OTA Course Descriptions

OTA 101: Introduction to Occupational Therapy

• 3 credit hours
• Course ID: 006868
• Introduces the profession of occupational therapy by examination of history, philosophy, and theoretical foundations. Examines roles of Occupational Therapist (OT) and Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) with respect to education, credential, employment settings, and ethics. Outlines usage of Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, medical terminology, group dynamics, and communication skills.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program or permission of instructor.
  • Lecture/Lab: 3.0 credits (90 contact hours).
  • Components: Lecture

OTA 116: Media Principles and Procedures I

• 2 credit hours
• Course ID: 006882
• Develops skills in planning, implementing and evaluating occupational therapy for individuals experiencing deficits in occupational performance through the analysis of human occupation and subsequent methods of remediating, compensating, grading, and/or modifying activities and environments for optimal occupational performance. Develops communication skills necessary for documentation and patient interaction. Focuses on appropriate treatment and need for awareness of ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic factors that impact individuals. Provides opportunities for students to develop skills in activity analysis, functional mobility, therapeutic crafts, and modalities.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Lab: 2.0 credits (90 contact hours).
  • Components: Laboratory

OTA 126: Level IA Fieldwork

• 1 credit hours
• Course ID: 006870
• Provides the opportunity to observe and participate in various settings appropriate to occupational therapy service but not necessarily within a therapy department or under an occupational therapy professional. Provides opportunities to develop entry-level skills in the occupational therapy process with hands-on interaction as appropriate. Encourages development of professional behaviors and effective communication skills.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Clinical: 1.0 credit (60 contact hours).
  • Components: Clinical

OTA 136: Physical Dysfunction

• 4 credit hours
• Course ID: 006871
• Includes study of physical conditions commonly seen by Occupational Therapy, including diagnoses, instruction on treatment, and application of treatment. Introduces practice models to guide treatment applications, including procedures for multiple conditions in physical dysfunction.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Lecture/Lab: 4.0 credits (120 contact hours).
  • Components: Lecture

OTA 146: Occupational Therapy in Mental Health

• 3 credit hours
• Course ID: 006872
• Presents typical and dysfunctional behavior using the occupational therapy process as it pertains to mental health practice settings. Explores alternative methods and settings for mental health practice. Covers training and practice in interpersonal skills necessary for effective communication with clients, families, significant others, other health care professionals, and the public.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Lecture/Lab: 3.0 credits (75 contact hours).
  • Components: Lecture

OTA 206: Community Practice

• 2 credit hours
• Course ID: 006873
• Explores the current and emerging practice areas of occupational therapy in the immediate and future needs. Focuses on occupation-based practice, holism, wellness, and prevention models applied throughout the lifespan.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Lecture/Lab: 2.0 credits (60 contacts)
  • Components: Lecture

OTA 216: Media Principles and Procedures II

• 2 credit hours
• Course ID: 006884
• Provides students the opportunity to apply skills in evaluating and planning occupational therapy for individuals experiencing deficits in occupational performance in a safe and efficient manner. Develops assessment skills in order to plan appropriate treatments applicable to deficits in occupational performance, including fabrication of orthotics and adaptive equipment and techniques. Develops communication skills necessary for documentation and patient interaction. Provides opportunities for students to develop skills in assessment, adaptations, orthotics and appropriate treatment with awareness of ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic factors that impact individuals.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Lab: 2.0 credits (90 contact hours).
  • Components: Laboratory

OTA 226: Level IB Fieldwork

• 1 credit hour
• Course ID: 006874
• Provides the opportunity to observe and participate in various settings appropriate to occupational therapy service but not necessarily within a therapy department or under an occupational therapy professional. Provides opportunities to develop intermediate skills in the occupational therapy process. Provides opportunities for students to advance therapeutic skills and to generalize skills and knowledge from the classroom to the practice setting. Hones professional behaviors and communication skills established in previous occupational therapy classes.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Clinical: 1.0 credit (60 contact hours).
  • Components: Clinical

OTA 236: Professional Transitions and Management

• 2 credit hours
• Course ID: 006875
• Explores professional issues related to the transition from student to practitioner, the relationships the occupational therapy assistant (OTA) has with other health care professionals, identification of licensure and certification requirements, professional memberships, job search strategies, methods of reimbursement, and formulation of professional resources to become a successful entry level therapist.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Lecture: 2.0 credits (30 contact hours).
  • Components: Lecture

OTA 246: Pediatric Issues in Occupational Therapy

• 3 credit hours
• Course ID: 006876
• Examines occupational therapy in the pediatric population. Investigates how physical, emotional, and cognitive processes begin, change, and develop from birth through adolescence. Addresses concepts of occupation in pediatrics. Encourages students to view treatments holistically while learning normal developmental milestones and various disabilities.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Lecture/Lab: 3.0 credits (75 contact hours).
  • Components: Lecture

OTA 256: Elder Issues in Occupational Therapy

• 2 credit hours
• Course ID: 006877
• Explores the concerns for occupational therapy in the aging population. Examines how physical, emotional and cognitive processes change through adulthood. Discusses the concepts of occupational therapy throughout the life span employing a holistic approach to intervention.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Lecture/Lab: 2.0 credits (60 contact hours).
  • Components: Lecture

OTA 266: Level IIA Fieldwork

• 5 credit hours
• Course ID: 006878
• Provides opportunity to function in various clinical settings under supervision of experienced occupational therapy practitioner. Promotes collaboration with the Occupational Therapist in planning/implementation of treatment programs with clients with a variety of diagnoses and ages. Cultivates skills necessary to function at entry-level of practice through the first of two successive fieldwork rotations in unique healthcare settings/institutions.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Practicum: 5.0 credits (300 contact hours).
  • Components: Practicum

OTA 276: Level IIB Fieldwork

• 5 credit hours
• Course ID: 006879
• Provides opportunity to function in various clinical settings under supervision of experienced occupational therapy practitioner. Promotes collaboration with the Occupational Therapist in planning/implementation of treatment programs with clients with a variety of diagnoses and ages. Strengthens complex skills, including critical thinking, required for entry-level of practice through the final of two successive fieldwork rotations in unique healthcare settings/institutions.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Practicum: 5.0 credits (300 contact hours).
  • Components: Practicum

OTA 286: Clinical Seminar

• 2 credit hours
• Course ID: 006880
• Provides students an opportunity to share information from their clinical site with both the academic instructor and their classmates. Emphasizes application of information learned to other situations. Prepares students for National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification examination.
  • Pre-requisite: Admission to OTA program and permission of instructor.
  • Co-requisite: OTA 266 OR OTA 276.
  • Lecture: 2.0 credits (30 contact hours).
  • Components: Lecture