Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

How to Read Course Descriptions

The bolded first line begins with a capitalized abbreviation that designates the subject area followed by the course number and title. The number of credits earned by taking the courses is also displayed.

The course description is a brief summary of the purpose of the course and the topics covered. Any requisite courses are listed and could include the following:

Courses showing the abbreviation “COREQ” require simultaneous registration with each course named as a corequisite.
The abbreviation “PRE-or-COREQ” means that each course named may have been taken prior to or may be taken concurrently with the course for which it is required.
Courses showing the abbreviation “PREREQ” require the courses named as prerequisites to have been taken previously.

If the course can be applied towards a General Education Objective, the applicable Objective is listed.

To assist with your academic planning, courses in the Undergraduate Catalog are designated according to the semester they are usually offered. Unanticipated faculty vacancies and academic program changes may affect future course scheduling. Therefore, students should always contact the academic department to verify future course offerings, especially when specific courses are needed for graduation.

The following letters which appear after the course descriptions indicate the anticipated course scheduling:

F = Fall Semester, every year
S = Spring Semester, every year
Se = Sequential; a series of courses is presented until all have been taught.
Su = Summer Semester, every year
EF, ES, ESu = Even-numbered years, Fall, Spring, or Summer Semester
OF, OS, OSu = Odd-numbered years, Fall, Spring, or Summer Semester
D = Students should contact the Department to ask when this course will be offered.
R1 = Course is rotated every year, either Fall or Spring
R2 = Course is rotated every two years, either Fall or Spring
R3 = Course is rotated every three years, either Fall or Spring

How to Read Course Descriptions

Courses

OTA 1102 Foundations of Occupational Therapy: 2 semester hours.

This course introduces the student to the profession of occupational therapy and the health care system. The holistic approach of occupation as a concept and an orientation to ethics is provided. Information is presented that relates to the role of the occupational therapy assistant and includes the purpose, philosophy, and history of the profession. PREREQ: Acceptance into the program. F

OTA 1107 Therapeutic Activities: 3 semester hours.

This course will provide a conceptual overview of activity analysis and practice skill in the therapeutic use of technology, manual arts, media, and activity (occupation). Planning, preparation, learning methods, and safety factors are emphasized. Therapeutic occupations will be approached using occupational therapy terminology from the Practice Framework Domain and Process. COREQ: Acceptance into program. F

OTA 1110 Theory and Treatment of Psychosocial Dysfunction: 4 semester hours.

This course will present descriptions of psychosocial dysfunction commonly treated in occupational therapy. Theories of occupational therapy treatment will be explored and students will practice a variety of techniques used in identifying and treating psychosocial disorders to promote rehabilitative change. Reading assignments, discussions, presentations, practice application of standardized assessments in lab, and structured learning activities will be utilized to prepare students to interact effectively and safely in psychosocial treatment situations. PREREQ: Acceptance into the OTA program. OTA 1102, OTA 1107, PSYC 3301. S

OTA 1115 Level I Fieldwork Placement I: 1 semester hour.

This course will provide directed observation and participation in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process to introduce students to the OTA field. PREREQ: Acceptance into OTA program. F

OTA 1117 Neurological Theory and Treatment: 4 semester hours.

Students will review basic neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and learn pathologies commonly seen in occupational therapy. Students will be introduced to concepts of rehabilitation and accepted treatment techniques through application of treatment principles in lab. Study of normal movement, abnormal movement, and the developmental sequence is included at the entry level of practice. PREREQ: HO 1111 or BIOL 3301 and BIOL 3302 or BIOL 2227 and BIOL 2228, OTA 1102, OTA 1107, OTA 1124. S

OTA 1121 Level I Fieldwork Placement 2: 1 semester hour.

This course is a continuation of Level 1 fieldwork and will provide directed observation and participation in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process. PREREQ: OTA 1115. S

OTA 1124 Human Movement for Occupation: 3 semester hours.

This course presents a study of the kinetics of human motion. Emphasis will be placed on normal motion and movement patterns in the context of activity and Occupational Therapy. Procedures for range of motion, manual muscle testing and movement analysis will be reinforced. The course will also introduce biomechanical principles, postural considerations and functional characteristics of the musculoskeletal system. PREREQ: Acceptance into the program. F

OTA 2210 Theory and Treatment of Physical Dysfunction: 4 semester hours.

The student will learn about physical pathologies, conditions, and disabilities commonly seen in occupational therapy as well as current evidence-based treatment techniques and methods. Treatment applications and rationale will be explored in lecture and laboratory with simulated treatment practice. PREREQ: Second-year student in good standing. BIOL 1101, HO 1111 or BIOL 3301 and BIOL 3302 or BIOL 2227 and BIOL 2228, OTA 1117. F

OTA 2211 Professional Transitions: 2 semester hours.

This course provides closure to the educational program following Fieldwork II placements. Emphasis is on portfolio development of treatment ideas and presentation, program evaluation, Fieldwork II experience analysis and synthesis, and final preparation for the certification examination. Upon completion, students should be able to enter the occupational therapy work force with supportive documentation demonstrating progress toward meeting critical competencies set forth by the curriculum. PREREQ: Second-year student in good standing. OTA 1115 OTA 1121. F

OTA 2212 Occupational Therapy Practice Management: 2 semester hours.

Students will develop knowledge of responsibilities required to provide occupational therapy in a community or health care setting. Responsibilities include operations, supervisory requirements, quality assurance, and compliance with regulations. Planning and management of activity service programs are also included. Occupational therapy discussions will include current topics and issues in practice, promotion of the profession, and the changing role from student to practitioner. PREREQ: OTA 1102. S

OTA 2216 Pediatric Theory and Treatment: 4 semester hours.

Students will be introduced to commonly treated disorders in children and developmentally disabled individuals. Occupational therapy treatment techniques, rationale and application are presented. Laboratory experience will include entry level treatment skills and simulated treatment practice using purposeful activities (occupation). PREREQ: Second-year student in good standing. OTA 1110 and OTA 1117. F

OTA 2221 Level II Fieldwork Placement 1: 7 semester hours.

Students will participate in 8 week, full-time (or 320 hours) supervised clinical fieldwork experience in preparation for entry-level practice. Practice settings may include traditional and/or emerging practice areas. Students will integrate academic knowledge, including human growth/development, disease/disability, psychosocial factors, and client-centered, occupation-based treatment interventions in the provision of occupational therapy services across the lifespan. Outside assignments are required. PREREQ: Second-year student in good standing. All academic coursework (Year 1: Fall and Spring course sequence) must be completed with a C or better prior to beginning Level II Fieldwork. S

OTA 2222 Level II Fieldwork Placement 2: 7 semester hours.

Students will participate in 8 week, full-time (or 320 hours) supervised clinical fieldwork experience in preparation for entry-level practice. Practice settings may include traditional and/or emerging practice areas. Students will integrate academic knowledge, including human growth/development, disease/disability, psychosocial factors, and client-centered, occupation-based treatment interventions in the provision of occupational therapy services across the lifespan. Outside assignments are required. PREREQ: Second-year student in good standing. All academic coursework (Year 1: Fall, Spring Summer. Year 2: Fall, Spring course sequence) must be completed with a C or better prior to beginning Level II Fieldwork. PRE-or-COREQ: OTA 2221. S

OTA 2296 Independent Study: 1-8 semester hours.

Addresses specific learning needs of individuals for the enhancement of knowledge and skills within the program area under the guidance of an instructor. May be repeated. PREREQ: Permission of the instructor. D

OTA 2298 Special Topics: 1-8 semester hours.

This course is designed to address the specific needs of individuals. It will enable the students to upgrade their technical skills through part-time enrollment in units of instruction that are currently available through the program's full-time pre-employment curriculum. PREREQ: Permission of instructor.