OTA Courses

OTA 1010 HUMAN OCCUPATIONS (2)
This course explores the evolving theories and models of human occupation that enable occupational therapy practitioners to engage in authentic and evidence-based intervention and practice. Students will explore and engage in the principles of client-centered care and the meaning of an occupational being and how this concept evolves and changes throughout the lifespan. Students will review the history and future of the occupational therapy profession by exploring key literature and professional documents. Students will also explore various societal and disability issues related to occupational performance.
Prerequisites: HCA 2300, PSY 2040, PSY 3410, BIO 2110 or 3060, BIO 2120 or 3080
Offered: Fall

OTA 1100 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND LEVEL IA FIELDWORK (2)
This course combines the first Level I fieldwork experience while integrating learned professional practice skills designed to enrich the students’ understanding of the client’s needs and the role and responsibilities of an occupational therapy assistant. Coursework is designed for students to connect and implement learned didactic knowledge to hands-on learning opportunities in various practice settings across the lifespan. Students will demonstrate continued development of observation and interaction skills in an occupational therapy setting under the guidance and direction of fieldwork supervisors. They will learn to employ a variety of evaluation and treatment processes, collect, and organize data, and improve their interpersonal skills to develop professional behavior among clients and staff. The student will display professional principles, ethics, and duties after completing the Level I experience.
Prerequisites: OTA 1010, OTA 1700, OTA 2000, OTA 2050, OTA 2400, OTA 2280
Offered: Spring

OTA 1200 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND LEVEL IB FIELDWORK (2)
This course combines the second Level I fieldwork experience while integrating learned professional practice skills designed to enrich the students’ understanding of the client’s needs and the role and responsibilities of an occupational therapy assistant. Coursework is designed for students to connect and implement learned didactic knowledge to hands-on learning opportunities in various practice settings across the lifespan. Students will demonstrate development of observation and interaction skills in an occupational therapy setting under the guidance and direction of fieldwork supervisors. They will learn to employ a variety of evaluation and treatment processes, collect, and organize data, and improve their interpersonal skills to develop professional behavior among clients and staff. The student will display professional principles, ethics, and duties after completing the Level I experience.
Prerequisites: OTA 1100, OTA 1700, OTA 2000, OTA 2050, OTA 2400, OTA 2280
Offered: Fall

OTA 1500 OTA BACCALAUREATE PROJECT I (2)
This is the first of a two–part series of didactic and experiential courses that provides students with the opportunity to understand and explore current, emerging, and future trends in OT practice through program development. In this initial course, the students customize the learning experience specific to the area of interest of the student to examine and explore potential developments in occupational therapy. 419 Innovative areas of practice including research, policy, clinical practice, advocacy, teaching, or leadership are analyzed. Students learn to evaluate, create, and apply roles and responsibilities during the delivery of occupational therapy services as they become familiar with the policies, procedures, and resources that support program planning.
Prerequisites: OTA 1010, OTA 1700, OTA 2000, OTA 2050, OTA 2400, OTA 2280
Offered: Spring

OTA 1600 OTA BACCALAUREATE PROJECT II (2)
The second of a two-part didactic and experiential series provides students with the opportunity to carry out through program implementation and evaluation of research, policy, clinical practice, advocacy, teaching, or leadership endeavors developing a culminating project that can influence occupational therapy practice. Students will learn community practice skills such as needs assessment and negotiating community partnerships while developing evidence driven and theory-based program. The final project demonstrates OTA program knowledge, situational problem solving, and expertise in an emerging area of practice.
Prerequisites: OTA 1500, OTA 1100, OTA 2180, OTA 2250, OTA 2300, OTA 3000, OTA 3100
Offered: fall

OTA 1700 SCREENING, ASSESSMENT, & DOCUMENTATION SKILLS FOR OT ASSISTANTS (3)
This course is designed for the OTA student to become proficient in the screening, assessment, and documentation process in partnership with an OT. The student will be trained to utilize screening and assessment knowledge and techniques for clients across the lifespan. This course will also introduce the student to concepts and strategies for OT documentation including documentation requirements, common documentation methodologies, and acceptable terminology used when documenting services.
Prerequisites: HCA 2300, PSY 2040, PSY 3410, BIO 2110 or 3060, BIO 2120 or 3080
Offered: Fall

OTA 2000 OTA PRACTICE FOUNDATIONS (3)
This course explores the foundational knowledge that drives occupational therapy practice and intervention for occupational therapy assistants. Students will explore the basis of activity and task analysis for occupational performance. Students will be introduced to concepts such as grading, adapting, and modifying tasks, as well as frames of reference that drive practice and interventions. Students will explore the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework and understand the role of the occupational therapy assistant within the framework and practice.
Prerequisites: HCA 2300, PSY 2040, PSY 3410, BIO 2110 or 3060, BIO 2120 or 3080
Offered: Fall

OTA 2050 HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT IMPACT OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE (3)
This course provides students with the understanding of the etiology of various health conditions and occupational therapy implications. This course will provide the students with the knowledge and skills needed for them to promote the client’s participation in life through engagement in occupation. The etiology, pathology, clinical course, prognosis, and medical management of these conditions will be discussed. Upon completion, students should be able to recognize common symptoms while providing for patient safety within the patient’s context and environment. Treatment settings across the continuum of care from acute hospital care to community programs are explored with the effect of these conditions on participation emphasized.
Prerequisites: HCA 2300, PSY 2040, PSY 3410, BIO 2110 or 3060, BIO 2120 or 3080
Offered: Fall

OTA 2250 APPLIED KINESIOLOGY WITH LAB (2)
This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic principles of human movement—kinesiology. During this course the student will cover topics including terminology, structures of the body associated with movement, principles of movement, analysis of movement, and how to identify anatomical landmarks through palpation skills. Upon completion, students should be proficient in identifying terms associated with movement, motions, structures, normal ranges and directions of motion, and general principles of human movement.
Prerequisites: OTA 1010, OTA 1700, OTA 2000, OTA 2050, OTA 2400, OTA 2280
Offered: Spring

OTA 2280 THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATIVE CARE (2)
This course provides foundational knowledge and training in the ability to communicate and work with individuals and groups as an essential skill for the occupational therapy assistant practitioner. Students will begin to learn and understand how to employ therapeutic use of self, activity grading, behavioral management, and group leadership skills to effect change in those served. Professional capacities of professional team roles, including the relationship between the OTA and OT will be explored, along with the practitioner’s role on an interdisciplinary team. Students will explore the ability to become culturally sensitive practitioners.
Prerequisites: HCA 2300, PSY 2040, PSY 3410, BIO 2110 or 3060, BIO 2120 or 3080
Offered: Fall

OTA 2300 INTRODUCTION TO EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE (2)
This course provides the foundational knowledge needed to apply evidence to service delivery. Students will be able to understand and apply research when selecting, implementing, and making modifications to therapeutic interventions consistent with the intervention plan and delegated responsibilities. This course provides an opportunity to grow the student’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills as the student contributes to the modification of the occupational therapy intervention plan to improve client outcomes.
Prerequisites: OTA 1010, OTA 2000
Offered: Spring

OTA 2400 PROFESSIONAL SKILLS FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS (2)
This course introduces the roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapy assistant (OTA) and the occupational therapist (OT) in occupational therapy practice and facilitates the development of professional behaviors, skills, and collaborative professional relationships. This course will introduce resources and essential skills required in contemporary professional practice and settings within the OT process. Students will learn and apply effective skills related to common diagnostic, procedural protocols and precautions, vital signs, transfers, mobility/assistive devices, orthotics, prosthetics, physical agent modalities, and exercise for engagement in occupation.
Prerequisites: HCA 2300, PSY 2040, PSY 3410, BIO 2110 or 3060, BIO 2120 or 3080
Offered: Fall

OTA 3000 OTA INTERVENTIONS FOR ADULTS AND OLDER ADULTS (3)
This course will focus on occupational therapy and physical disabilities as they pertain to the adult population; the effects of injury, insult, illness, and disease on function are explored using applicable theory and OT frames of reference to direct therapeutic approaches, planning, intervention, and discharge preparation. This course is designed to expand student understanding/application of the OT process using the OT Practice Framework to direct OT clinical practice, developing skills in evaluation, planning, implementing, and documenting client-centered, occupation and evidence-based occupational therapy assessment and intervention. Course format will include interactive lecture, discussion, case study simulation, and in-class/community lab experiences to further prepare students for Fieldwork.
Prerequisites: OTA 1010, OTA 1700, OTA 2000, OTA 2050, OTA 2400, OTA 2280
Offered: Spring

OTA 3020 OTA INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES (3)
This course provides students with the foundational knowledge that drives occupational therapy practice and intervention for the pediatric population and their families. Students will learn the primary intervention approaches for individuals and their families and will explore the differing conditions and diagnoses that lead to difficulties with occupational performance in this population. Students will explore specific assessments, treatment strategies, documentation skills, goal writing, and reimbursement issues for the pediatric population.
Prerequisites OTA 1500, OTA 1100, OTA 2180, OTA 2250, OTA 2300, OTA 3000, OTA 3100
Offered: Fall

OTA 3100 OTA INTERVENTIONS FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL CONDITIONS AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SKILLS (3)
This course is designed to provide the OTA student with knowledge on psychosocial issues across the human lifespan and help them develop behavioral health practice skills needed for working with individuals experiencing various psychosocial conditions to help them achieve participation through engagement in occupation. Students will also gain foundational skills for selection and implementation of evidence-based interventions. This course will provide the student with the basic knowledge regarding the role of occupational therapy in a psychosocial setting; etiology, clinical features, and prognosis of mental health diagnoses; historical and current OT theories; screening/assessment and treatment of individuals; planning and facilitating therapeutic groups; client safety; therapeutic use of self; and psychosocial aspects of practice. This course will also include related skills in documentation, goal planning, reimbursement, and ethical considerations that may emerge. Upon completion, students should be able to effectively plan and administer individual and group interventions for client conditions related to psychosocial dysfunction, as well as recognize context and environments that may affect occupational performance in all clinical settings.
Prerequisites: OTA 1010, OTA 1700, OTA 2000, OTA 2050, OTA 2400, OTA 2280
Offered: Spring

OTA 3150 OTA INTERVENTIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT (3)
This course will focus on assistive technology (AT) and adaptive equipment as environmental interventions to maximize client’s participation in daily activities. The topic of disability because of environmental barriers and the relationship between people and their environments will be examined. Students will study mobility devices and adaptive equipment parts/use/design/fit, adaptive ADL and IADL devices; activity analysis; architectural accessibility and universal design; ergonomics; and workplace design. Assessment and intervention strategies that maximize participation in daily activities and limits disabilities will be examined in various settings.
Prerequisites: OTA 1500, OTA 1100, OTA 2180, OTA 2250, OTA 2300, OTA 3000, OTA 3100
Offered: Fall

OTA 3180 LEADERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND ADVOCACY FOR OTAS (2)
This course examines the professional responsibilities of the occupational therapy assistant regarding their role in professional and client advocacy, leadership, and management roles. The integration of leadership knowledge and concepts relating to management and professional advocacy will be emphasized throughout the course. By the end of this course, the participants will be able to develop and nurture leadership in themselves and identify opportunities for leadership and advocacy. They will also be able to recognize the qualities of an effective leader and its relationship to the role of the OTA and manager.
Prerequisites: OTA 1010, OTA 2000, OTA 1700, OTA 2280
Offered: spring

OTA 3920 HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND COMMUNITY AND POPULATION HEALTH (3)
This course will focus on the concepts of health promotion and preventative services as it applies to occupational therapy practice for individuals and groups. Students will explore concepts of health and wellness, primary care, self-management of chronic disease, and health education. Students will learn the practice foundations of the service delivery model for groups and populations in the community and will learn to develop partnerships with community agencies to reach populations to facilitate occupational performance and wellness. Students will learn community-based practice skills including needs assessment, program planning, and program evaluation to be implemented with a community group or agency.
Prerequisites: OTA 1500, OTA 1100, OTA 2180, OTA 2250, OTA 2300, OTA 3000, OTA 3100
Offered: fall

OTA 4000 CLINICAL FIELDWORK IIA (8 WEEKS; FULL-TIME CLINICAL) (6)
This course provides clinical experience under the direct supervision of experienced occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistant practitioners working in various practice settings. The purpose of this Level II fieldwork experience is for the OTA student to integrate learned professional practice skills and demonstrate good observation, interaction skills, and implementation of interventions in an occupational therapy setting under the guidance and direction of fieldwork supervisors. Emphasis is placed on final clinical preparation for entry-level practice in the profession. The student should be able to employ a variety of evaluation and treatment processes, collect, and organize data, and utilize interpersonal skills to demonstrate professional behavior among clients and staff. The fieldwork placement may take place at hospitals, outpatient clinics, or schools. Upon completion, students should be able to meet all critical competencies for entry-level practice established by the curriculum, AOTA guidelines, and regulatory bodies.
Prerequisites: OTA 1200, OTA 1600, OTA 3020, OTA 3150, OTA 3920, OTA 4200
Offered: as needed

OTA 4100 CLINICAL FIELDWORK IIB (8 WEEKS; FULL-TIME CLINICAL) (6)
This course provides clinical experience under the direct supervision of experienced occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistant practitioners working in various practice settings. The emphasis of this second Level II fieldwork experience is for the OTA student to integrate learned professional practice skills for final clinical preparation for entry-level practice in the profession. The student should be able to employ a variety of evaluation and treatment processes, collect, and organize data, and utilize interpersonal skills to demonstrate professional behavior among clients and staff. The fieldwork placement may take place at hospitals, outpatient clinics, or schools. Upon completion, students should be able to meet all critical competencies for entry-level practice established by the curriculum, AOTA guidelines, and regulatory bodies.
Prerequisites: OTA 1200, OTA 1600, OTA 3020, OTA 3150, OTA 3920, OTA 4200
Offered: as needed

OTA 4200 PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY (1)
This course is designed for the review and integration of occupational therapy knowledge, concepts, and skills in preparation for fieldwork, completion of the NBCOT exam, and autonomous clinical practice. Students will be presented with comprehensive case scenarios that will serve as the foundation for review of content areas and focused discussions. This course concludes with comprehensive exam simulations to ensure student competency in OT content areas and safe/effective clinical reasoning/decision making skills for student practice-readiness.
Prerequisites: OTA 1500, OTA 1100, OTA 2180, OTA 2250, OTA 2300, OTA 3000, OTA 3100
Offered: as needed

OTA 4500 PROFESSIONAL TRANSITIONS (16 WEEKS; ONLINE) (2)
This online course provides closure to the educational program in conjunction with clinical experience, ensuring a successful transition of student to entry-level BS-OTA practitioner. Emphasis is placed on portfolio development, models of supervision, job search strategies, marketing skills, ethics, continuing competency, professional organizations, networking and career goal planning. The unique format and placement of this course, in conjunction with fieldwork Level II placements (2), provides opportunity to utilize reflective journaling and paired cooperative learning between student, fieldwork educator, and faculty to advance professional behavior and skill expectations to introspective professional development.
Prerequisites: OTA 1500, OTA 1100, OTA 2180, OTA 2250, OTA 2300, OTA 3000, OTA 3100
Offered: as needed