CCM - County College of Morris

Code-0000

Associate of Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant

Program Description

The County College of Morris (CCM) through its Health and Exercise Science Department is offering a joint A.S. degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program at UMDNJ was developed in response to the demand for OTA practitioners at the local, state and national levels. This collaboration between UMDNJ and CCM will prepare students for employment in healthcare, educational and other community settings. In the workplace, OTA’s follow guidelines and treatment plans established by Occupational Therapists.

The Program Mission is to prepare Occupational Therapy Assistants as professionals who will contribute to the health and well - being of individuals, groups and certain populations. Disease, injury, depression, stroke, advanced age and other challenges prevent people from participating independently in activities of daily living. An Occupational Therapy Assistant makes it possible for these people to achieve independence and improve their quality of life.

Graduates of an accredited OTA program are eligible to sit for a national certification exam and once certified, the graduate can obtain state licensure to practice as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) in New Jersey. Students may choose to further their education by completing a Master’s Degree or Entry Level Clinical Doctorate and becoming certified as an Occupational Therapist.

Affiliations

As the A.S. degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant is a dual degree from UMDNJ and CCM, 32 General Education credits are completed at CCM with the remainder 42 credits of professional coursework at UMDNJ.

Facilities

Students complete the pre-requisite course requirements at County College of Morris in Randolph, NJ, and the professional coursework at the UMDNJ Scotch Plains Campus. The professional coursework includes supervised fieldwork in healthcare, education and community settings. Full and part – time study options are available.

Transferring Opportunities

The admission process is competitive and visiting the OTA website at shrp.umdnj.edu/prospective_students/admissions/admissions05_brochures.html is encouraged.

Applicants who have completed 16 of the specified pre-requisite credits and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 may apply. Applicants apply to UMDNJ, School of Health Related Professions by June 15 for fall admission to the professional phase of the program. All remaining pre-requisite credits must be completed with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for full acceptance to UMDNJ.

Career Opportunities

Occupational Therapy has recently been named one of the nation’s 150 best recession proof jobs. Due to the rising number of patients and an aging population, employment in this field is increasing with an anticipated 30 percent growth rate by 2018. This fast growth rate is greater than the average for all occupations. Students can look forward to dynamic careers working in a variety of settings with people of all ages. There is a growing demand for OTA’s working in healthcare and government agencies assisting returning military personnel. Occupational Therapy Assistants work with children with learning disabilities, behavioral issues, cerebral palsy, or Down syndrome. They work with individuals in their homes, community centers, nursing homes, and rehabilitation hospitals.

Curriculum

OTA General Education Requirements (32 CR)

COMMUNICATION (6 CR)
English Composition I 3
English Composition II 3

MATH-SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY (11 CR)
Anatomy & Physiology I 4
Anatomy & Physiology II 4
Statistics or College Algebra 3

SOCIAL SCIENCE (3 CR)
General Psychology 3

HUMANITIES (3 CR)
Ethics 3

SOCIAL SCIENCE OR HUMANITIES (3 CR)
Developmental Psychology 3

GENERAL EDUCATION ELECTIVES (6 CR)
Principles of Sociology 3
Diversity Elective 3

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY CORE (42 CR) 42
The professional phase consists of 42 credits to be completed at UMDNJ

Contacts
If you would like to speak with an advisor about the Associate Degree of Science, OTA please contact:

Professor Marianne Morano
Chairperson, Health & Exercise Science
973-328-5328
mmorano@ccm.edu

Note: You must see a faculty advisor to plan your sequence of courses. For an updated checklist of courses needed for this degree, please visit the CCM website at www.ccm.edu/studentlife/CampusServices/advisement/CurriculumChecksheets.aspx.