Occupational Therapy Assistant, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science

The program is designed to provide students with the philosophical, theoretical, and clinical knowledge necessary to provide quality occupational therapy. This curriculum is designed to prepare students to assist and collaborate with occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. Students will participate in classroom and fieldwork experiences in this program. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates must take and pass a national board exam and complete the licensing process in order to begin a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Graduates may, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans; carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments.

Transfer Information

Transfer is not the primary purpose of an A.A.S. program, but NOVA has articulation agreements that facilitate the transfer of this and other career-oriented programs to selected senior institutions. Students interested in transfer should contact a counselor or their academic advisor early in their program.

Course Curriculum

Below is a table that shows the courses needed to satisfy this program. Please speak with an advisor to ensure you meet your program requirements.

Two Years			Credits
Prerequisites
BIO	141	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BIO	142	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
ENG	111	College Composition I	3
HLT	141	Introduction to Medical Terminology	1
SDV	101	Orientation to (a Specific Discipline)	1
Total			13
1st Semester
¹		Humanities/Fine Arts Elective	3
OCT	100	Introduction to Occupational Therapy	3
OCT	205	Therapeutic Media	2
OCT	225	Neurological Concepts for Occupational Therapy Assistants	4
PSY	200	Principles of Psychology	3
Total			15
2nd Semester
OCT	190	Coordinated Internship (Pediatrics)	1
OCT	203	Occupational Therapy with Developmental Disabilities	4
OCT	207	Therapeutic Skills	3
PSY	215	Abnormal Psychology	3
PSY	230	Developmental Psychology	3
Total			14
3rd Semester
OCT	190	Coordinated Internship in OT (Psychosocial Dysfunction)	1
OCT	195	Topics in Evidence Based Practice in Occupational Therapy	1
OCT	201	Occupational Therapy with Psychosocial Dysfunction	3
Total			5
4th Semester
OCT	190	Coordinated Internship in OT (Psychosocial Dysfunction)	1
OCT	202	Occupational Therapy with Physical Disabilities	4
OCT	206	Dyadic and Group Dynamics	3
OCT	208	Occupational Therapy Service Management	3
OCT	210	Assistive Technology in Occupational Therapy	2
Total			13
5th Semester
OCT	290	Coordinated Internship in OT	4
OCT	290	Coordinated Internship in OT	4
OCT	295	Trends in Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy Practice	1
Total			9
Total credits for the Associate of Applied Science = 69

Two Years	Credits
Prerequisites
Human Anatomy and Physiology I BIO 141	4
Human Anatomy and Physiology II BIO 142	4
College Composition I ENG 111	3
Introduction to Medical Terminology HLT 141	1
Orientation to (a Specific Discipline) SDV 101	1
Total	13
1st Semester
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective ¹	3
Introduction to Occupational Therapy OCT 100	3
Therapeutic Media OCT 205	2
Neurological Concepts for Occupational Therapy Assistants OCT 225	4
Principles of Psychology PSY 200	3
Total	15
2nd Semester
Coordinated Internship (Pediatrics) OCT 190	1
Occupational Therapy with Developmental Disabilities OCT 203	4
Therapeutic Skills OCT 207	3
Abnormal Psychology PSY 215	3
Developmental Psychology PSY 230	3
Total	14
3rd Semester
Coordinated Internship in OT (Psychosocial Dysfunction) OCT 190	1
Topics in Evidence Based Practice in Occupational Therapy OCT 195	1
Occupational Therapy with Psychosocial Dysfunction OCT 201	3
Total	5
4th Semester
Coordinated Internship in OT (Psychosocial Dysfunction) OCT 190	1
Occupational Therapy with Physical Disabilities OCT 202	4
Dyadic and Group Dynamics OCT 206	3
Occupational Therapy Service Management OCT 208	3
Assistive Technology in Occupational Therapy OCT 210	2
Total	13
5th Semester
Coordinated Internship in OT OCT 290	4
Coordinated Internship in OT OCT 290	4
Trends in Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy Practice OCT 295	1
Total	9
Total credits for the Associate of Applied Science = 69

¹ See humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives. Electives should be selected with advice of a counselor or academic advisor to meet the requirements of the transfer institution.

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