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Advising Checklist
Apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Essential Functions of an OTA Student
OTA Program Costs
OTA Program Course Sequence
OTA Program Course Descriptions
OTA Fieldwork
OTA Student Handbook
OTA FAQ’s
OTA Graduation Requirements
OTA Faculty
Must be completed or in progress by the fall semester before program entry.
The grades in these courses earn quality points toward admission to the program.
Must be formally admitted to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program to take OTA courses.
Admission to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is competitive. Applicants compete for admission based on the sum of quality points and points earned for TEAS. Applicants earn quality points by completing the general education and recommended courses required for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program with a C or better.
| Criteria | Points Calculation |
|---|---|
| Quality Points for General Education Courses | Multiply credit hours by quality point value (A=4, B=3, C=2) for each course completed with a grade of C or better. |
| Total Quality Points | Sum of quality points from all general education and recommended courses based on the best grade earned. |
| GPA Calculation | Divide total quality points by total credit hours attempted in general education and recommended courses. |
| TEAS Points | Awarded based on total score: 90% or greater earns 20 points, between 76% and 89% earns 12 points, between 61% and 75% earns 6 points, between 40% and 60% earns 2 points, and less than 40% earns 0 points. |
Pitt County Schools Health Sciences Academy (PCSHSA) graduates who participated in the Health Sciences Academy in their junior and senior years of high school, earned college credit for general education courses required for their program of interest with an “A” or “B,” and fulfilled all responsibilities of the Health Sciences Academy program will receive a 10% increase to their quality point calculation. These points are awarded to PCSHSA graduates who have graduated within five years prior to enrollment in a health sciences program at PCC. PCSHSA graduates are not guaranteed acceptance into any health sciences program.
Students admitted to health sciences programs are required to complete a clinical practicum. Clinical facilities may require criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, professional license checks, and/or proof of US citizenship prior to or during participation in the clinical portion of a program. Any expenses associated with these requirements are the responsibility of the student. Pending the outcome, clinical facilities may deny a student the opportunity to complete the clinical portion of a program. A student who is unable to complete the clinical portion of a program will not be able to graduate. Criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, professional license checks, and/or proof of US citizenship may also be required after graduation by examination boards, state licensing boards, and employment agencies. Pending the outcome, a graduate may be disqualified from examination eligibility, state licensure, and/or employment.
Students admitted to health sciences programs are required to have a physical examination to determine if they are physically and emotionally capable of performing the essential functions of the program and must submit a completed medical form. A record of immunizations, including, but not limited to, an annual Influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine must be included with the medical form. A medical or religious exemption for vaccines must be approved by the clinical site(s). PCC does not grant vaccine exemptions in lieu of the clinical site(s) and does not guarantee vaccine exemptions will be approved by the clinical site(s).
Programs at PCC that prepare students for professional licensure are designed to prepare a student to apply for applicable licensure in North Carolina. In order to ensure whether the program meets requirements for professional licensure outside North Carolina, PCC recommends the student contact the program director prior to enrolling in the program.
It is the policy of PCC not to discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, handicap, religion, age, or national origin in the recruitment and admission of students; the recruitment, employment, training, and promotion of faculty and staff; and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by federal laws and regulations. PCC is an equal opportunity institution.
Health Sciences admissions policies are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between PCC and students. PCC reserves the right to change any provisions or requirements at any time. Every effort will be made to minimize the inconvenience such changes create for students.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) curriculum prepares individuals to work under the supervision of a registered/licensed occupational therapist in screening, assessing, planning, and implementing treatment and documenting progress for clients receiving occupational therapy services.
Course work includes human growth and development, conditions which interfere with activities of daily living, theory and process of occupational therapy, individual/group treatment activities, therapeutic use of self, activity analysis, and grading/adapting activities and environments.
Upon graduation, graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). Employment opportunities include but are not limited to hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, long-term/skilled nursing facilities, schools, home health programs, and community programs.
The Pitt Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’S telephone number, c/o AOTA, is 301-652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.
Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of the exam, graduates will be recognized as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states, including North Carolina, require practicing therapists to obtain licensure. Please note that a felony conviction may affect a student’s opportunity to sit for the NBCOT certification exam and obtain a state license. Students are encouraged to contact NBCOT for questions related to certification.
The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) has compiled program outcome data for occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs throughout the nation. For more information, visit the NBCOT website.
The total number of graduates from the Pitt Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant program during the 3 year-period of 2022-2024 was 46, with an overall graduation rate of 79%.
| Graduation Year | Completed according to the program outline timeline | Completed within 150% of expected time | Students Entering Program | Non-completer (for reasons other than academic & clinical performance) | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 18 | 1 | 23 | 3 | 95% |
| 2024 | 12 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 63% |
| 2025 | 12 | 2 | 20 | 4 | 88% |
| TOTAL | 42 | 3 | 62 | 7 | 82% |
A portion of the OTA curriculum courses may be offered via distance education. Please review our Distance Education pages for each type of distance education course, as well as the qualifications and policies.
Hospitals
Rehabilitation Facilities (Inpatient & Outpatient)
Schools
Home Health Programs
Community Programs
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Psychiatric Hospital
Private Clinics
Fundamentals of OT
OT Media I & II
Assessment Skills
Professional Skills I & II
Life Span Skills I & II
Physical Conditions
Psychosocial Conditions
Fieldwork I – Placement 1, 2, and 3
Fieldwork II – Placement 1 and 2
Peds Concepts and Interventions
Adult Concepts and Interventions
Students will demonstrate knowledge necessary to perform as an entry-level practitioner. Students will demonstrate skills necessary to perform as an entry-level practitioner. Students will demonstrate professional behavior and attitudes necessary to perform as an entry-level practitioner. Students will demonstrate critical thinking. Students will communicate competently and professionally. Students will demonstrate the use of computerized technology for care of the OTA patient. Students will broaden their knowledge of the profession of occupational therapy in other countries by identifying the differences in educational requirements and scope of practice. Students will prepare for the NBCOT Certification Exam.
Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant