Certificate in Pre-Occupational/Pre-Physical Therapy Assistant (POTA)

The Certificate in Pre-Occupational/Pre-Physical Therapy Assistant allows students to take general education courses in preparation to transfer to another college to take occupational/physical therapy courses. Completion of this certificate does not guarantee entrance into any program. Students should consult the college to which they wish to transfer about course acceptance.

This program prepares the student to work under the supervision of or in consultation with a licensed professional therapist.
 
Occupational Therapy Assistants aid in developing, maintaining or restoring adaptive skills in individuals whose abilities to cope with daily living tasks are threatened or diminished by developmental deficits, physical injury or illness, psychosocial dysfunction, or the aging process.
 
The Physical Therapy Assistant aids in implementing physical therapy modalities that promote optimal human health and physical functioning. This profession involves direct patient care of individuals who have experienced temporary or permanent disability due to pain, injury, disease or birth defects. Scientific principles are utilized to prevent, identify, assess, correct or alleviate acute or prolonged movement dysfunction.

Transfer Requirements/Academic Standards

Specific criteria for admission into an Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy Assistant program include the following:

• High school or college credits with a grade of “C” or higher in algebra, biology, and chemistry.
• Specific admission requirements to the college of the student’s choice may be obtained from transferring college.
• Application for admission to transferring college should be completed as early as possible.
• Must earn a minimum of a "C" or higher in each required curriculum course for the program. Students may retake courses completed with less than a "C" one time only.