Occupational Therapy Assistant
Eastern New Mexico University - RoswellTurn your desire to help others into a rewarding, hands-on career!
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Why Choose a Career in Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy is a rewarding healthcare profession focused on helping people participate in the everyday activities that bring meaning and purpose to their lives. Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) work with individuals across the lifespan to improve independence, function, health, and quality of life.
Associate of
Applied Science
Course Catalog
Earn your Associate of Applied Science Degree
At ENMU-Roswell, students can earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Occupational Therapy Assistant and prepare for a dynamic career in healthcare. Graduates may also continue their education through the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (B.A.A.S.) degree program at Eastern New Mexico University.
Helping People Live Life to the Fullest
Occupational therapy practitioners help individuals overcome physical, cognitive, developmental, emotional, and environmental barriers that impact participation in daily activities, or “occupations.” These activities may include:
- Dressing and Personal Care
- Feeding and Meal Preparation
- School Participation
- Employment and Job Skills
- Community Mobility and Transportation
- Technology Use
- Home Management
- Leisure and Recreation
Occupational therapy services support infants, children, adults, and older adults whose ability to participate in everyday life has been affected by illness, injury, disability, developmental differences, or life transitions.
Occupational Therapy Assistants Make a Difference
Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) play an essential role in helping clients achieve their goals and improve their independence. Working under the supervision of an occupational therapist (OTR), OTAs implement therapeutic interventions, teach adaptive strategies, support skill development, document progress, and collaborate with healthcare teams to promote successful outcomes.
OTAs work in a variety of settings
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Schools
- Home Health
- Behavioral Health Settings
- Outpatient Clinics
- Community-Based Programs
How Long Does the OTA Program Take?
Prerequisites + 2-Year OTA Professional Sequence
Students complete required pre-admission coursework first. Once accepted into the spring OTA cohort, students typically complete the OTA professional sequence in approximately two years, beginning in January and finishing in December of the following year. For students starting with no completed pre-admission coursework, the full pathway is commonly about three years.
Hybrid Learning Environment
Beginning with the Spring 2027 cohort, the OTA Program is delivered in an ACOTE-approved Hybrid with Required On-Campus Lab Immersion format. Students complete online coursework, faculty-led instruction, required on-campus lab immersion experiences, competency validation, and in-person Level I and Level II fieldwork. The OTA Program is not fully online.
Level I and II Fieldwork
Students complete Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences as required components of the OTA curriculum. Level II fieldwork consists of two full-time clinical education experiences completed after academic coursework. These experiences are mandatory and may require travel, housing, immunizations, background checks, drug screening, and other site-specific requirements.
Why Choose the OTA Program at ENMU-Roswell?
Hybrid Learning + On-Campus Labs
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at ENMU-Roswell offers a specialized hybrid learning model designed to balance the flexibility of distance education with the rigorous demands of clinical preparation.
Hands-On
Unlike a traditional fully online program, this model is built on the foundation of “Hybrid with Required Lab Immersion.” This means that while students engage in structured, faculty-guided coursework through the Canvas platform—allowing them to master theoretical concepts at their own pace—the program remains deeply rooted in hands-on, in-person training.
To ensure students are prepared for real-world practice, the model mandates on-campus lab sessions focused on simulation, psychomotor skill development, and competency validation. These intensive lab immersions allow students to practice essential clinical reasoning and safety protocols in a controlled environment. Furthermore, the learning journey extends into fully in-person fieldwork experiences, ensuring that when students transition from the classroom to the community, they possess the practical, tactile confidence required for professional occupational therapy practice.
Learning Outcomes
In addition to supporting institutional learning outcomes and building upon the foundational general education outcomes, upon completion of this program students will be able to:
- Assist in an individualized client evaluation, during which the persons goals are determined by the client/family and occupational therapist.
- Implement therapeutic activities and intervention to improve the persons ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals.
- Assist in an outcome evaluation/assessment of client progress to ensure that goals are being met and/or make changes to the plan.
- Collaborate with the OT in implementing evidence-based treatment programs, training patients in therapeutic exercises and activities of daily living, and providing documentation to the OT about the clients responses to and communications during intervention and documentation related to outcome achievement.
Accreditation
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E, Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE's telephone number, c/o AOTA, is 1 (301) 652-AOTA (2682) or 1 (301) 652-6611, and its web address is WWW.ACOTEONLINE.ORG.
Certification
Graduates of the program will be able to sit for the national certification exam administered by the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®). Preparing for this exam requires strategic study habits and a well-organized plan. Check out these NBCOT® exam preparation tips to help maximize your study efforts.
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.
Please Note that 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.
Program Performance
| Graduation Year | Students Entering Program | Number of Graduates | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 | 9 | 75% | 75% |
| 2025 | 15 | 14 | 93% | 93% |
| 2026 | 9 | 9 | 100% | 100% |
| All Years Combined | Students Entering Program | Number of Graduates | Graduation Rate | Retention Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | 36 | 32 | 89% | 89% |
The total number of graduates from the ENMU-Roswell Occupational Therapy Assistant program during the three years of 2024, 2025, and 2026 is 32, with an overall graduation rate of 88.9% and a retention rate of 88.9%. Graduate performance results for all OTA Programs are published by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT): School Performance Data.
Please Note: The information presented in the OTA Program Performance tables above are based on a calendar year. Graduation rate is calculated according to ACOTE policy.
How do I apply to the OTA Program at ENMU-Roswell?
Application Deadline:
Next Cohort Start: Spring Semester 2027
Next Cohort Start: Spring Semester 2027
Cohort Start and Admission Cycle
The ENMU-Roswell Occupational Therapy Assistant Program admits one cohort each year. Beginning with the Spring 2026 cohort, the OTA Program will use a spring-start admission cycle as the program’s ongoing admission cycle. The OTA Program does NOT currently offer multiple admission start dates within the same academic year.
What steps do I need to take?
STEP 1
Students wishing to apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program must first apply for general admission to the University if they have not done so already. Only currently enrolled ENMU-Roswell students are considered eligible for entry into the OTA program.
STEP 2
Students must take the ATI TEAS for Allied Health and earn a cumulative/composite score of 50% or higher. The official TEAS score report must be submitted by the OTA application deadline.
STEP 3
Students must submit the OTA Program application packet after or while confirming ENMU-Roswell admission status. The OTA packet should include the OTA application, official transcripts on file, TEAS score report, one-page personal statement, and two professional recommendations.
In addition to applying for the OTA Program, you'll need...
Letters of Recommendation
As part of the OTA application process, the student must provide at least two professional recommendations using the OTA Program Professional Recommendation Form. This form is to be completed by a professional contact or associate and submitted by email to [email protected] or returned to the student for attachment to the OTA Application.
For guidance, please read [ “Requesting a Letter of Recommendation for OT/OTA Programs” ].
To Write a Personal Statement
Students are also required to submit a one-page personal statement. For guidance, please read the [ “How to Write a Winning Occupational Therapy (OT) Personal Statement” ] article from Why Choose OT by NBCOT®. The Personal Statement will be included as an attachment with your OTA Application.
Want to Learn More About the OTA Program?
Is OT the Right Fit for Me?
Students planning to attend the OTA Program at ENMU-Roswell should educate themselves about the OT profession and the resources available to help fund their education.
Degree Map
Strategic roadmap designed to guide prospective students through the pre-admission process for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program and outlines a recommended 16-credit course plan across various subjects and provides a clear, six-step guide for completing university applications and transcripts.
OTA Check List
This document outlines the admissions timeline and requirements for Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell’s ACOTE-approved hybrid Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program for the Spring 2026–2027 cohort. To apply, students must achieve at least a 50% score on the ATI TEAS exam, maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA in prerequisites, and submit an application packet—including a personal statement and two professional recommendations.
OTA Admissions Roadmap
This document provides a comprehensive admissions roadmap for students and advisors applying to the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at ENMU-Roswell for the 2026–2027 cycle. It outlines a multi-step application process that requires applying to the university, submitting a separate OTA program packet, and achieving at least a 50% composite score on the ATI TEAS exam. Additionally, the roadmap details a preparation timeline beginning in the summer and highlights the program’s hybrid format, which necessitates mandatory on-campus lab immersion.
Program Costs
This document provides a detailed student cost estimate for the ENMU-Roswell Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate degree program for the 2026–2027 academic year. It breaks down estimated fixed expenses, such as tuition and lab fees, for both resident and out-of-district students while also noting additional variable costs and the program’s hybrid delivery model.
Student Handbook
This handbook is intended for students enrolled in the Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. You’ll find comprehensive information regarding program policies, academic expectations, and professional requirements, including Health and Safety Requirements, Curriculum and Learning, Professional Standards, and Post-Graduation Responsibilities.
OTA Fieldwork Manual
This manual serves as a unified guide for students, fieldwork educators, and administrators involved in the ENMU-Roswell Occupational Therapy Assistant Program’s Level I and II fieldwork experiences. It outlines the program’s mission, curriculum structure, and alignment with 2023 ACOTE standards to ensure the development of ethical and competent entry-level assistants. Additionally, the document details the roles and responsibilities of all participants, professional expectations regarding conduct and safety, and the processes for site selection and student evaluation.
OTA Policies and Procedures Manual
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program Policies and Procedures manual outlines the protocols for maintaining accreditation compliance and official program documentation. The text emphasizes the necessity of keeping all public-facing information—such as the program webpage, cost sheets, and student handbooks—accurate and consistent with ACOTE standards. Additionally, it establishes formal procedures for documenting fieldwork incidents, managing annual policy revisions, and assisting students with academic and financial planning.
