Additional Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Requirements
- Background Check
- Physical Exam
- Texas Success Initiative
- Bacterial Meningitis immunization for students under 30
- Malpractice/Liability Insurance
- TB Test
- Hepatitis B
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
- Program Prerequisites
Lone Star College System Policy is consistent with Texas law as to requirements and admission of any resident or non-resident student. For admission and tuition purposes, residency is defined within Texas Education Code §54.052. In addition, LSCS will notify students prior to, but not as a condition or requirement of admission, that health care facilities will require students to have a Social Security number or a Visa as a condition of being assigned to a clinical facility. Students who are unable to complete the LSCS health program clinical skills requirement will not be able to complete the program due to a lack of clinical placement. Additionally, LSCS will notify students that a Social Security number or a Visa may be required for a background check, and may also be required for taking the licensing examination upon completion of program requirements.
Applicants must meet the college’s general admission criteria as well as program admission criteria and submit all documentation to the occupational therapy assistant office at Lone Star College–Tomball (Fall program start) or Lone Star College-Kingwood (Spring program start).
Program Admission Criteria include:
1. Apply to Lone Star College System.
2. Complete and submit application packet to the LSC college of your choice by the posted deadlines. LSC-Kingwood applications are due by September 30th to be considered for program admission for the following spring semester. LSC-Tomball applications are due by the last Tuesday in April to be considered for program admission the following fall semester.
LSC-Kingwood LSC-Tomball Norma Ticas - M Ed, OTR Terra Ruppert, OTR, Ph.D. Director, OTA Program Director, OTA Program 20000 Kingwood Drive 700 Graham Drive Kingwood, Texas 77339 Tomball, Texas 77375
3. Submit Compass scores or other LSC approved test scores showing placement into ENGL 1301 and Math 0310. English and math placement may also be satisfied by successful completion of ENGL 0305, 0307 and Math 0308.
4. Submit an official transcript from all colleges attended other than Lone Star College System.
5. Complete a minimum of ten hours of general education course credit with a minimum 2.5 GPA (with no grade below a "C") to include ENGL 1301, BIOL 2401 and 3 hours of a general education course required in the degree plan. Note: LSC-Kingwood applicants need to complete PSYC 2301 to meet this requirement.
6. If all other college experience has already been evaluated by the Records Department of the Lone Star College System (degree audit), you may submit a copy of this official evaluation.
7. Initial student ranking is based on the following criteria:
· Ten hours of completed coursework· Number of general education courses completed from degree plan.· GPA is based on all hours taken within the degree plan.· Previous degree earned· Experience as an aide to an occupational therapy practitioner (school aide, psychiatric technician, rehabilitation aide, etc.).· Number of times course(s) in degree plan taken.· Observation hours: non-paid time observing (job-shadow) with an occupational therapy practitioner (optional).8. The top-ranking applicants, based on this initial information, will be invited for an interview. Interviewees will be notified by telephone or in writing of the time, date and location of the interview. In addition, interviewees will be required to complete a writing sample as well as a healthcare admissions exam (to be paid for by the applicant) at the time of interview. Upon completion of the interview, admissions examination, and writing samples, applicants will be re-ranked with the top applicants chosen to join the program.
9. Students are conditionally accepted into the program pending a clear criminal background check in order to complete the fieldwork rotations (clinical). Students are responsible for paying all fees and working with the background check company to clear up any reporting discrepancies. Students may also be asked to complete a drug screening at their own expense based on clinical site requirements.
10. LSC tuition & fees can be found at http://www.lonestar.edu/tuition.htm. In addition, students will pay for liability insurance for clinical course work each year, and for a criminal background check, immunization costs as needed and uniform costs where applicable. Students are responsible for the cost of their own transportation to and from clinic sites.
11. All successful applicants admitted to the OTA program will be required to attend an orientation session. Evidence of a physical examination completed by a licensed physician or healthcare provider along with verification of updated immunization records must be submitted at that time. Persons interested in applying to the program are recommended to begin as soon as possible the Hepatitis B series of immunizations as it takes several months to complete. Hepatitis B is required by state law in the State of Texas for all students involved in healthcare programs. Student liability insurance is required prior to enrolling in Level I Fieldwork. Students must submit a certificate of completion of CPR for Healthcare Providers prior to Level I. The majority of coursework requirements include competence in basic computer use skills including some components of distance learning. Computer labs for student access are available on campus.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220, (301) 652-AOTA. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this examination, the graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
Most states, including Texas, require licensure to practice. Texas licensure is based on successful completion of the NBCOT examination. A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT examination or attain state licensure. Any form of charges or conviction results on a criminal background check may be cause for exclusion from admission to the program.
