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Program:
In their multifaceted roles in the health care profession, Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) aide their clients in achieving their maximum level of functioning following a life challenge such as birth injury, stroke, car accident, mental illness, or a major life change.
In this entry-level position, Occupational Therapy Assistants work closely with Occupational Therapists to facilitate adaptation and habilitation in their clients so as to improve the quality of their lives.
"I really like the flexibility of the program. I needed to attend school on a part-time basis because of work and family. Mercy's OTA program allowed me to do that."
Patricia Henderson, '01
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Download a PDF version of our Program Brochure
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Program Contacts:
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Christine Sullivan, MS, OTR/L
Program Director
csullivan@mercy.edu
Telephone: 914-674-7831
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Michael Gawronski, MS, OTR/L, ATP
Associate Director/Clinical Education Coordinator
mgawronski@mercy.edu
Telephone: 914-674-7832
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Patricia Chute, EdD
Chair, Division of Health Professions
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"I had all of my general education coursework finished and I was able to complete the OTA program in a little over a year!"
David McEvoy, '04
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Career Opportunities:
By choosing a career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you'll have the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives while entering a rewarding profession that has flexible and diverse job opportunities in areas such as:
- Acute Care Hospitals
- Rehab Hospitals
- Schools and Pre-Schools
- Early Intervention (Home Care)
- Nursing Homes
- Sub-Acute Care
- Adult Day Care
- Home Care
- Design and Accessibility Consulting and Home Modification
- Driver Rehabilitation and Training
- Ergonomics Consulting
- Health and Wellness Consulting
- Low Vision Services
- Private Practice Community Health Services
- Technology and Assistive Device Development and Consulting
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Curriculum:
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at Mercy College is a full/part-time, evening program leading to a 72 credit Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Occupational Therapy. The program is designed to prepare its graduates to perform as an entry level Occupational Therapy Assistant.
All of the OTA major concentration classes are held Monday - Thursday evenings at the Dobbs Ferry Campus. Three additional clinical lab days are scheduled on either a Saturday or Sunday each semester.
If a student has completed all of his or her general education requirements prior to admission to the program he or she can complete the coursework in as little as nine months.
The program allows its students to develop skills so as to successfully work in such settings as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, mental health care facilities, and community centers.
The curriculum is organized around a developmental sequencing of courses as they occur in the life span: from childhood / adolescence to adulthood / maturity.
The program is designed for a motivated learner who benefits from an intense learning experience that explores the role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant within the frame work of life?s developmental stages and encourages self-exploration and skill development.
The program begins with two semesters of coursework which includes two separate Level I Fieldwork experiences designed to provide practical application of classroom work. Upon completion of all course requirements, students begin their Level II Fieldwork experiences that consist of two eight to ten week full-time clinical internships. Modification may be made in the clinical fieldwork experiences based on the student's work schedule and availability of fieldwork sites. All Level II Fieldwork experiences must be successfully completed within 18 months of the academic coursework.
For the complete course curriculum click here.
"I couldn't believe that I had two job offers before I even completed my second fieldwork experience!"
Melissa Pinto, '05
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Campuses where program is offered:
All of the OTA major concentration classes are held Monday - Thursday evenings at the Dobbs Ferry Campus.
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Facilities:
The OTA Program's courses are held on the Dobbs Ferry Campus overlooking the Hudson River. Students will be exposed to "real world" clinical settings throughout their education. Several classes are held in local hospitals allowing students to observe and participate in dynamic learning experiences.
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Accreditations:
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, c/o P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD 20824-1220. ACOTE's phone number is (301) 652-AOTA and fax number is 301-652-7711. ACOTE's website is www.aota.org and e-mail is accred@aota.org.
Graduates of the Program are eligible to sit for the national certification examination of the occupational therapy assistant administered by the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, (COTA). Currently, New York State does not require this exam in order for a person to practice as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Requirements for other states may include passing the NBCOT examination in order obtain a license and practice as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.
NOTE: A felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
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Pass Rate:
Pass Rate on the national Certification Exam offered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Inc. (NBCOT) :
The total number of graduates who passed the certification exam as first-time new graduate test takers in 2005-2007 was 13 out of 18, which is a 72% pass rate for first time test takers. During that 3-year time period, the program had 28 graduates. *
All of the applicants passed the exam on subsequent attempts.
* Currently, New York State does not require that candidates for an OTA licensure must pass the national certification exam in order to practice as an OTA in New York State. However, it is a requirement for all neighboring states. Data indicate that the the sooner a graduate sits for the exam after graduation the greater chance they have at passing the exam.
Mercy College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program New Graduates (NG*)
Results for January - December 2006 & 2007 |
| | Mercy College OTA Candidate Results for 2007 | All U.S. Schools Results for 2007 | Mercy College OTA Candidate Results for 2006 | All U.S. Schools Results for 2006 | | Total Number of NG testing | 3 | 1807 | 9 | 1624 | | Total Number of NG passing (% passing) | 3 (100%) | 1564 (86%) | 8 (88.89%) | 1456 (90%) | | Total Number of NG failing (% failing) | 0 (0%) | 243 (14%) | 1 (11.11%) | 168 (10%) | | Total Score Average | 498 | 496 | 481 | 495 | | Average Passing Score | 498 | 505 | 492 | 503 | | Average Failing Score | N/A | 426 | 338 | 422 | | * NG = Candidates testing within one year of graduation. |
* Currently, New York State does not require that candidates for an OTA licensure must pass the national certification exam in order to practice as an OTA in New York State. However, it is a requirement for all neighboring states.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Where can I obtain information about the program?
To find out more about the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, call (914)674-7833 or e-mail the OTA program at otaprogram@mercy.edu.
How can I apply to the program?
Applications for the OTA program are accepted on an ongoing basis. First, you have to be admitted to Mercy College. Then you should contact the OTA program to set up a formal interview with the Program Director. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the OTA program at (914) 674-7833 or Mercy's Admissions Department at 1-877-MERCY-GO or admissions@mercy.edu.
When and where are courses held?
All of the OTA major concentration classes are held at the Dobbs Ferry Campus. Classes are generally scheduled Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 6:00 PM - 8:45 PM, Tuesday evenings from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Additionally, there will be three clinical lab days each semester that will be held either on a Saturday or Sunday. Visit the course catalogue link in the Curriculum section above for exact descriptions of the courses and suggested sequences.
How long will it take me to complete the program?
That depends on your personal situation. Our program can be tailored to your personal needs. Generally speaking, the OTA program, including the general education courses can be completed in two years on a full-time basis (full-time is 12 credits a semester). Additionally, there are two full-time equivalent eight to ten-week fieldwork experiences completed within 18 months of completion of classroom learning. Given the program's flexibility we often customize students' academic plans to meet their needs over an extended period of time when they are not able to attend classes on a full-time basis.
What are the fieldwork requirements of the program?
Level I:
Each of the major module application courses (7 Credit - Childhood & Adolescents & 7 Credit Adult & Maturity) has imbedded in the course 1 credit towards a Fieldwork I experience. This experience requires 21 hours of fieldwork time that may be taken on a once-a-week, part-time or consecutive-day basis depending on the site. These fieldwork experiences must be successfully completed in order to pass each 7-credit major module course.
Level II:
Once all the academic coursework is completed for the program, students are required to complete a minimum of two eight to ten-week full-time equivalent fieldwork placements. They may be taken consecutively or in some circumstances, students may have a one to three-month break between fieldwork experiences. The fieldwork experiences are arranged through the Associate Director/Clinical Education Coordinator and are generally scheduled during the week. NOTE: Some fieldwork assignments may be a distance from the student's home, thus requiring significant travel and/or the need for housing accommodations. We will offer suggestions on low-cost accommodations but students are responsible for the cost of travel and accommodations. Every attempt will be made to schedule fieldwork within commutable distance from your home.
The field work Level II must be completed within 18 months of completing the academic coursework portion of the program.
If I plan to work in New York State after graduation do I have to take a national exam before I can start working?
No. However, throughout the educational process, the Program strongly encourages all graduates to sit for the exam soon after completing the program. What you will need to do after graduation is to submit an application for certification to the Office of the Professions New York State Education Department.
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