HCC Occupational Therapy Assistant program ranked No. 1 in the nation
Oct 21, 2016
The Houston Community College (HCC) Occupational Therapy Assistant program has been rated the best in the country among two-year colleges by the Community for Accredited Online Schools. The organization rated all occupational therapy programs in the nation, both online and classroom-centered. The top 50 schools were evaluated based on affordability, faculty-to-student ratio, graduation rates, and other factors.
The program is part of the HCC Health Sciences Center of Excellence at Coleman College for Health Sciences. Classroom work is augmented by practical workforce training. Students who successfully complete the program earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree.
“We are proud to be acknowledged for the quality of our Occupational Therapy Assistant program,” said Dr. Phillip Nicotera, president of Coleman College. “Our students have a 100 percent pass rate and a 90 percent job placement rate. This speaks well for them and for HCC. Our program is proud to prepare well educated and trained professionals to enter the healthcare workforce.”
Requirements for admission to the program are very specific, such as documented observation hours, letters of recommendation, and pre-requisite classes. Credit for experience is offered as part of the admission process, as well as placement and counseling services following completion of the program.
“Our students work hard to realize their dream of becoming occupational therapy assistants,” said Turquessa Francis, faculty director of the program. “It is gratifying to be acknowledged for the program’s success.”
Occupational therapy assistants are trained to provide services to consumers across the life span, particularly those with challenges, such as disease, injury, illness, wellness, and prevention. Workforce demand in this healthcare sector is expected to increase dramatically over the next five years in response to the health needs of the aging baby boom generation and a growing elderly population.
For more information about the HCC Occupational Therapy Assistant program, please visit hccs.edu/ota.