Occupational Therapy Assistant
Associate of Applied Science
Division: STEM and Health Professions
Division Chair: Kathleen Hopkins, khopkins@sunyrockland.edu
Department Chair: Donna Knoebel, dknoebel@sunyrockland.edu
Fieldwork Coordinator: Kathy Babcock, kbabcock@sunyrockland.edu
Department Support Staff: Rochelle Mezoff, rmezoff@sunyrockland.edu
Department Office: Technology Center, Room 8323, Phone: 845-574-4436
Why Study in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program?
Occupational therapy is a health and rehabilitation profession that helps people regain or attain more productive, satisfying or independent lives. Injuries, developmental or emotional problems, diseases or physical challenges impact and disrupt people’s lives and can create difficulties in doing everyday tasks. Under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist, an Occupational Therapy Assistant can work with people to address their needs and the psychosocial, cognitive and physical aspects of tasks that may have affected that person’s health and quality of life. The U.S. Department of Labor website predicts an increased demand for trained personnel in this field, due partially to the growing population of senior citizens.
Degrees Offered:
Occupational Objectives:
This Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program prepares students to begin a career as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in New York State. If a student decides to continue academically toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree or become a registered Occupational Therapist, additional general education courses will then need to be completed.
5 Top Reasons
To Study Occupational Therapy Assistant at RCC:
- VALUE: Affordable tuition, financial aid, scholarships.
- FACULTY: Caring instruction by licensed OT and OTAs with current field experience.
- CAREER: Internships and our OTA lab provide real-world experience.
- FLEXIBILITY: Part-time study can accommodate work, family or other time commitments. On-campus childcare available.
- SUPPORT: Small class sizes, more individual attention, free tutoring.
Opportunities at Rockland Community College:
There are more than 40 student clubs, with activities to explore your special interests and socialize, with one club just for OTA students. Program instructors are all licensed occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants currently in practice. OTA courses are taught at the main campus in the occupational therapy labs. Upon completion of academic coursework, two for-credit internships are required, and are provided at a variety of settings where occupational therapy services are delivered.
Program Goals:
The degree will provide students with a high-quality, client-centered program that will teach them the ethics, values and beliefs of the occupational therapy profession. Students will understand and develop respect for the complexities of human diversity.
The RCC OTA program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE's telephone number, c/o AOTA, is 301-652-AOTA.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to work under the supervision of and in cooperation with the registered occupational therapist
- Understand and uphold the ethical standards, values, and attitudes of the occupational therapy profession
- Demonstrate competency in written and oral communication
- Develop an educational foundation in the liberal arts and sciences, including a focus on issues related to diversity
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program has a special admissions process with an information session for prospective students each month. Please call 845-574-4436 for detailed information about upcoming information sessions. The OTA department office is located in the Technology Center, Room 8300.