Occupational Therapy Assistant

At ENMU-Roswell, students can pursue an Associate of Science degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant and learn how they can work in this rewarding and dynamic health care field.Occupational Therapists help people whose lives have been affected by physical or mental illness or injury, such as a car accident or a stroke. Clients who benefit from occupational therapy include infants and children, working-age adults, and older persons whose condition affects their ability to engage in everyday activities or ‘occupations,’ Examples range from basic activities and life skills like bathing, dressing, and eating to more complicated tasks like using a phone or computer; driving a car; writing a check; or returning to work and school.

The number of student enrollment in OTA core courses at all levels is limited. Occupational Therapy Assistant Program students who want to progress into the Occupational Therapy Assistant Core Courses should be aware that the program consists of a two-year program of study following completion of the first year courses (which may take one year or more to complete). The first year courses consist of selected academic courses in preparation for progression in the OTA program.

Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national certification exam administered by the national board of Certification of Occupational Therapy.

The ENMU-R 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, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20814-3449. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA. http://www.acoteonline.org/

Graduate performance results for all OTA Programs are published by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT): HTTPS://SECURE.NBCOT.ORG/DATA/SCHOOLSTATS.ASPX.

The total number of Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Occupational Therapy Assistant Program graduates during the three period of 2013-2016 was 85, with an overall graduation rate of 85%

Certification allows the graduate to apply for licensure in states that have licensure laws.  Licenses required by states are usually based on results of the NBCOT Certification Examination.

Following completion of the two year coursework, students will spend 16 weeks in clinical affiliation (OT 260 and OT 262) to gain skills in the practice of occupational therapy.  THESE EXPERIENCES ARE MANDATORY AND WILL REQUIRE OUT OF TOWN TRAVEL AND HOUSING EXPENSES.

A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or to attain state licensure. Information on the guidelines for felony convictions can be found under Publications “disciplinary actions” at www.NBCOT.org and Rules and Law “disciplinary proceedings” at New Mexico Board of Occupational Therapy.

Related Links

• AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association)
• NBCOT (National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.)
• NMOTA (New Mexico Occupational Therapy Association)
• NMBOT (New Mexico Board of Occupational Therapy)