The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program aims to graduate students who:

1. Value occupation as the therapeutic agent integral to the profession which drives human engagement in context giving meaning, focus, and purpose to one’s life.
2. Exhibit behaviors reflective of the profession’s philosophy, ethical principles, knowledge base, and practice guidelines in order to safeguard clients’ health and privacy, document services accurately, and adhere to laws regulating the delivery of Occupational Therapy services.
3. View health and illness as a continuum that fluctuates from a sense of total well-being to a state of physical, social, and/or mental disability, and recognize how therapeutic occupation is used to promote health and wellness and provide opportunities to adapt to one’s circumstances.
4. Utilize clinical reasoning to demonstrate competency in the analysis and application of skills appropriate for client-centered and occupation-based therapeutic interventions with individuals, groups and populations in a variety of settings and contexts.
5. Communicate and collaborate effectively and professionally with peers, supervisors, members of related disciplines, clients and their families.
6. Demonstrate the necessary skills to function effectively in the modern workplace including the use of clinical reasoning, the use of technology for client interventions and documentation of services, and the ability to utilize scholarly research to engage in evidence-based best practice.
7. Engage in self-reflection and self-evaluation to determine current strengths, needs, and interests to facilitate preparation of a professional development plan that addresses continuing competency and cultivates new interests consistent with an appreciation for lifelong learning.

* Two Fieldwork II courses required; full-time day hours, eight weeks each

General Admissions Requirements:
All students who apply for our Associate or Bachelor’s programs need the following:

• Application for Admissions
• All high school transcripts or equivalent
• If you are a transfer student: All official college transcripts from previously attended schools that show up in the National Student Clearinghouse
• Minimum of a 2.5 GPA or higher in College or minimum overall 80 GPA or higher from high school.

Occupational Therapy Assistant, AAS Requirements:
In addition to the general admissions requirements listed above, students who apply to our OTA program need the following:

• Successful completion of laboratory biology and chemistry is satisfied by one of these three ways:
  • Final grade of 80 or higher in both subjects from high school.
  • Minimum C or better from a college biology and chemistry course.
  • Minimum C or better in a 4-credit Anatomy and Physiology I with lab course transferable to Maria’s Anatomy and Physiology I course.

General Studies with Intent for OTA (GSO) process: If students are not qualified for our Associates in OTA at the time they apply, we have a wonderful pre-occupational therapy track called General Studies with the intention of OTA. Students will build a strong academic foundation, have faculty advisor dedicated to our pre-OTA process, and submit a Change of Status form with the required OTA documents, versus apply to the program again. Current students are given priority review for the OTA program.

Important Deadlines:
March 1 – Completed application
April 1 – Application deposit due
After April 1 – Program review on space available

Maria College OTA Program Graduation Rates

The total number of graduates from the Maria College Occupational Therapy Assistant program during the 3-year period of 2021-2023 was 92 with an overall graduation rate of 91.1%.

Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online at: https://www.nbcot.org/Educators-Folder/SchoolPerformance