Graduation and Career Information


TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR GRADUATION THE STUDENT MUST:

  • Have a grade point average of 2.0 or above
  • Complete all general, related and occupational therapy assistant courses with a "C" or above
  • Successfully complete two level II fieldwork experiences within 18 months of classroom coursework.

    • Upon successful graduation, the student will be eligible to sit for the certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, and apply for state licensure.

                 RESULTS OF NATIONAL BOARD FOR CERTIFICATION IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (NBCOT) EXAM




    Year

    Number of Program Graduates

    Number of first-time test takers

    Number of first-time test takers who passed the exam

    Percentage of first-time test takers who passed the exam

    2009

    12

    6

    6

    100%

    2010

    18

    15

    15

    100%

    2011

    19

    13

    13

    100%

    Total 3-year

    49

    34

    34

    100%

    * December graduation with students taking the NBCOT exam the next year


    Please note: A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification  Examination or apply for state licensure.

    After graduation, the graduate is considered an Occupational Therapy Assistant who will be able to:

    1. Plan and carry out Occupational Therapy intervention program, with appropriate supervision, to prevent deficits and to maintain or improve function in daily living skills and in underlying components, e.g., muscle strength, range of motion, coordination, cognition, and visual-spatial perceptions.

    2. Participate in managing Occupational Therapy services.

    3. Direct activity programs.

    4. Incorporate values and attitudes congruent with the profession's standards and ethics.

    CAREER INFORMATION

    The job outlook for Occupational Therapy Assistants is excellent. Occupational Therapy Assistants are employed in both traditional and nontraditional settings including: acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, nursing homes, home health agencies, and mental health facilities. The salary range for the area for entry-level OTA's range from $35,000 to $40,000. Additional career information can be obtained through the career center at the Ashtabula Campus. The career center houses information on selecting occupational therapy assistant technology as a career, yearly updates on employment trends, and yearly updates on graduate employment outlooks. General information on occupational therapy assistant programs is also available.

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