Additional Information
Transfer Students
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
Science Courses
Basic science courses over 10 years old, or specific OTA courses over 5 years old may not be eligible for selection criteria.
- BIOL 2010 and 2011 and BIOL 2020 and 2021 are pre-requisite courses for the OTA Program. Successfully complete BIOL 2010 and 2011 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. BIOL 2020 and 2021 must be completed by the end of the first semester of the program. A grade of C or better must be achieved in each required science course, with an overall GPA of at least 2.5.
- 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.
Program Acceptance Notification
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 students 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.
Academic Failures
Students who have experienced an academic failure in any healthcare program must disclose this information when they make application to the OTA program.
Clinical Failures
Students who have experienced a clinical failure in a healthcare program are not eligible for admission.
Limited Enrollment
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.
Admissions Process
Any student desiring to pursue an occupational therapy assistant associate of applied science degree must:
Apply to Walters State
- 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.
Advising
- Follow college policy for advising prior to registration.
Apply to the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Application, observation documentation and results of designated admissions test must be received by the health programs department no later than the date specified on the online application of the year the student elects to participate in the selection process for the fall semester OTA class.
Apply to the OTA Program
Test Scores
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.
Course Work
Maintain an overall 2.5 GPA (excluding Learning Support courses)
Complete all required Learning Support courses.
Successfully complete BIOL 2010 and 2011 no later than the end of the spring semester of the year the student elects to participate in the fall semester OTA class selection process. 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 must have been completed within the last ten years.
Additional general education requirements are BIOL 2020 and 2021, ENGL 1010, PSYC 2130, COMM 2025, and HUMANITIES/FINE ARTS ELECTIVE. These courses may be taken after acceptance into the program; however, PSYC 2130 and BIOL 2020 and 2021 must be completed by the end of the first semester of the program. Successfully complete general education requirements for graduation before the beginning of the final semester of the OTA program.
Students may not audit any OTA courses without the approval of the department director and the dean of Health Programs.
Observation Hours
Students applying to the OTA program should complete observation hours or an alternative essay assignment for admissions ranking and obtain one letter of reference from a healthcare provider. See the OTA Student Ranking Criteria for available ranking points.
Immunization Requirements
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.
Submission Requirements
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.
Hepatitis B (HBV)
- Documentation of three (3) shot dates.
- Titer showing immunity status to Hepatitis B.
- Documentation from my health care provider stating reason for contraindication.
- Signed written statement affirmed under penalty of perjury stating conflict with religious beliefs.
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Documentation of two (2) shot dates.
- Titer showing immunity status to rubella, rubeola and mumps.
- Documentation from my health care provider stating reason for contraindication.
- Signed written statement affirmed under penalty of perjury stating conflict with religious beliefs.
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- Documentation of two (2) shot dates.
- Titer showing immunity status to varicella.
- History of disease with date documented by health care provider.
- Documentation from my health care provider stating reason for contraindication.
- Signed written statement affirmed under penalty of perjury stating conflict with religious beliefs.
Exemption
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 to the OTA Program
Admissions Committee
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)
Student Ranking
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.
Estimated Expenses
In addition to regular tuition costs, the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program requires approximately $3,313.76 in other expenses over four semesters.
Semester I additional costs: -$1000.25
Semester II additional costs: -$346.96
Semester III additional costs: -$692.55
Semester IV additional costs: -$1,274.00
Estimated One-Time Costs of Additional Materials
| Material | Estimated Cost | Required By |
| Program Shirt/Uniform/Lab Coat | ~$150.00 | Start of program |
| CPR Certification | $45.00 | Start of program |
| Immunization Requirements and Physical Examination | Cost Varies (Insurance Dependent) | Start of program |
| Goniometer Set | ~$30.00 | Start of program |
| Splinting Material | ~$100.00 | Semester III |
| Name Badge | Cost Varies | Fieldwork sites may have their own facility name badge |
| Practice NBCOT Exam | $30.00 | Semester IV |
| NBCOT Exam Review Course | $140.00 | Semester IV |
| State of Tennessee Licensing Fee | $12.00 | Semester IV |
| NBCOT Exam Fee | $515.00 | Semester IV |
| NBCOT Exam StudyPack | $75.00 | Semester IV (optional) |
| PAMS Certification | $399.00 (upon completion of fieldwork) | Semester IV (optional, but strongly recommended) |
Estimated Additional Course Cost by Semester
| Expense | Semester I | Semester II | Semester III | Semester IV Level II Fieldwork |
| Textbooks | $500.00 | $300.00 | $300.00 | N/A |
| Criminal Background Check | $31.25 | N/A | $31.25 | Fieldwork sites may have their own requirements |
| Drug Screen (may be required to do additional per clinical site) | $55.00 | N/A | $55.00 | Fieldwork sites may have their own requirements |
| Professional Liability Insurance | $35.00 | N/A | $35.00 | N/A |
| AOTA Student Membership Fee | $75.00 | N/A | $75.00 | N/A |
| SOTA Dues (voted on annually) | $25.00 | N/A | $25.00 | N/A |
| Research Presentation | $40.00 | N/A | $40.00 | N/A |
