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Occupational Therapy Assistant
The first step to beginning health career training at NOVA/MEC is to attend a mandatory Information Session.
Important Note: Attending a face-to-face OTA Information Session is mandatory in the 12 months prior to applying to this program. The online presentation does NOT take the place of the in-person Information Session. You are required to include the code provided at the in-person session on your application as proof of completion.
In-Person Sessions
It is important to arrive on time; otherwise, it will be necessary to attend another information session. Please do not bring children. Times are subject to change. Please check back for cancellations.
| DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
| February 19, 2013 | Noon - 1:30 p.m. | Room 151 |
| March 19, 2013 | Noon - 1:30 p.m. | Room 151 |
| April 16, 2013 | Noon - 1:30 p.m. | Room 151 |
| May 21, 2013 | Noon - 1:30 p.m. | Room 151 |
| June 18, 2013 | Noon - 1:30 p.m. | Room 151 |
| July 23, 2013 | Noon - 1:30 p.m. | Room 151 |
| August 13, 2013 | Noon - 1:30 p.m. | Room 151 |
- OTA Program Observation Form (PDF)
- Work Experience Form (PDF)
- Essential Functions (PDF)
- Request for Evaluation of Transcript Form (PDF)
- International Transcript Evaluation Process (PDF)
Phone: 703.822.6570, Medical Education Campus, Room 302
Courses
About the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is designed to prepare students with entry-level skills to provide rehabilitative services to persons with psychosocial, physical, and developmental impairments. Occupational therapy assistants, under the guidance and supervision of a registered occupational therapist (OTR/L), work with individuals to help them improve their functional capacities to participate in self-care, work, and leisure pursuits.
The degree program in Occupational Therapy Assistant is a full-time, five-semester sequential curriculum leading to an Associate in Applied Science Degree.
DISCLAIMER: The occupational therapy assistant program at Northern Virginia Community College has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status 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. ACOTE's website can be found at www.acoteonline.org. Once accreditation of the OTA program at NOVA is obtained, graduates must have successfully completed all coursework and fieldwork requirements of the program as outlined in the policies of the program. Upon graduation, students will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction could affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
Students who are interested in the OTA Program at NOVA are encouraged to attend an information session and follow the steps in preparation for competitive placement into the OTA Program. Competitive eligibility does not guarantee admission.
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