Introduction to Occupational Therapy Assistant – Pediatrics

Introduction to Occupational Therapy Assistant – Pediatrics

This curriculum is designed to academically prepare students to apply for the restricted admissions AAS Occupational Therapy Assistant program and to gain a job ready skill in health professions. Competencies include child health and nutrition, growth and development, behavioral support strategies, and teaching art, music, and movement. Students should be aware that completion of this program does not guarantee admission into the AAS Occupational Therapy Assistant program.

Employment opportunities include positions in childcare centers, Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms, family day care homes, preschool programs, centers for children with special needs, residential childcare facilities, and industry associated centers.

Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.

Application for Accreditation

The associate-degree-level occupational therapy assistant program will apply for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929 by 12/16/2024.

ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a preaccreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates 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). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

Once candidacy status is achieved a Fall 2025 start date is anticipated.