Occupational Therapy Assistant

National Outlook

Overall employment of occupational therapy assistants and aides is projected to grow 22 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities.

National trends and data about occupational therapy assistants are available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THE PROGRAM

• Medical terminology
• Anatomy & physiology
• Psychology
• Kinesiology
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Professional behaviors

IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY RIGHT FOR YOU?

The World Federation of Occupational Therapists defines the profession as:

A client centered health profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation. The primary goal is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in occupations they want to, need to, or expect to do by modifying the occupation or environment to better support their occupational engagement. (WFOT 2012)

This is a "hands-on" profession in which the OTR and COTA develop a therapeutic relationship with their patients. COTAs are in daily physical contact with a diverse group of people and a variety of types of machines and technology. The work requires frequent standing, bending, walking, and occasional heavy lifting, exposure to bodily fluids, as well as working closely with clients and other treatment team members under potentially stressful conditions. Click on the following link to assess your ability to meet the Essential Functions and Technical Standards for Occupational Therapy Assistant Students.

MORE LINKS

• About occupational therapy
• For prospective OTA students
• National Organization - The American Occupational Therapy Association
• State Organization - The South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association
• Credentialing Organization - National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

The Greenville Technical College OTA Program is accredited by the:

www.aota.org or www.acoteonline.org

301-652-6611 x2042
FAX: 240-762-5140

National Board of Certification for Occupational Therapy Results

The performance of Greenville Technical College OTA Program Graduates on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification examination may be found using the following link: http://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance

Professional Licensure and Certification Requirements

Students who are considering an academic program that may allow them to pursue professional licensure in another state are strongly encouraged to check that state’s information and contact the appropriate licensing agency for additional information and guidance before beginning the program.

Greenville Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.

Questions about the accreditation of Greenville Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Occupational Therapy Assistant
Associate in Applied Science

Designed as a 1 + 1 program, this program prepares students for entry-level practice in the field of occupational therapy.

• Phase I includes all general education and related coursework and may be completed at Greenville Technical College or any articulating college.
• Phase II of the OTA program is only available at Greenville Technical College’s Benson Campus. Students from articulating colleges must be able to travel to or arrange accommodations near the campus.
• Required fieldwork course assignments during Phase II will require students to travel and arrange temporary accommodations away from home. Fieldwork must be completed within 18 months of completion of academic courses.
• Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

OTA program details from our current catalog »

Students working toward acceptance in select Health Sciences programs are now classified as an Associate in Science major. Want to know more? Check out our FAQ section.

Click the program below to view the ideal grouping of courses in order by semester. This plan assumes a full-time schedule. Note, however, that many variables can affect this plan, and not every course is offered every semester. Please see your advisor to map out your own personalized progression toward graduation.

Occupational Therapy Assistant
Associate in Applied Science

Requirements for OTA Program Admissions

In addition to the Greenville Technical College admissions process outlined in these Enrollment Steps, students interested in the OTA program must also

• understand the School of Health Sciences policies
• successfully complete Career Talk
• complete the TEAS Test
• submit the weighted application for the program

Policies

The OTA program strictly adheres to all School of Health Sciences policies, which are detailed on the Health Sciences admissions information page, including:

• Criminal Background checks
• Drug Screening

Career Talk

Participating in a Career Talk session for your program is a requirement for all Health Sciences students. Career Talk is an information session that covers all program information, the admissions process and all aspects of the career. Due to the complex nature of the weighted admissions process, students are encouraged to review the career talk as soon as they have an interest in the program to make sure they have a clear understanding of the career and the acceptance process.

Access the OTA Career Talk (pdf) »

TEAS Requirement

OTA program applicants are required to complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS®) prior to submitting a Weighted Admission Form for program admission. Scores from the TEAS test will be used in the point calculations for Weighted Admission. Please see full details in the TEAS Information.

OTA Weighted Admission Form

The application submission process for GTC's OTA program is now electronic. The electronic application will only be accessible during the application acceptance period, between January 15 and February 28 annually. Applications are not accepted during any other timeframe. 

• To review the form prior to submitting, please view this sample form (pdf) »
  This pdf will not be accepted as an official application. It is for reference only.

• To submit an application, you must log in using your GTC student access.
  Access the OTA Weighted Admission form »

Overview of the OTA Program Admissions Process

The OTA program is designed as a 1 + 1 program, where Phase I includes your general education and related courses, which may be taken at Greenville Technical College or any articulating college.

Upon successful completion of Phase I, qualified students are eligible to apply to Phase II, the final 5-7 semesters of academic and clinical coursework.

• Weighted admissions applications are accepted between November 1 and February 28 annually.
• Students meeting all other program entrance requirements* who complete all general education courses with a grade of “C” will be considered. (*Refer to Career Talk presentation or Weighted Admission Form for specific requirements.)
• Acceptance letters will be emailed in March

Admission into the Greenville Technical College OTA program Phase I does not guarantee admission into Phase II of the program. Phase II admission is competitive, based on weighted admission scores and the relative scores of the applicant pool each year.

Read more about Phase II requirements »

Recommended Humanities elective options »

OTA GPA Calculator »

Estimated Costs of OTA program

Books and other fees in Phase I and Phase II: $1500 each Phase.
Other variable expenses that the students are responsible for, may include but are not limited to:  

• Immunizations and vaccinations
• Physicals
• Drug Screens*
• Criminal Background checks*
• Ice DocuLearn
• Professional Liability Insurance
• Project Supplies x5 semesters
• Food
• Housing
• Transportation
• Exam Prep
• Practice Exam
• Upon graduation, the cost of the licensure exam and obtaining licensure upon successful passing of the exam:
  • National Board Certification Exam: $540.00
  • South Carolina Licensure fee: $130.00

Tuition and fees are subject to change.  Please refer to the Tuition and Fees page for the most current information.

MISSION

The mission of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, in conjunction with Greenville Technical College’s mission, is to transform students’ lives and help our community thrive by providing high-quality, affordable education to students and building an educated, engaged workforce committed to life-long learning.

We are committed to assisting students from diverse backgrounds in the achievement of the essential skills, leadership, community service actions, and professional behaviors necessary for successful employment as an occupational therapy assistant in diverse settings.  We provide hands-on learning, the use of evidence-based practice, and access to emerging practices and technology to ensure our students are equipped to enter the profession successfully. 

Greenville Technical College’s OTA program strives to graduate competent individuals who are able to perform as entry-level, state-licensed, and nationally Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants while upholding the ethical standards and values of the profession, as well as graduates who continue to contribute to the profession by providing meaningful feedback, mentorship/fieldwork training, networking, and referrals.

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of the Associate in Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant, students will:

• select, modify, and implement interventions that are safe, evidence-based, culturally relevant and support participation in occupation
• model professional behaviors that are appropriate for the academic and healthcare environment
• uphold professional standards and responsibilities to promote quality in practice
• interpret evidence-based research for use in clinical applications
• gather, interpret, assess, and report appropriate data for client-centered, occupation-based practice

PROGRAM GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Satisfy all Greenville Technical College graduation requirements (refer to the most recent Greenville Technical College Catalog).
2. Complete all general education courses with a grade of “C” or better.
3. Complete all didactic and fieldwork courses with a grade of “C” or better;
4. Receive “C” or better on all of the Professional Development Evaluations.
5. All OTA academic classwork must be completed in a timely manner. Students on a full-time track must complete all classwork in 8 consecutive semesters. Students on part-time track must complete all academic classwork in 10 consecutive semesters.
6. Successfully complete Level II fieldwork within 18 months following completion of OTA academic preparation.
7. Successfully complete two Level II fieldwork placements. See Recycle Policy
8. Adhere to all School of Health Sciences policies and procedures as well as OTA program policies and procedures.

Academic Program Director
Betty Russell, COTA/L, BS, M.Ed
Betty.Russell@jmswierski.com
864-250-3028

Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Candace Fly, MOTR/L
Candace.Fly@jmswierski.com
864-250-3033

Administrative Assistant 
Nechia Carroll
Nechia.Carroll@jmswierski.com 
864-250-3069

Advisor, Phase I
Ann Hester
Ann.Hester@jmswierski.com 
864-250-3008