Occupational Therapy (OT) is the use of everyday life activities (occupations) with individuals who have limitations. These limitations may include physical or mental health and developmental or learning abilities. Individuals may also be limited by poverty and cultural differences or the aging process. OT is used to prevent disability and maintain health in the areas of work, play, leisure, education, communication interaction, and activities of daily living.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program includes general and technical courses and supervised fieldwork experiences. The Level II Fieldwork experience must be completed within 18 months of finishing the OTAC academic courses. The Level II Fieldwork courses, OTAC 2225 and OTAC 2235, may be taken in the 2nd summer semester or the 3rd fall semester.

Enrollment in the OTA program may be limited due to the availability of fieldwork sites. Acceptance by the College does not constitute acceptance into the OTA program. Students are considered to be “Pre-OTA” until they have been accepted to enroll in OTA courses. Interested students must complete an OTA program application in order to be considered for enrollment in the OTA program. Students interested in enrolling in this major are encouraged to contact OTA faculty to find out the specific requirements for admission into this program.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant, Administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) One Bank Street Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (301) 990-7979. After successful completion of the exam, the graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Program Learner Outcomes

1. Student will perform entry-level competencies, based on occupational therapy standards.
2. Student will implement occupations-based interventions in collaboration with consumers, families, and other service providers.
3. Student will perform entry-level practice competencies safely and proficiently in traditional and emerging areas of practice.
4. Student will communicate effectively with consumers, families, and other service providers.
5. Student will demonstrate ethical and professional behavior while displaying respect for diversity of culture, age, and gender.
6. Student will demonstrate the needed skills to be lifelong learners in the profession of Occupational Therapy.

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Northland Community & Technical College have completed the certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). National certification examination outcomes for 2023:

• Six individuals graduated from the Northland OTA program during this period.

• Six new graduates took the national certification exam during this period.

• Six of those new graduates passed the national certification exam during this period.

• 100% of Northland OTA new graduates who took the national certification exam during this time passed the exam during that period.

The total number of graduates who passed the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification examination as new graduate test takers in 2022 was 5 out of 9, which is a 56% pass rate. During this time period, the OTA program had 6 graduates.

Results of National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Examination

The OTA program at Northland has a 68% graduation rate for the period of 2019-2021. The percentages of students who enrolled in the program and graduated within two years are:

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

Licensure & Certifications

Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant, Administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) One Bank Street Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (301) 990-7979. After successful completion of the exam, the graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Additional Program Resources