OTA Pre-Application Requirements
- Review essential functions for OTA students and practitioners
- Apply to TJC
- Complete pre-requisite course work with 2.5 GPA or better
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better
- Complete clinical observations and required forms; see below**
- Complete HESI A2
Contact OTA faculty for HESI ticket or for instructions if the exam is not taken on TJC campus.
Complete OTA Pre-Requisite Coursework
The OTA program at TJC requires all applicants to complete 10 hours of coursework before being eligible to apply to the program. The required courses are:
ENGL 1301 Composition and Rhetoric I
PSYC 2314 Lifespan Growth and Development
BIOL 2404 Anatomy & Physiology
A minimum 2.5 GPA in pre-requisite coursework is required to be eligible to apply. A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA for all coursework is required.
OTA Clinical Observation
The goal of observation hours is to provide the applicant an opportunity to see and interact with practicing Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants.
- A total of 15 hours of direct observation is required and must be done in two different practice settings e.g. pediatrics and long term care. A full 7-8 hours of observation in each setting is preferred. Depending on the facility it may be possible to complete the 15 hours of observation at a single site but in two different areas of that facility.
- Applicants must observe under the supervision of two different practitioners (OTR or OTA). If the hours are completed in a single facility, the applicant must have a different supervisor for each practice area.
- If time constraints such as employment issues or therapist’s schedules prevent an applicant from spending a full day in a facility, it is acceptable for an applicant to complete three (3), 5 hour observations, under the supervision of 3 different practitioners.
- Applicants are required to submit a brief observation report form for each observation completed.
- Supervisors will complete a feedback form for each observation.
- Observation hours are good for two years but can only be used for one application. If reapplying for the program, students will need to complete new observation hours
OTA Observation Site Suggestions
Observation hours should be scheduled well in advance of the application deadline. Occupational Therapy practitioners accept student observers on a voluntary basis as a service to their profession. Please be respectful of their time and the privacy of the clients they serve.
If an applicant is unable to complete an observation as scheduled, please notify the OT practitioner or designated contact person at least 24 hours in advance.
Appropriate dress is required for all observations.
Some facilities require observers to attend an orientation session prior to being allowed to observe patient care activities. The orientation time is not considered part of the required observation hours.
Take the HESI A2
The HESI A2 is a standardized test covering a variety of areas relevant to healthcare education. Applicants to the OTA program are required to complete the HESI A2 prior to applying for admission. Applicants may take the HESI only twice in an application period. Applicants are required to take the following portions of the test:
- Reading Comprehension
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Anatomy & Physiology
- *Personality Profile
- *Learning Styles
Applicants must earn a minimum cumulative score of 80 to be eligible to apply. Scores on the individual subtests are included in the calculation of application points.
Applicants are financially responsible for the cost of the HESI. Scores are good for 2 years but applicants may retest if they choose in order to improve their scores.
Apply to the OTA program
Application Points
| Pre-requisite GPA (total GPA multiplied by 10) | 10 hours: PSYC 2314, BIOL 2404, ENGL 1301 | 20 – 40 |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4 | |
| B | 3 | |
| C | 2 |
| Overall GPA | 1-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 – 2.49 | 1 | |
| 2.5 – 2.99 | 2 | |
| 3.0 – 3.49 | 3 | |
| 3.5 – 4.0 | 4 | |
| HESI Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Minimum score to apply to the OTA program | 80% | |
| Reading – score divided by 10 | 0-10 | |
| Vocabulary – score divided by 10 | 0-10 | |
| Grammar – score divided by 10 | 0-10 | |
| A&P – score divided by 10 | 0-10 |
| In District | ||
|---|---|---|
| (click for more information) | 2 |
| Currently Employed in Healthcare** | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 |
| Previous Degree** | ||
|---|---|---|
| Master’s | 4 | |
| Bachelor’s | 3 | |
| Associate’s | 2 | |
| Certificate | 1 |
| Courses retaken to pass or improve grade | ||
|---|---|---|
| -1pt per class |
Submit all application documents in hard copy to OTA program faculty by the application deadline.
A completed packet must contain the following:
- Official transcripts for ALL college credits received at any institution other than TJC.
- If submitting electronically, you must enter an OTA faculty member’s email address for the transcript recipient. Electronic transcripts are not accepted if delivered to a student’s email address.
- Submitting hard copies of official transcripts must remain sealed in their original envelopes.
- Observation forms from each observation completed
- Feedback forms from each supervisor with whom observations were done.
- Feedback forms must be in a sealed envelope with the supervisor’s signature over the seal to ensure that the document has not been altered.
- Completed Selective Admissions Application form
- HESI A2 scores
- Scores should have an official stamp from the testing center from which they were received.
Partial packets are not accepted without prior approval of faculty for situations involving HESI testing completed at another facility.
TJC District and Enrollment
Applicants residing in the TJC tax district receive additional consideration in the application process. See tax district map.
Previous Degree or Related Employment Experience
** Extra consideration is given to applicants who have completed a prior educational program and been awarded a certificate or degree. Applicants who are currently employed in a health care field involving direct patient care also are eligible for extra consideration in the application process.
OTA Final Selection
Applicants will be ranked based on the criteria above and selected for interviews based on total accumulated points. Applicants ranked highest will be invited for an interview.
A maximum of 40 applicants will be selected for interview.
- Applicants will participate in an on-campus Interview with a committee consisting of faculty and practitioners from the community.
- Points awarded in the interview process will be added to the initial application points.
- The top 20 applicants will be conditionally accepted.
- A maximum of 5 applicants will be offered positions as alternates.
- Upon receipt of a clear criminal background check and drug screen, students will be formally admitted to the OTA program. A maximum of 20 applicants will be conditionally accepted.
- Classes will begin in August.
A felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT Certification Examination or attain state licensure. See NBCOT website for specific eligibility requirements. A felony or misdemeanor conviction, including deferred adjudication, which affects a student’s eligibility for placement at any fieldwork site is cause for denial of a place in the program.
Selective admission policies and procedures are designed to ensure fairness and equity for all applicants. Applicants who believe they have been wrongly denied admission to a program are encouraged to contact the program Department Chair with their concerns. Applicants have the right to appeal the denial. The decision of the appeal committee is final.