Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program

BPCC’s OTA Program consists of a Pre-OTA component (qualification courses) and a program component. Students may work at any pace (part time/full time) to complete the OTA qualification courses and other requirements. When courses have been completed (with a “C” or better), students apply for admission to the program component. Applications for the OTA program component are taken each spring, with a new OTA class beginning in third summer session (Session C). The program is designed so that a student may complete the OTA qualification course component in 1 year and the program component in 18 months.

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Program Mission

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program prepares students to work under the direction of occupational therapists to provide patient care in a variety of clinical environments. The mission of the OTA Program at BPCC is to provide students with the academic instruction and support services necessary to earn an associate degree in occupational therapy assistant and graduate well-qualified and board eligible occupational therapy assistants committed to serving the needs of the occupational therapy community, state and nation. The OTA Program supports OT services that promote the therapeutic use of occupation and activity during the OT process to increase a person’s health, wellness and personal satisfaction.

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Program Philosophy

We believe that individuals are intrinsically motivated, functionally active and holistically unique in their pursuit of occupation and that all individuals have the right to participate in society and make personal choices. We believe each person has unique personal characteristics which affect their ability to participate in necessary occupations that may impact his or her quality of life. We believe that human development has multiple influences on human behavior which in turn affects occupational performance and outcomes. The OTA faculty believes that OT practitioners are deeply cognizant and keenly aware of the diversity of issues related to a person’s ability to successfully engage in meaningful occupations. We support OT services that promote the therapeutic use of occupation and activity during the OT process to increase a person’s health, wellness and personal satisfaction.

The selection process for the OTA Program component begins each spring. Students should be aware of the following requirements and procedures regarding program selection:

• Students must submit a completed OTA Program Application Packet by the application deadline of April 15th.
• Pre-program (qualification) courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester in the application year.
• Transfer students must apply for college admission to BPCC and complete all requests for official transcripts to be sent to the BPCC Admissions Office from all previously attended institutions by April 15.
• Admission to the OTA Program is based upon a competitive selection process that occurs once a year. All applicants are ranked by the OTA Program Selection Committee on predetermined criteria that are both academic and non-academic. Cumulative GPA for eligibility to apply is 2.0 or higher. Qualification course GPA must be 2.75 or higher with a “C” or better in all required courses.
• Students must complete a minimum of 20 hours of observation in two different occupational therapy settings under the supervision of two different licensed occupational therapy providers by the application deadline.
• Interviews are conducted in May of each year. The top scoring 50 qualified applicants will be notified by mail of their scheduled interview day/time.
• The Program Application Packet includes additional eligibility requirements, detailed instructions, deadlines and procedures for program application. The top ranking 20 applicants are offered admission to the OTA Program that begins in the summer semester, session “C”

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Special Requirements

• Students who are selected for the OTA program must be available for daytime, evening and occasional weekend classes. One course is offered online only in the first summer session which is taken concurrently with an on-campus course. All other didactic courses in the following fall and spring semesters are on the BPCC main campus.
• OTA program students must be prepared to complete one or more full-time fieldwork rotation assignments (each rotation is 8 weeks in duration during the second fall semester) in an out-of-town facility. These rotations must be completed within 16 months of completion of didactic coursework.
• Students selected for the OTA program must adhere to the OTA Clinical Requirements related to additional tests/immunizations required, documentation submission and policies/procedures of the division/program. Immunization documentation is NOT required during the application process.
• Students who are selected to the program will receive information about additional tests/immunizations that are required for the OTA program at the mandatory orientation in June.
• Students selected for the OTA program pay a clinical fee, in addition to regular tuition, each program semester.

Click here to view the program curriculum.

Current Cost	OTA Program 2023 Summer Semester	OTA Program 2023 Fall Semester	OTA Program 2024 Spring Semester	OTA Program 2024 Fall Semester	Total Cost of 2022-2023 OTA Program
Resident Tuition	555.84	1,667.52	1,667.52	1,667.52	5,558.40
Non-Resident Tuition	1,335.34	4,006.02	4,006.02	4,006.02	13,353.40
Student Fee	233	799	799	744	2605
Books & Supplies	~90	~475	~235		~800
Resident Total	878.84	2,941.52	2,701.52	2,441.52	8,963.40
Non-Resident Total	1,658.34	5,280.02	5,040.02	4,780.02	16758.4

According to FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), cost of attendance is defined as total amount of attending the program, which includes tuition and fees, books, supplies, transportation, loan fees as well as fees associated with distance education.

Fees are assessed on all students who enroll at BPCC. The amount of fees is determined in accordance with the residence status of the student and the number of semester hours (credit and audit) for which the student enrolls. Louisiana residents and audit students pay only the resident fee. The College reserves the right to change fees without prior notice. Click here for more information on fees.

The chart below indicates the number of students who graduated from the program and the graduation rate for each class for the past three years. The graduation rate is determined by the number of students who started the program and completed Level II fieldwork requirements within 16 months of completion of didactic coursework.

Graduation Year	Students Entering/Graduating	Graduation Rate
2021	20/18	90%
2022	20/16	80%
2023	19/14	74%
Total	59/48	81%

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NBCOT Certification

Please see the following link for details on the pass rate:

Program Performance Data on the NBCOT® National Certification Examination

Clinical/Program Application Instructions

NOTICE: It is the responsibility of the applicant to carefully read all of the information on this page to ensure that program requirements and deadlines are met to satisfy eligibility.

• Deadline for submission of online OTA Program Application is April 15.
• Deadline for submission of Clinical Observation Rating forms from OT practitioners is May 1.

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BPCC College Admissions

• Complete all BPCC College Admissions Forms if you are not a current BPCC student.
• Transfer students must complete requests for official transcripts to be sent to the BPCC Admissions Office from all previously attended institutions. This process should begin as soon as possible to allow time for processing.

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Application Eligibility Requirements

• Completed a minimum of 30 college hours of OTA qualification (pre-requisite) coursework by the end of the spring semester of application year.
• A minimum of a 2.75 pre-requisite GPA and a “C” or better in each qualification course.
• Verified that all official and final transcripts from other institutions have been received by the BPCC Admissions Office and that applicable transfer courses are accessible in LOLA and visible on your BPCC transcript.
• Verified that you have a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA on all attempted college coursework.
• Preregistered for all remaining OTA qualification courses with potential to finish in the spring semester, if applicable.
• Note that applicants may submit an application before completing all qualification (pre-requisite) courses if above criteria is met. 

Additional Criteria:

Applicants who are selected for an interview will be required to bring a Clinical Observation Experience Narrative Summary. The summary should be:

• a minimum of one page, not to exceed two pages
• typed
• double spaced
• 12” font

The Narrative Summary should include:

• Overview of types of diagnoses observed
• Overview of treatments observed
• Discussion of most interesting and least interesting components of experiences
• Discussion of your goals and reasons for pursuing occupational therapy assistant as a career choice

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To Submit your OTA Program Application:

• Contact Ms. Brandon or Ms. Allison by email requesting a review of your transcript and eligibility requirements.  You will be informed if there are additional requirements that must be completed prior to submitting the application form.
• The OTA Program has established Essential Requirements, identifying occupational-specific technical standards required of students in the program. Please read this document prior to completing the program application. If you have questions or concerns related to your ability to meet these described requirements, please contact your academic advisor.
• The BPCC OTA Application link will only be accessible from December 15th through April 15th. Click on the link below to complete and submit your application.

BPCC OTA Program Application

• In addition to the OTA Program Application, the following documents are required for your application packet to be complete.

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Clinical Observation Rating Form (minimum of two)

• You are required to complete a total of 20 observation hours in a minimum of two different settings with two different licensed occupational therapy practitioners (licensed occupational therapists or licensed occupational therapy assistants). This process is not directed by the BPCC OTA faculty. Applicants are required to locate, contact, and schedule these experiences.
• Plan ahead and start early – It is recommended to begin scheduling observation experiences in the fall semester. Completed Clinical Observation forms are due by May 1st of application year.
• Applicants who are selected for an interview will submit a written summary of observation experiences.
• Observation Rating forms will be kept on file by the OTA Program Director for two years and will be valid for two consecutive OTA application cycles.
• Please inquire about the dress at each facility prior to arrival.
• Observation forms completed by an OT practitioner who is a family member of the applicant will not be accepted.
• Print one Clinical Observation Rating Form for each OT/OTA you observed (2 forms minimum) prior to observation experience. The forms can be mailed to the address below or emailed to kbrandon@bpcc.edu.
• If the form is to be mailed, you are required to provide an ADDRESSED and STAMPED envelope. The OT/OTA should be asked to complete the form (including contact information), seal it in the provided envelope, sign across the seal and mail directly to the college at the address below.

Bossier Parish Community College
Attn: OTA Program Selection Committee
6220 E. Texas St.
Bossier City, LA 71111

It is the responsibility of the applicant to follow up with the OT or OTA completing the observation forms to assure the forms are mailed with a postmark date of no later than the May 1st deadline.

• April 15 – Program application deadline
• May 1 – Clinical Observation Rating Forms deadline
• May 14, 2024 – OTA Interviews and on-site essay; A mandatory interview process will be conducted. All applicants will receive notification by email of their eligibility for interview. Details regarding times and locations will be provided in the correspondence. Applicants selected for this process will be required to bring the typed interview Narrative Summary described in the clinical application packet.
• June 2024 – Mandatory one day orientation
• June 26, 2024 – Summer Session C – Program courses begin

• Fieldwork Site Manual

Sample Site SpecIfic Objectives

• Acute Care
• Adult Outpatient
• Adult Rehabilitation
• Behavioral
• Early Childhood
• Mental Health
• Pediatrics
• Physical Disabilities 1
• Physical Disabilities 2
• School System
• Site Objective Writing Template

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 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number, c/o AOTA, is (301) 652-AOTA, and its web address is www.acoteonline.org.

Graduates of the program will be 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 individual 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 exam.  Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. Therefore, it is the responsibility of a student with a felony conviction to contact the state licensing board and NBCOT prior to the application process to the program to determine eligibility status.