How To Apply

Come learn all about the OTA Program! Click here for Information Sessions.

Candidates who have taken courses at other colleges will need to submit all official transcripts of that coursework directly to Admissions and Records.

If any of the following apply, you must submit the following:

1. Current official transcripts from all colleges attended, except COC (must include all coursework regardless if OTA prerequisites or not). If coursework is from the Los Angeles Community College District, please make sure your official transcripts are not electronic copies, but are printed official transcripts from LACCD-must have overall GPA on transcripts submitted.
2. For transcripts from other countries, an official sealed foreign transcript evaluation from a NACES approved agency. (See below)
3. Official military transcripts
4. Official College Board report of ALL AP scores (passed with scores of 3 or above)-not accepted from High School transcript
5. Official College Board CLEP Math score (if applicable and counting for Math credit)

Make sure all submitted transcripts are current and include overall college GPA. Please note that this may require ordering updated copy of official transcript to be submitted prior to the Program application deadline. If you are enrolled in a prerequisite course when you submit your application, you must show proof of current enrollment with your application submission. Admission into the OTA Program will be pending until each prerequisite submitted in the application is completed. If you are taking prerequisite courses at another institution, please verify with your Counselor that they will transfer to College of the Canyons and meet program requirements before applying.

Domestic Transcripts

Official transcripts from other colleges can be submitted to Admissions and Records in three ways:

1. By attaching official transcripts to an email sent to admissions@canyons.edu
2. Electronically, using the service used by the college you previously attended, such as Parchment. Instructions for sending transcripts directly to COC can be found on your former institution's website.
3. By US mail. Send official transcripts to:

College of the Canyons
Admissions and Records
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Valencia, CA 91355

International Transcripts

If you have international transcripts from high school or college that need to be evaluated, please visit http://naces.org/members for a list of member organizations that can provide evaluation services. The NACES evaluation report must include a course-by-course evaluation, including grades, units, and upper or lower division designation listed for each course. Once you receive your evaluated transcript, do not open it, and bring it to the Admissions and Records office on the Valencia campus located in Canyons Hall. PLEASE NOTE: Foreign coursework will not satisfy English or Communication coursework for graduation or admission to the OTA Program, even if your school was English based.

1. Show proof of graduation from an accredited high school or the equivalent (GED).
2. Have completed the following courses with a grade of C or better and have an average of 2.5 GPA before applying to the Program:
   a. ENGL 101 (English Composition)
   b. HLHSCI 249 (Medical Terminology)
   c. Either BIOSCI 201 (Anatomy lecture/lab 4 unit class) and BIOSCI 202 (Physiology lecture/lab 4 unit class) OR  BIOSCI 204 (Anatomy and Physiology I lecture/lab 4 unit class) and BIOSCI 205 (Anatomy and Physiology II lecture/lab 4 unit class) ‡
   d. PSYCH 172 (Developmental Psychology)
   e. PSYCH 101 (Intro to Psychology) or PSYCH 240 (Abnormal Psychology) or SOCI 101 (Intro to Sociology) or ANTHRO 103 (Cultural Anthropology)
   f. COMS 105 (Fundamentals of Public Speaking)
   g. MATH 140 (Introductory Statistics)

 

‡ Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C (75%) or better before applying to the OTA Program. Pass/No Pass grades are not accepted; courses must be retaken for a letter grade and can be completed at College of the Canyons. There is a 5-year Recency Requirement for Anatomy and Physiology courses only. Completing program prerequisites does not assure admission to the program. Admission is based on space availability, fieldwork clearance requirements, and background checks. If you are enrolled in a prerequisite course when you submit your application, you must show proof of current enrollment with your submission. Admission into the Occupational Therapy Assistant program will be pending until each prerequisite submitted in the application is completed. If you are taking prerequisite courses at another institution, please verify with Counseling before applying that those courses will transfer to College of the Canyons and meet program requirements.

Once you’ve completed steps 1-4 if you still have questions about prerequisites or how to plan out the completion of prerequisites at COC, talk with a Counselor.  Or, for some quick 15-minute support, take advantage of Express Drop-In Counseling.

NOTE:
A Counseling appointment is not required in order to apply to the OTA Program, but is recommended if you are unsure about whether OTA is the right path for you, and/or if you are needing assistance planning out your sequence of prerequisite completion before being eligible to apply.

Application period is under review.

Submit an online application for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program within the application time period which is coming soon. To be considered eligible, applications must be complete, and all steps (1–5) must be successfully completed. Your application must also include the specified contact information and program-specific details.

The link will be live coming soon:
Visit the Online Application

Link coming soon!

You must submit a signed copy of the Technical Standards with your application.
All applicants are required to review the technical standards prior to applying to the program (must sign and attach complete pdf form to application).

You are responsible for maintaining a current email address with the Health Professions office and responding to requests for confirmation of your continued interest in admission into the program sent during the year. Be sure to return each such notice by the stipulated date to maintain the admission status.

• I have received the confirmation email of the OTA application submission, sent to my COC student email address.
• NO, if you do not receive within 24 hours of submission contact the HPPS office (661) 362-3557.
• YES, review and save for your records.

All OTA applicants will get a status update by June 15, 2025 (tentative) as to the next steps.  All OTA application correspondence is sent via your COC student email only.  Make sure to check your COC student email often as correspondence is time sensitive.  Refer to the OTA website under How to Apply for the correspondence timeline and any updates.