MCC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Accreditation Renewed

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at Madisonville Community College (MCC) has been granted a Status of Accreditation for a period of 7 years by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). A stated function of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), MCC s Report of On-Site Evaluation for accreditation was reviewed and approved at the August 4-7 ACOTE meeting.

We are very pleased with a full 7-year reaffirmation of accreditation for our Occupational Therapy Assistant program. The OTA program is one of our most sought after degrees with great job opportunities for our graduates in this community and in the region. Program Coordinator Kim Qualls has worked hard to create a program very closely aligned with the needs of employers in the field. This hard work by the faculty, Ms. Qualls and Misty Burton, has certainly paid off for our graduates, shared MCC Chief Academic Officer Dr. Deborah Cox.

The accreditation review process confirms that MCC s OTA program is in substantial compliance with the ACOTE Accreditation Standards for an Associate-Degree-Level Educational Program for the Occupational Therapy Assistant. The 7-year review cycle is the standard number of years for reaccreditation. MCC s next OTA on-site evaluation will be scheduled within academic year 2022-2023.

Interested in a career in Occupational Therapy? The U.S. News and World Report ranked OTA as #1 in the Best Health Care Support Job category and #25 in the Top 100 Best Jobs (January 2016 - http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/occupational-therapy-assistant). An OTA is a trained professional helping people get back into the routine of living. Whether it is the result of an accident, stroke, or long-term medical condition, individuals requiring occupational therapy utilize the services of OTAs to help him/her live as independently as possible by teaching ways to perform the daily tasks and routines of life.

MCC s OTA program can be completed in 18 months. Courses are offered during three 16-week semesters with a clinical experience scheduled during the summer between semesters. Specialized course work prepares students for the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) certification examination. Employment opportunities are available in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, clinics, and other health care facilities, as well as within pediatric, community, or educational settings.

To learn more about the OTA program and its admission requirements, visit the Academic Programs page on MCC s website (madisonville.kctcs.edu). The application deadline for Fall 2017 program enrollment is March 1.