Occupational Therapy Assistant AS
The joint program is a single, integrated entity, composed of college level courses and clinical experiences to establish and improve the quantity of practicing professionals. By memorandum of understanding, students who successfully complete the joint program will be granted an Associate Degree jointly by both institutions.
The professional courses are taught by Rutgers University faculty at the Piscataway Campus.
Prior to the start of the professional phase of the OTA program at Rutgers University, all applicants must complete 30 credits of General Education and Science courses at HCCC. Students must achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher in these courses.
Admission to the program is competitive and space is limited. Applicants must apply to both HCCC and Rutgers University. Other items needed:
- Documentation of 20 hours observation of an OT or an OTA.
- Two letters of recommendation; one of which must be from an OT or an OTA.
- Applicant essay.
Careers
Occupational therapy assistants, or OTAs, help people to develop new skills or recover lost skills needed for daily living. Working under the direction of an occupational therapist, an OTA often works directly with patients to help them meet their therapy goals. OTAs may work with a wide range of individuals from those with minor injuries to those with developmental delays.
Curriculum
This 75-credit joint Associate of Science Degree Program in Occupational Therapy Assistant is a joint program with Rutgers University. Students complete 33 credits of general education and required science courses at HCCC as pre-requisite to the 42 credits of professional coursework at Rutgers.
Accreditation Statement
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey is accredited by:
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational
Therapy Association (AOTA)
6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929
(301) 652-6611
accred@aota.org
www.acoteonline.org
Graduates of OTA program are eligible to sit for the certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). The graduate can obtain licensure to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in New Jersey and many other states.
Deborah McKernan-Ace
Program Director RUTGERS
675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway, NJ 08854
dam440@shp.rutgers.edu
908-889-2474
Graduation Rate for Rutgers OTA Program |
||
| Graduation Year | Student entering/graduating | Graduation rate |
| 2021 | 25/22 | 88% |
| 2020 | 29/27 | 96% |
| 2019 | 26/24 | 92% |
| Total | 79/73 | 92% |
|
The NBCOT website states a 95% pass rate. |
||
- Major
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Degree
- Occupational Therapy Assistant A.S.
Description
The Associate in Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) prepares graduates to work with and help people of all ages who are challenged by disability, trauma, and/or the aging process to participate in occupations that are necessary and meaningful for them. This 75-credit joint Associate of Science Degree Program in Occupational Therapy Assistant is a joint program with Rutgers School of Health Related Professions. Students complete 33 credits of general education and required science courses at HCCC as pre-requisite to the 42 credits of professional coursework at Rutgers. The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200 Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE's telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org Graduates of OTA program are eligible to sit for the certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). The graduate can obtain licensure to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in New Jersey and many other states.
Requirements
Complete CSS-100
| CSS-100 College Student Success |
Complete the following courses:
| ENG-101 College Composition I |
| ENG-102 College Composition II |
Complete the following courses:
| PSY-101 Introduction to Psychology |
| PHL-218 Contemporary Moral Issues |
| SOC-101 Introduction to Sociology |
Complete the following courses:
BIO-111 and BIO-211
| BIO-111 Anatomy and Physiology I |
| BIO-211 Anatomy and Physiology II |
MAT-100 or MAT-114
| MAT-100 College Algebra |
| MAT-114 Introduction Probabilities and Statistics |
Complete the following courses:
Complete PSY-260
| PSY-260 Lifespan Development |
1 Diversity Elective
This 75-credit joint A.S. Degree Program is offered in partnership with Rutgers University - School of Health Related Professions. Students complete the required science courses at HCCC as pre-requisite to the 42 credits of professional coursework at Rutgers University.
| OTA-999 Occupational Therapy Assistant |
Career options with median hourly wages within a five-mile radius of Hudson County.
Next Steps
Need more Information? Not sure your qualify?
For information on Nursing and Health Sciences careers, visit Career Coach.
If you need more information, please contact the Division Office:
201-360-4267
Ready to apply?
Visit the Admissions webpage.
Send your documents to: healthprograms@hccc.edu
Contact Information
Division of Nursing and Health Sciences
870 Bergen Avenue
Jersey City, New Jersey 07306
(201) 360-4267
healthprograms@hccc.edu