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OTA Program Facts

What is the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program like at CCRI?

Most prerequisite courses for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program can be taken on any CCRI campus. The OTA program courses are offered in an evening/weekend format on the Newport County Campus. Fieldwork experiences are scheduled during the day and typically run from Monday – Friday.

The program integrates classroom preparation and clinical practice. General education courses such as English Composition, Oral Communication, Anatomy, Physiology, Introduction to College Math, General Psychology, and Developmental Psychology enhance the Occupational Therapy Assistant program core courses. Courses include laboratory sessions to learn and practice hands on skills required to be an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist or certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, students participate in fieldwork experiences in a variety of occupational therapy settings where skills learned in the classroom are practiced.

As you consider choosing a program to prepare you for a lifelong career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, consider how CCRI can provide you with a superior educational experience.

  • The CCRI Occupational Therapist Assistant Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
  • As a state school, CCRI provides you with an affordable, high quality education for under $17,000, thousands of dollars less than other schools.
  • The CCRI OTA faculty hold degrees in the field of Occupational Therapy as well as years of clinical practice in neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation, hand therapy, pediatrics, burns, trauma, psychiatry, developmental delays, early intervention, and work hardening.
  • OTA Program faculty are dedicated to student success, and committed to excellence in preparing students for careers as Occupational Therapist Assistants.
  • The CCRI OTA Program offers a well established and refined curriculum which facilitates the development of hands-on and clinical reasoning skills required for successful practice in a variety of Occupational Therapy settings.
  • CCRI provides a strong network of student support services such as supplemental classroom instruction and peer tutoring through The Tutoring Center.

How can I prepare myself for the Occupational Therapist Assistant Program?

Interested students should enroll in OCTA 1000: Introduction to Occupational Therapy and RHAB 1010: Medical Terminology for Rehab Health courses at CCRI to further explore this career path and as preparation for success in the OTA curriculum. In addition, students will need to complete BIOL 2201: Human Anatomy & Physiology I and ENGL 1010: Composition I in order to be eligible to apply to the OTA Program. Students should consider completing the recommended online RHAB 1100: Foundational Kinesiology to further prepare for OTA Program lab science courses. High school students can take RHAB 1100: Foundational Kinesiology and RHAB 1010: Medical Terminology for Rehab Health online during their senior year.

What is the process for application to the program?

All students wishing to apply to the OTA program must complete all prerequisite courses with a “C” or better except they must earn a "B-" or better in BIOL 2201: Human Anatomy & Physiology I, OCTA 1000: Introduction to the Occupational Therapy, and RHAB 1010: Medical Terminology for Rehab Health. They also must have a GPA of at least 2.7. Performance Based Applications are accepted in February, following completion of the preadmission requirements.

If I apply, what are the chances of getting accepted?

Once the minimum requirements to apply are completed, applicants are rank ordered for acceptance through the performance based application process. BCI checks are required for those accepted into the program. A felony conviction will not preclude admission to the program. However, it can impact Level I and II fieldwork placement availability, as well as graduate eligibility for certification and credentialing.

Where can I get more information about the program?