Frequently Asked Questions Regarding

Occupational Therapy Assistant Education

OTs are now required to complete a Master’s degree program, while an OTA completes a certificate or 2-year degree.  OTs evaluate and develop intervention plans and are responsible for supervising OTAs.  After being certified and licensed, OTAs may provide OT services under the supervision of an OT.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant.  A person becomes certified after completing an accredited program and sitting for the NBCOT Certification Examination.  (NBCOT = National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy)

Graduates are employed at local facilities such as:  The Western Maryland Health System, Flagship (company contract in local nursing homes), School Therapy Services, and Progressive Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Clinic.

Yes.  Initial accreditation was given December 1993.  Re-accreditation status was granted December 1999.  Another on-site visit is scheduled for 2004-2005.

Starting salaries vary depending on the facility and its location.  In the immediate Cumberland area, graduates are earning $12-$14 per hour.  In larger cities, graduates can earn up to $15-$20 starting salary.  Salaries can range from $22,000 - $35,000 per year.

Several AC graduates have returned to OT school and are now working as OTRs.  You can choose a traditional Monday through Friday OT program, but most of our OTA graduates choose the weekend option.  This allows the COTA to work full-time or part-time while earning their degree to become and OTR.

You will need to contact the specific university you would like to attend to be sure credits will transfer.  Most OTA graduates will remain at AC and complete general education courses before actually transferring to a university for OT school. 

For a list of OT schools, contact AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association ) at 1-800-SAY-AOTA or at www.aota.org.

The passing rate has always been higher than the national average.  For graduating years 1995-1999 = 100% pass rate

                            2000 = 82% *

                            2001 = 85.7% *             * Second attempt 100% pass rate

                            2002 – will sit for the exam in 2003

After completing the 2-year program, you will be eligible to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination.  Once you pass this Examination, you can apply for licensure in any state in the US as well as in other countries.

               Admission Criteria - Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

1.  High School Graduates:

A total of three (3) students will be admitted from this category.

• These persons must meet the following requirements to apply and be considered for admission:

  1. One year of high school chemistry, biology, and algebra (or their equivalent) with a minimum grade of C in each course; and
  2. Pass the Allegany College placement test or successfully complete all required courses before the first college semester; and
  3. A minimum ACT composite score of 18 with no score less than 16.
     
     
• These applicants will then be ranked and top candidates selected using the following factors in order of priority:

  1. Composite score on the ACT test; and
  2. Math and Science ACT sections (average score); and
  3. Algebra, biology and chemistry high school grades.

  
  

  *If the student does not meet the requirements listed in this first category (High School Graduates), he/ she may become eligible to apply by meeting the requirements in the second category (Other Applicants).

  II. Other Applicants:

  A total of 13 students will be admitted from this category,

  A.    This category includes the following prospective students:

  1. College students at Allegany College of Maryland or other institutions; and
  2. Early placement students at Allegany College who are enrolled as full time students and who have waived the senior year of high school.

  B. These persons must meet the following requirements to apply and be considered for admission:

  1. Pass the Allegany College Placement Test or successfully complete all developmental courses as required; and
  2. Have a minimum overall college grade point average (GPA) of 2.00; and
  3. Successfully complete a minimum of 16 semester hours of college-level (100 or above) coursework in the following categories:

                       English Composition             3 credits
  

                       General Psychology              3 credits
  

                       College Math                          3 credits
  

                       Biology w/lab                          4 credits
  

                       Humanities Elective               3 credits

  C.    Entrance into the program is competitive.  Applicants will be ranked using the following three factors:

  1.  GPA which is to be calculated based on the highest grade for college level coursework in each of the following 4 categories: (weight 25%).  It is recommended that courses be completed within the last five years:

           English Composition
  

           Psychology
  

           Biology w/lab
  

           Humanities Elective

  2.      Total credits completed toward the program. 24 credits of non-OTA courses are included in the program.  Applicants with higher numbers of these credits will be ranked more favorably than those with lower numbers (weight 40%).  GPA will also be factored on these non-OTA credits.

  3.    Essay scores (35 points possible) will be based on the student viewing a film that portrays a situation that would be encountered in the Occupational Therapy profession.  Students will respond to a number of questions in essay format Scoring will be done without access to names and according to objective criteria by OTA faculty and English faculty. 10 points will be possible for addressing the questions, the remaining 25 points for spelling, grammar, punctuation, succinctness, and coherence. (weight 35%)

  Ranking:  Ranks in each of the three categories will be totaled to obtain an overall rank.  Students are selected for admission on the basis of overall rank.  Order of selection in the case of ties will be made based on date of application for current year.

  * Deadline for application: March 31

  ** The final selection of the Fall class is usually finalized by June 15.  Students will be accepted on a first come first serve basis based on their eligibility if applying after March 31.

  10. If I complete classes at another college or university, will my credits transfer to AC?

  All courses are evaluated to determine if they will transfer.  Generally, general education courses transfer, but you will need to contact the Admissions Office and send official transcripts for the course evaluation.

  Click here for to view the Admissions site

  11. Is there financial aid available for OTA students?

  There are several OTA scholarships specifically for OTA students.  Students can also apply for grants. 
  Click here to view the Foundations site

  Contact our Financial Aid Office for additional financial assistance. Click here to contact the Financial Aid office