Meet admissions requirements, and be accepted by Walters State Community College.

Walters State Application

• Indicate Associate of Science –  Health Science OTA Path (AS-HOTA) as the desired major on the WSCC application form.

Follow college policy for advising prior to registration.

ACT composite score of >19 or HESI A2 score of > 80% in reading, vocabulary and math are the minimum scores for ranking purposes. All test scores must be less than 3 years old.

Maintain an overall 2.5 GPA (excluding Learning Support courses)

Complete all required Learning Support courses.

Successfully complete BIOL 2010 and 2011 and BIOL 2020 and 2021 no later than the end of spring semester of the year the student elects to participate in the selection process for fall semester OTA class. A grade of “C” or better must be achieved in each required science course, with an overall GPA of at least 2.5. Biological science courses previously taken must have been completed within the last 10 years.

General education requirements are ENGL 1010, PSYC 2130, SPCH 1010, and HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS ELECTIVE. These courses may be taken after acceptance into the program, but must be completed prior to the spring semester the student intends to graduate. However, it is recommended that all general education requirements be completed no later than the end of the spring semester of the year the student makes application to the OTA program.

Students may not audit any OTA courses without the approval of the department director and the dean of Health Programs.

Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, students who are applying for the OTA program are required to complete observation hours or an alternative assignment for the Fall 2022 admission cycle.

Due to your potential risk for exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, you may be at risk of acquiring Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, measles, mumps, rubella, or varicella (chicken pox). Health Programs students must provide documentation of complete vaccinations or titers from their healthcare provider. For varicella, students with disease history may have their healthcare provider document date of disease.

Accepted students must submit one form of documentation listed below for each disease following admission to a program.

Students who provide titers with laboratory values inconsistent with immunity are encouraged to get the vaccinations.

Student must submit documentation for medical or religious contraindications.

A student may be exempt from immunization requirement under one of the following circumstances:

• The vaccine is contraindicated for the individual based on guidelines established by manufacturer or Center for Disease Control
• Physician judgment based on the individual's medical condition and history – (risk of harm outweighs benefit)
• Religious belief or practice – (individual must provide written statement affirmed under penalty of perjury).

Selection of each class will be made by the Admissions Committee whose membership consists of:

• Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Director
• Faculty for the OTA program
• Dean of Health Programs (ex officio)
• Vice President for Academic Affairs (ex officio)

The Admission Committee will rank each student on the basis of predetermined criteria. Student ranking is a competitive process among applicants. The minimum ranking score required is stated in the OTA Application. The ranking criteria include but are not limited to:

• Designated Admissions test
• Overall GPA in all required general education and prerequisite courses.
• Observation experience - minimum of 30 observation hours divided between two settings.
• First grades received in required Biology courses
• Interview conducted by a designated committee.

Student Ranking Criteria

Transfer students who have attended another OTA program and who desire to transfer to the WSCC OTA program will be considered on an individual basis. Transfer requests should be submitted in writing to the director of the OTA program. Students must meet the same standards and criteria as others pursuing an associate of applied science degree in OTA

Basic science courses over 10 years old, or specific OTA courses over 5 years old may not be eligible for selection criteria.

1. BIOL 2010 and 2011 and BIOL 2020 and 2021 are pre-requisite courses for the OTA Program. Successfully complete BIOL 2010 and 2011 and BIOL 2020 and 2021 no later than the end of spring semester of the year the student elects to participate in the selection process for fall semester OTA class. A grade of “C” or better must be achieved in each required science course, with an overall GPA of at least 2.5.
2. In order to graduate in five (5) semesters, students may request an accelerated BIOL 2010/2011 & BIOL 2020/2021 path from the Dean of Natural Sciences. This path allows courses to be taken concurrently or in an accelerated online format via TN eCampus.

Students selected to the program for the fall semester will be notified in writing by July 15

Students notified of admission into the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program must return the Information Packet for New Admits by the date specified on the form:

• sign, date and return an acknowledgment of the Drug/Alcohol Abuse Policy and Consent form
• a comprehensive health examination at the student’s expense by a physician with required lab tests and immunizations or records of immunizations.
• Students who do not respond or who do not plan to attend will have their positions filled by other applicants based on the criteria rankings.

Students not selected for admission may reapply for a subsequent class

Contact the director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program for additional information, 423-798-8183.

Students who have experienced an academic failure in any healthcare program must disclose this information when they make application to the OTA program.

Students who have experienced a clinical failure in a healthcare program are not eligible for admission.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program accepts approximately 12 new students each fall semester. The number of students accepted into the program is limited. Programs with limited enrollment such as the OTA program cannot accept out-of-state residents if there are Tennessee residents eligible for admission. Contact the Director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program for further information.