Start and Finish at: Penn State Berks, DuBois, or Mont Alto

This major helps prepare graduates to be occupational therapy assistants who are qualified to be employed by agencies that provide occupational therapy services. The goal of occupational therapy is to enable the client to be as independent as possible in the daily performance of self-care, productive, and leisure activities. General education, basic science, and occupational therapy courses are followed by a supervised field experience. Upon successful graduation from the program, students must sit for and successfully pass the NBCOT national certification examination to practice. Most states also require licensure as a condition for employment.

To enter this major, students must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. To be admitted to degree candidacy, the applicant must have completed certain educational background requirements called Carnegie Units or Secondary School Units. Students are responsible for proof of liability insurance and other requirements specified by the facility providing the supervised field experience.

The size of each entering class is limited so that optimal clinical experiences and practical application situations can be maintained. Students enter the program only during the fall semester and are expected to progress through the program in a prescribed manner. Fieldwork affiliations are maintained over a wide geographical area. Students may be required to make special housing and transportation arrangements during the fieldwork phase. Students must complete all Level II fieldwork within eighteen months of successful
completion of OTA didactic course work.

For more information about this program, contact the campus of interest to you.

Please note: The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. Please consult the most recent Degree Programs Bulletin for more detailed information.