The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (BSOTA) Program is an entry level, 120 credit-hour degree program with a minor in Health Services Administration (HSA), which trains and qualifies graduates to work in the occupational therapy field. This is the first program in Florida for a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (BSOTA) to obtain Candidacy status from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). It is also the only OTA program in the United States that has a minor in Health Services Administration (HSA).
The Program admits two cohorts every year: one in the fall and a second one in the spring. As students complete the foundational courses, they need to decide which cohort will best fit their educational goals and timelines.
Occupational therapy practitioners help people participate in meaningful activities and enjoy life to its fullest. As an occupational therapy assistant (OTA), you will make a difference in the lives of people of all ages. Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities participate in school and social situations, helping people recover from injuries to regain skills, and providing support to older adults that experience physical and cognitive changes.
The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics recently published that the job outlook for occupational therapy practitioners will continue to improve steadily. It is expected that jobs for occupational therapy practitioners will increase by 27% or more by 2029.
Under the supervision of an occupational therapist (OT), occupational therapy assistants (OTA) contribute with the evaluation, implementation of treatment, and documentation of progress towards treatment goals of individuals who are experiencing difficulties engaging in their daily activities due to emotional, developmental, and/or physical disabilities. Occupations (meaningful and purposeful activities) are used as a means of preventing, reducing or overcoming physical, social, and emotional disabilities. The OTA modifies and adapts the environment, and/or occupations to maximize independent functioning for clients of all ages and diverse cultural backgrounds. The Webber graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant will be prepared to assist with the managerial aspects of the OT practice and assume leadership roles within the profession.
For more information about occupational therapy, go to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) website.
The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant (BSOTA) Program is a four-year entry-level program with a total of 120-credit-hours:
The program accepts two classes each year: one in the fall and one in the spring. Qualified candidates can apply to the BSOTA program after July.
Candidates are required to complete specific criteria prior to applying to the BSOTA program.
The BSOTA program application is located at the Occupational Therapy Assistants Centralized Application Services (OTACAS) website. The application cycle opens late July and closes beginning of June of each year.
Step 1: Students need to create an OTACAS account at www.otacas.org. Minimal fee required.
Step 2: Once the OTACAS account is created, students can log in and complete the information and required forms.
Qualified candidates will receive an invitation to attend a face-to-face interview. The BSOTA program will notify accepted candidates by email after the interview process is completed.
Transfer Credits
The acceptance and evaluation of credit for transfer is based on various factors, including: the level, content, quality, comparability, and degree program relevance of the proposed transfer credits; the institution’s accreditation; and assessment of course equivalency through evaluation of the transcript. Transfer credits are accepted from Regionally Accredited Institutions for appropriate courses which will pertain to the declared degree at Webber International University (Webber).
Application Deadlines
The Program operates on a rolling admission plan and will accept applications on a first-come-first-qualified basis. Documents received after June 1 may not be acceptable for any given fall term. Documents received after October 31 may not be acceptable for any given spring term.
Cohorts
When all 24 seats for any given class are assigned, the remaining applicants will be placed on the roster for the next cohort available and will receive notification of her/his admission status.
Once the student receives notification of acceptance into the BSOTA Program, the student is required to complete the following requirements by a designated date. These requirements need to be updated by the students every year.
Immunization and communicable disease screenings·
Physical Examination
Cannot be older than one year. Required annually.
Drug Screening test (12 panel)
This test must be within 30 days PRIOR to the starting date in the program. Screening tests not complying with this guideline will not be accepted and your admission into the program will be rescinded. The BSOTA program will require students to complete additional drug screening test as needed during the course of the program.
CPR
Before fieldwork and as indicated by BSOTA program.
Background Check
Before fieldwork and as indicated by BSOTA program. Be aware that a background check containing misdemeanor and/or felony conviction(s) related to violence or abuse are grounds for rescinding your admission into the program.
AIDS/HIV
Before fieldwork and as indicated by BSOTA program.
Finger printing
Before fieldwork and as indicated by BSOTA program.
To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant with a minor in Health Services Administration, students must meet the following requirements:
GPA
Complete all the requirements of the didactic (106 credits), and the fieldwork components (14 credits) of the curriculum with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Time Frame
All didactic coursework, fieldwork and Baccalaureate project must be completed within a period of 5 years.
Fieldwork/ Projects
Students must complete all Level II Fieldwork and the Baccalaureate project within 18 months following completion of core courses.
Professional Behavior
Demonstrate professional behaviors considered acceptable by faculty and fieldwork supervisors and in accordance with regulations of Webber International University and the Bachelor OTA Program.
Graduates of the Webber BSOTA program will be eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination for the Occupational Therapy Assistant(COTA), administered by the National Board Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®).
A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the national certification exam and attain state licensure.
Students with a history of felonies and who are considering entering an occupational therapy educational program can have their background reviewed by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) prior to actually applying to the program by requesting an Early Determination Review at www.nbcot.org/Students/Services. The fee for this review is $225.
For more information, NBCOT can be contacted at(301) 990-7979 or at www.nbcot.org.
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.
One Bank Street, Suite 300
Gaithersburg, MD 20878-4150
After successful completion of this exam, the graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, all states require licensure to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT certification examination. A felony conviction may also affect a graduate’s ability to attain state licensure. Contact your state’s licensure occupational therapy board for more details.
The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Webber International University was granted with CANDIDACY STATUS by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), during its meeting held on December 4-6, 2020. ACOTE is located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA, and its Web address is www.acoteonline.org.
The BSOTA Program may now admit students by August 2022 and may proceed to the Pre-accreditation Review step of the accreditation process. The Program must have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates are 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 graduate will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA). In addition, the State of Florida requires licensure to practice. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
