What?

• 69 credits- Associate of Science degree in OTA Studies
• Eligible to take required national Certification exam for a state license to practice OT
• 5 Clinical experiences
  • 3 part time - 36 hours required during each specified term
    •  
      • - University assigns site for each experience
      • - Student arranges specific schedule with site supervisor
  • 2  full time clinical rotations - 8 weeks each
    •  
      • - University assigns site and schedule in Year 2 Spring and Summer terms

When?

• 5 accelerated terms per year, two courses per term, 23 months to completion
  • September-November-February-April-June
• Each term runs for 8 weeks with Fall term entry into the Program
  • Lectures 2 evenings per week and on Saturday morning
  • Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings  6:00 – 10:00 PM  and Saturday 9:00 AM – 1PM

Where?

• Classes scheduled at  
  • Main Campus, School House Lane & Henry Avenue, Philadelphia, PA (most) directions
  • Bucks County Technology Center, Trevose, PA (some)  directions
  • Area OT service delivery facilities by arrangement (some)

How?

• First step –complete application (no fee)
• HS diploma or GED
• Other requirements (listed on the OTA Application)

• Official (sealed) high school transcript and college transcripts (if applicable)
• Personal statement about career goals
• Resume
• 2 OT site visits  (OT site visit form required)
  • Candidates to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Studies program will be expected to share firsthand knowledge of Occupational Therapy gained through a minimum of visits to two distinctly different occupational therapy sites. For example, long term care/rehab and pediatric out-patient or school based.
  • There is no minimum time requirement for the visits to the occupational therapy settings.  You may want to plan your time with each OT so that you gather enough info to reflect on the following:

  - Describe the individuals who are being treated at this facility- age range, gender and a sample of diagnosis.

  - What interventions were being used by the OT practitioners?

  - What was the atmosphere of the setting?

• The observations that you make should contribute to your understanding of OT and prepare you for your interview with the OTA faculty.
• In person Interview with OTA faculty

• No SATs, No prerequisite courses
• May transfer in maximum of 9 credits- Human Biology with a lab, College Algebra and/or Introduction to Psychology prior to fall entry to OTA program

How Much?

• Approximately $555 credit
• Year 1: 33 credits- $18315  Year 2: 36 credits- $19980

How to get more info?

• Call 215-951-2900  and request an OTA application package or email your mailing address to:evening@philau.edu .

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

• I printed out the application.  Is there a fee to have the application processed? 
  No –there is NO application fee. You can begin to send info piece by piece or you can wait and send it all together, as you prefer. Applicant Checklist

• I also contacted a local Occupational Therapy facility to request a tour and observation of the practices.  Is there some sort of report or analysis of my experience that I should include in the application packet or will I have the opportunity to discuss my experience during the interview process?   Both. The OT site visit form will document your visit.  OT Site Visit form

• I understand that entry to the program is in the fall.  Is it possible for me to take a course(s) (i.e. English, Math, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, etc) during the summer, then transfer them to the Associates Degree?  Only 3 courses may be considered for transfer credit College Algebra, Introduction to Psychology and Human Biology with a lab. You could take a summer course but you may get credit for some basic education courses if you have already taken a comparable college level course. Once we receive your official transcripts we can evaluate what credits you may transfer in and advise you as to what summer courses to consider prior to starting the program.

• Does the website provide a list of the courses needed to complete the Associates Degree?  Yes. The Program Overview lists the courses and the course sequence. You can receive additional information by calling 215-951-2900 and requesting an OTA application packet. Hyperlink program Overview

• In addition to my college transcripts, are my high school transcripts required to apply for the program?
  Yes, it is a University policy that we have “official” transcripts on file from your high school.

• How much time must I spend at each onsite visit? There is no minimum time requirement for the visits to the OT settings.  You may want to plan your time with each OT so that you gather enough info to reflect on the following: Describe the individuals who are being treated at this facility- age range, gender and a sample of diagnosis. What interventions were being used by the OT practitioners? What was the atmosphere of the setting? The observations that you make should contribute to your understanding of OT and prepare you for your interview with the OTA faculty. The time you spend and how you spend that time at each setting is at the discretion of your OT “host”.

• What skills do I need to bring into the program in order to be successful as an OTA Student? There are certain physical, cognitive and social-emotional factors that are considered essential functions for an OT practitioner. The Essential Functions worksheet may help you determine your readiness for the program.