD September 28, 2023 October 11, 2023 - TBD October 19, 2023 November 8, 2023- TBD November 30, 2023 Spring 2024 Dates/Times
On campus (In Person)
South Campus room listed next to date
Wednesdays from 12 – 1 pmWebinar (Virtual)
Thursdays from 6 – 7 pmJanuary 24, 2024- TBD February 1, 2024 February 7, 2024- TBD February 15, 2024 February 21, 2024- TBD March 7, 2024 March 20, 2024- TBD - Program Outcomes
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Our graduates are eligible to take 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) and can apply for state licensure in order to practice. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students must complete Level II fieldwork within 18 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.
Student Graduation Rates
Student graduation rates are indicated per academic calendar year. Graduation occurs in May of each academic year.
Graduation Year Students Entering/Graduating Graduation Rate 2020* 12/8 67% 2021* 14/12 86% 2022 12/12 100%
2023* 12/11 91.67% 2024 12/TBD TBD **Total 38/32 86.17% *Students withdrew from program due to personal reasons.
** Total students from graduation year 2020-2023.
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Program Data
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) data results are available on the NBCOT website.
- Resources and Important Documents
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What is Occupational Therapy?
To read more about the OT profession, see AOTA What is Occupational Therapy PDF Brochure.
More Occupational Therapy Assistant Resources
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
National Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (NBCOT)
- Fieldwork Educator Resources
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Academic Fieldwork Coordinator: Christine Joseph, OTR (281) 998-6150 X3949
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- In the News
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