Occupational Therapy Assistant Admission Information

We offer information sessions via Zoom or in person on South Campus. While these sessions are not mandatory, they are highly recommended.

You can register for a virtual session using the form below. Once you register for a virtual information session, you will receive an email with the Zoom link.

Upcoming Information Sessions
In-person sessions take place on the South Campus.

• Complete all prerequisites before applying. - Learn more about why this is important under the Prerequisites tab.
• Attend an information session (see dates above). Information sessions will help you understand the program and help you prepare overall for the application process.
• Include a transcript evaluation with your application - This clarifies any courses that were taken at another college or university.
  

  Admissions Rubric

We require three recommendation forms for each application. Letters of recommendation are not allowed, you must submit recommendation forms. Points are awarded based on each form of recommendation. The maximum point allocated from each form is 40 points. We will take the sum of the three recommendation forms to identify your score for the admissions rubric. Recommendation forms should be filled out by employers, professors, or OT/OTAs you’ve been observing. Family and friends can not fill out your recommendation forms.

Recommendation Form

All applicants must complete their prerequisite courses before the start of the program should they be accepted. A student in the program cannot complete perquisites during the program. It's important to note:

• Anatomy & Physiology I and II with the lab should be taken within the last five years. An exception can be made for those applicants who have worked in the healthcare industry. Verification of employment will be needed from the employer to consider the waiver. The program director will make the final decision regarding the exemption.
• There are no other time limits on other prerequisite course time frames.
• Applicants will receive one point for each course in progress during the application cycle. Courses taken in the Summer will be considered not taken therefore zero points are awarded on the admission rubric.

Prerequisites

Course Number	Course Name	Credit Hours
ENGL 1301	Composition I	3 credit hours
MATH 1314	College Algebra	3 credit hours
BIOL 2301	Anatomy & Physiology I (lecture)	3 credit hours
BIOL 2101	Anatomy & Physiology I (lab)	1 credit hour
BIOL2302	Anatomy & Physiology II (lecture)	3 credit hours
BIOL 2102	Anatomy & Physiology II (lab)	1 credit hour
PYSC 2301	General Psychology	3 credit hours
PHIL 2306	Ethics	3 credit hours
	Total Credit Hours	20

We use CastleBranch to document and track immunization records, drug screenings, and more. If you are accepted into the OTA program, you will need to upload proof of immunizations to CastleBranch before you are placed in field work. It is also a good idea to obtain hard copies of your immunizations for your own records. Please create an account with CastleBranch and upload documentation for:

• Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Hepatitis B series 
• TB skin test (expires each year and has to be renewed) 
• Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (TDaP) 
• Influenza (flu shot) 
• CPR certification – Must be completed by your first semester and must be renewed prior to your fifth semester
• Health insurance 
• COVID-19 Vaccine (required by clinical site placements) 

As part of the OTA program, you will be studying in facilities outside of the College. During these times, you will be required to comply with the immunization policies of each facility to be able to participate. This includes COVID-19 vaccinations. These requirements are implemented by the outside facilities and are not mandated by San Jac. Failure to meet the immunization requirements may limit your ability to complete the program. It may also delay your graduation date. San Jac does not process exemptions. You must address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the external learning site.

Immunization Requirements