Why Study Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy is a health and rehabilitation profession that helps people attain or regain more productive, satisfying or independent lives in their chosen occupations.
When lives have been disrupted by injuries, diseases, physical, emotional, developmental, social, or cognitive challenges, occupational therapy practitioners assist by adapting or modifying the environments so they may optimally function in everyday tasks.
Under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistants work with people, groups or populations to address those aspects of their performance that affect health, well-being and quality of life.
The OTA Program accepts applications for both fall and spring enrollment. Applications for Fall 2023 will be accepted from May 15, 2023 to June 15, 2023. Please send all completed applications to: [email protected].
Why Choose RCC?
The 64 credit A.A.S. degree is generally completed in 2.5 years. Sixteen weeks of full time clinical fieldwork is required once the academic portion is completed.
The program is designed to prepare graduates to sit for a National Certification Exam and apply for state licensure as a generalist Occupational Therapy Assistant.
Accreditation
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929.. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is 301-652-AOTA.
Graduates of the program are prepared 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). New York State and most other states, require licensure in order to practice, in addition to national certification. (www.acoteonline.org)
*The OTA Program is accredited for a 10 year period from 2013/2014 to 2023/2024 which is the maximum number of years awarded.
The total number of graduates from the OTA program of Rockland Community College during the 3-year period of 2019-2021 was 65 with an overall graduation rate of 63.7%.
Graduation Year | Students Entering/Graduating | Graduation Rate |
---|---|---|
2019 | 31/23 | 74% |
2020 | 27/20 | 74% |
2021 | 44/22 | 50% |
Total: | 102/65 | 63.7% |
During 2021, 96% of the RCC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program graduates passed the National Certification Examination. OTA graduates must pass this national exam in order to obtain a state license and qualify for employment.
Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy can be found online at: https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance
NBCOT
One Bank Street, *Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-990-7979
School of Nursing, Health and Wellness
Degree Tracks & Course Sequence
Associate of Applied Science (AAS): Occupational Therapy Assistant
Real World Ready
Listening to workforce needs
Graduates of Rockland Community College are provided with a clear path to meaningful careers that meet the needs of businesses and industry in the communities we serve. Our students are trained in specific skills that are needed by employers, and guided through a career path that leads directly to workforce opportunities. With affordable tuition, students who begin their college careers at RCC are ready to meet the demands of the real world.
Free Career Exploration Assessment [ACCESS CODE: pathways]
Student Success
At Rockland Community College, you are provided with a Student Success Team that will help you with your academic journey, career exploration, transfer planning, support service referrals, and more! Your Team includes your Dean, Program Director, Faculty Advisor, Student Success Advisor, Connection Center Counselor, Financial Aid Advisor, Peer Mentors, and if you’re involved in any of these special programs, your Athletics, Honors, TRiO, and Veterans Advisors. During your first semester, you will take an ‘Introduction to the School’ course that will outline the various College offices and departments that can help you on your path.
Career Outlook
OTA graduates develop the skills necessary to work in a variety of healthcare settings, schools, out-patient clinics, pediatric settings, and home care settings.
Job Roles
Under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistants work with people, groups or populations to address those aspects of their performance that affect health, well-being and quality of life.
Industries
Opportunities for change and variety characterize the outstanding range of career options in occupational therapy. You will be welcomed by employers including public schools, rehabilitation hospitals, mental health centers, nursing homes, physician practices, and home health agencies.
Careers
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Employment and wage data by occupation are based on the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, which collects information from approximately 51,000 businesses. labor.ny.gov